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Coffee Tasting – That’s What Matters

What is a coffee tasting? You probably know the term whiskey tasting or wine tasting. Perhaps you have already taken part in one of these tastings? In principle, coffee is no different: a coffee tasting is a professional assessment of the quality of the coffee. And best of all, everyone can in principle do a tasting – you just have to be a coffee lover.

What is coffee cupping?

Look behind the scenes of coffee and learn more about the cultivation and processing of the popular hot drink through a professional coffee tasting. Coffee cupping – that’s what the coffee professional calls the process with which he checks and evaluates the quality of the coffee based on various criteria.

When it comes to coffee cupping, the aromatic scent of the coffee is just as important as its unmistakable taste. Coffee roasters usually conduct coffee tastings in order to compare different roasting profiles and assign a price to the coffee. However, some roasting companies also organize coffee cuppings to give their customers an overview of their coffee varieties and to present different varieties. During a professional coffee tasting you will get to know the subtle differences of the popular hot drink. And you will find out: not all coffee is created equal!

Host coffee cupping at home

You can easily organize a coffee tasting yourself at home. All you need are different types of coffee, coffee drinkers who are of course very willing to take part in the tasting, and our tips. It is important that all coffees that are to be tasted for the coffee cupping are prepared under the same conditions as possible.

That means: the same recipe, the same degree of grinding of the powder, the same water temperature and the same preparation. The ratio between coffee and water must also be consistent when tasting coffee. By the way: Bad coffee beans can significantly affect the end result. So make sure you always brew two different batches of the same coffee beans. The optimum tasting temperature is around 65°C. The coffee is spread gently on the tongue with a spoon and tasted. Can you identify the different aromas and flavors?

One last tip: In order to be able to evaluate neutrally when coffee cupping, it is important to take a break of 1-2 minutes after each round and to rinse your mouth with still water.

We hope you enjoy your coffee tasting!

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Lifestyle

Coffee as Fertilizer – the Helper in the Garden

Every European consumes around 7.2 kilograms of coffee beans every year, which usually end up unnoticed in the garbage can or on the compost after brewing. Coffee is an environmentally friendly, high-quality and inexpensive fertilizer and with every cup of coffee you are doing something good for your plants. So spoil your green friends with the valuable coffee grounds!

Coffee grounds: Inexpensive fertilizer with many nutrients

Many plants need soil with sufficient nutrients to grow in order to thrive properly and develop a strong green colour. And coffee is simply ideal for this: The coffee grounds are rich in phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen and thus show many of the characteristics of a conventional fertilizer. The slightly acidic coffee can lower the pH value of peat soil and neutralize calcareous irrigation water. The potassium also ensures healthy growth of the plants. Simply mix the coffee grounds into the potting soil or sprinkle them on the compost.

Pests and bugs in the garden? coffee here!

Already knew? With some coffee grounds under the potting soil, you can easily keep pests such as voracious snails and ants out of your garden. In contrast to the hard-working earthworms, these pests cannot stand the smell of coffee. The earthworms, on the other hand, do well with coffee, supply your garden with healthy biomass free of charge and loosen the soil so that it remains well aerated.

Instructions for using coffee grounds fertilizer

In principle, all plants need fertilizer to grow well. Only seedlings should be excluded from the coffee treatment, since the tender little plants are sensitive to caffeine. Coffee works particularly well for plants in the home garden, is acidifying and is therefore particularly suitable for hydrangeas, rhododendrons, tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchini and berries. And even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can’t go wrong with coffee as a fertilizer. It is important to let the coffee grounds cool and dry before using them as fertilizer to avoid mold growth. It is therefore best to first collect the leftovers in a dry and airy place and not to run into the garden with every coffee filter.

Try it!

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Culture

The Profession of Barista – More Than Just Making Coffee

It is no longer just the coffee-to-go or a simple filter coffee. We combine a cup of coffee with aromatic coffee enjoyment and different coffee variations. But who actually conjures up the stylish little milk froth images on the surface of our coffee? It is the barista who conjures up a true work of art from a simple cup of coffee and turns coffee drinking into an experience for us. The term barista comes from the Italian and means nothing else than bartender. Roughly speaking, the profession of barista describes the activity of professionally preparing coffee in an espresso bar or a café. Much more important, however, is the passion and lifeblood of a barista, with whom every coffee creation becomes a work of art.

With know-how and passion to become a true barista artist

A barista is a true artist in his field. Passion and a fine taste make him a specialist in preparing various coffee specialties. A good barista can do them all: a strong and aromatic espresso, a frothy cappuccino or an excellent latte macchiato.

To prepare the perfect coffee, a barista needs a certain amount of theoretical knowledge and practical skills:

Theoretical knowledge for the barista profession
physical understanding
Knowledge about different types of coffee
Knowledge of coffee roasts and grinds

Practical knowledge for the barista profession
special care in the preparation
Brew coffee for the best aroma result
Operation and maintenance of an espresso machine and coffee grinder
frothing milk
Communication skills in dealing with customers
Professional customer advice
latte art
Is there training to become a barista?
There is no classic recognized training to become a barista. However, you can take part in courses and seminars with a final certificate in order to learn how to be a barista. The term barista is not protected, so in principle anyone can call themselves a barista.

Working as a barista – organization & passion

In addition to the passion for latte art and the magic of phenomenal works of art on the milk froth of the coffee, there is much more that characterizes a good barista. In addition to the technical understanding of the professional maintenance of the coffee machines, a good barista must be communicative when dealing with his guests.

Friendliness, empathy and helpfulness characterize the character traits of a barista. The barista job can be quite stressful, so baristas should be very organized. Most baristas develop their own system over time. Among other things, it can be helpful to consider which are the most popular coffee specialties.

Win coffee competitions as a barista

Trained baristas have the opportunity to compete against other coffee specialists to demonstrate their passion for coffee. In Germany, for example, there is the “German Barista Championship” once a year, in which all participants show their skills in the disciplines of cappuccino, espresso and their own creations.

Are you an absolute coffee lover and would like to drink a delicious, freshly prepared cappuccino or latte macchiato in your office that tastes like it was freshly made by a barista?

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Culture

Well-known Coffee Museums – History for Coffee Lovers

A coffee in the morning drives away sorrow and worry. But have you ever dealt with the subject of “coffee” in more detail? You can get a first impression in our “Life of a coffee bean”. Would you also like to engage physically with your favorite beverage? Then visit a coffee museum. Here you come into contact with coffee in the most diverse variations and stages – not only with the coffee powder for the espresso coffee machine. Of course, there are also various types of filter coffee machines and French press coffee makers to admire. We have listed the most famous museums in different countries for you. No matter which museum you visit, you will enter a world all of your own. We wish you a lot of fun.

Germany

The Burg roastery and its coffee museum are located in Hamburg’s warehouse district. The current premises of the museum with its espresso coffee machines and French press coffee makers used to serve as a coffee store. Visitors can explore the history of coffee in the museum – from cultivation to the cup.

Various preparation methods – filter coffee machine, fully automatic machine, espresso maker – are explained. Old billboards and coffee cans transport visitors to another time. Of course there is also the possibility to taste the coffee.

The coffee house Coffe Baum in Leipzig comprises a restaurant, various parlors, a café room and a coffee museum on four floors. The café room combines an Arabic café, a Viennese café and a French café. The exhibition rooms of the museum are located on the third floor of the coffee house. More than 500 exhibits from the history of coffee offer visitors an insight into the fascination of this hot drink. How was coffee prepared before there was a filter coffee machine? These and many other questions are answered here.

Switzerland

The coffee museum of the Swiss coffee roasting company Chicco d’Oro is located directly at the company headquarters in Belerna. The company offers a broad portfolio of coffee quality products. The museum houses exhibits from the 18th century to the present day and combines the history of the company and that of the coffee.

Historical panels guide you through the various processing methods and explain the different preparation options, such as using the French Press coffee maker. Visitors can experience the changes in coffee production and processing up close.

The Caferama is the in-house coffee museum of the Cafè Badilatti in Zuoz (near St. Moritz). The museum covers the history of coffee. But it also takes a look at the people behind the coffee cultivation and processing. Numerous exhibits – old coffee grinders, Jebenas, espresso coffee machines, French press coffee makers and much more – can be admired. At the end there is freshly roasted coffee to taste and if you like, you can buy the coffee products from the café.

Italy

Omkafe is a family run coffee roastery in Arco. In its own coffee museum, guests can travel through the history of coffee. Information about the production and roasting of different eras shows the importance of coffee. In addition to ancient traditions, the history of the company is also presented.

Various coffee machines, e.g. one of the first espresso coffee machines and filter coffee machines, invite you to take a tour.

United Arab Emirates

Anyone in Dubai can visit the Coffee Museum – entry is free. Various demonstrations of regional and international preparation methods show the diversity of coffee. There is also a library with numerous books on the subject of coffee and a gift shop. Furthermore, the rooms show a large collection of different coffee grinders, coffee pots, espresso coffee machines and other coffee accessories.

Japan

The UCC Coffee Museum in Kobe deals with the topics “History, cultivation, processing, roasting, preparation and culture of coffee” in 6 exhibition rooms. Changing monthly themes explain various aspects to visitors, for example the importance of the degree of grinding. UCC is a coffee company that performs every single aspect within the coffee production chain.

The company grows coffee on its own farms, harvests it, exports it, roasts it and sells it. The entire value chain, including a coffee tasting, is therefore reproduced in the coffee museum.

Brazil

The Santos Coffee Museum is located in the former coffee exchange in the historic center. The building alone tells a lot about the coffee trade. A great deal of attention is paid to the historical and cultural significance of coffee cultivation for Brazil. A wide range of photos, drawings, antique harvesters and more take visitors back to a time before modern espresso coffee machines existed. A cafeteria then provides visitors with aromatic coffee specialties.

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Coffee During Pregnancy – How Much is Allowed?

A cup of coffee in the morning for the perfect start to the day or an enjoyable cappuccino in the afternoon as a little break – for many Eropeans, coffee is simply a part of life. And even during pregnancy, many expectant mothers do not want to do without the popular pick-me-up. But is coffee even allowed during pregnancy? And what effects does the caffeine in coffee have on the unborn baby?

The popular hot drink gives you an energy boost and makes you feel good. The reason for this is the dose of the stimulant caffeine contained in the coffee. It increases heart rate and blood pressure rises. We feel more awake. In women who drink coffee during pregnancy, the blood flow to the placenta also decreases. The caffeine can pass through the placenta unfiltered and enters the bloodstream of the unborn baby. As a result, the baby absorbs as much caffeine as its mother. Side effects such as an increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage and low birth weight can result.

Enjoy coffee in moderation during pregnancy

But the good news for all expectant mothers is that you don’t have to do without a cup of coffee completely. A caffeine dose of around 200 milligrams per day is safe for the baby. That equates to about two to three cups of filter coffee a day. Nothing stands in the way of morning coffee during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages. This includes, for example, cola, black or green tea or chocolate.

Conclusion

Expectant mothers do not have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy. However, unborn babies consume the same dose of caffeine as mothers. It is therefore advisable to reduce coffee consumption during pregnancy and only enjoy it in moderation. It is crucial that pregnant women are only allowed to consume around 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Since caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in other drinks and foods, the specified dose can quickly be exceeded. A cup of decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative. Pregnant women can also use mint tea or a glass of fresh juice to get their circulation going.

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Culture

Buying a Coffee Machine: Yes or No? – The 5 Biggest Myths About Coffee

Everyone has probably heard of the so-called coffee myths. The most diverse rumours, some with no truth content, entwine around the aromatic favorite drink of the Europeans. They are also often used as an argument by absolute opponents of coffee. Are these claims still stopping you from buying a coffee machine? coffee perfect got to the bottom of the myths and cleared up five of the most well-known rumours. So you can buy a professional coffee machine without a guilty conscience. The best way to get yourself in the mood is with a freshly brewed coffee and read why fully automatic coffee machines make sense for the office, for example.

Myth 1: Coffee is bad for our bodies

You definitely can’t make that statement. As with many things, the first thing to look at is the amount of coffee someone is consuming on a daily basis. Because it is well known that wine is good for the heart. However, this statement refers to the enjoyment of a glass and not a whole bottle.

The same also applies to coffee. According to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), up to four cups of coffee a day can be drunk from the fully automatic office coffee machine without hesitation.

Within this framework, many studies confirm that coffee can have a positive effect on the body:

Increase in concentration and thinking ability
Reduction of pain e.g. with headaches
Protection of liver cells, e.g. against liver fibrosis
Risk reduction of Parkinson’s disease
Reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer
So you see: the professional coffee machine makes you healthier than ill!

Myth 2: Coffee dehydrates the body

It has long been said that coffee dehydrates the body. To the delight of all coffee lovers, this has been scientifically disproved. Coffee drinkers who are now buying a coffee machine or have already done so can even add the amount of coffee they have drunk to their fluid balance.

This also means that if your company owns a fully automatic coffee machine for the office, you no longer need to have a bad conscience. Anyone who quickly visits the professional coffee machine before the meeting and takes a delicious coffee specialty with them can continue to do so. Nevertheless, one or the other glass of water should be drunk in between.

Myth 3: Espresso contains more caffeine than filter coffee

Whichever professional coffee machine you own, the same applies here that you first have to consider the amount of espresso and filter coffee that is being compared. There are also other factors that influence the caffeine content:

Type of coffee or composition of the coffee blend, roasting, ratio of coffee to water, degree of grinding, brewing time and type of preparation (professional coffee machine, filter machine, capsule machine, etc.). On average, a cup of filter coffee contains about 55 mg of caffeine per 100 ml. An espresso has about 110 mg per 100 ml. If you now look at this result, you have to say that the myth is true.

But if you relate the statement to a normal espresso with 25 ml, it looks different. As a general rule, most people who prefer a coffee to an espresso because of the caffeine content are not talking about a 100ml espresso. Looking now at the caffeine content per serving, a 150ml cup of filter coffee contains about 82.5mg of caffeine . An espresso from a fully automatic coffee machine for the office, on the other hand, contains around 33 mg of caffeine. In this case the statement of this paragraph would be wrong and the myth disproved.

The question of the truthfulness of this statement is therefore in the eye of the beholder.

Myth 4: Coffee is bad for your stomach

Whether it’s a professional coffee machine or good old filter coffee: In general, coffee isn’t bad for your stomach. However, what is often to blame for an intolerance is the roasting. Industrial roasting, in which the raw beans are roasted at very high temperatures in a very short time, is often described by many coffee drinkers as unfriendly to the stomach.

Acids and bitter substances are to blame, which cannot be broken down due to the short roasting time. In addition, the beans are nicely brown on the outside, but mostly still raw on the inside. This condition is ideal for a steak, but not for coffee. Because coffee only develops its aromas after a longer, even roasting time and releases them later when brewing in the fully automatic coffee machine for the office. Therefore, always rely on high quality when it comes to coffee beans.

On the other hand, if you use long-term roasting, you should have fewer problems with tolerability. Coffee that has been refined slowly and evenly contains less chlorogenic and tannic acids. The coffee is more digestible and aromatic. So don’t demonize the coffee, just buy a coffee machine and use whole beans from long-term roasting, for example from coffee perfect. And then nothing stands in the way of the fully automatic coffee machine for the office.

Myth 5: Coffee is addictive

That’s not true, because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), caffeine is not an addictive drug. Unlike taking drugs, caffeine makes us alert and energetic, but doesn’t trigger dopamine release or a high.

Nevertheless, a certain habituation effect occurs with frequent drinkers. If you drink a few cups of coffee from the coffee machine for the office every day and then stop drinking coffee, you can suffer from withdrawal symptoms for two to three days. Headaches, tiredness and exhaustion, trembling hands and blood pressure fluctuations can occur. Those affected feel similar to going cold turkey, but it only lasts for a short time.

Again, the amount of coffee is crucial. If you have dealt with the question of buying a coffee machine, you are now one step closer to the decision. Basically anything in a healthy amount is not harmful. So sit back and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee and let the myths be myths.

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Coffee and Espresso – What are the Differences?

After getting up, a cup of coffee is the best thing in the morning to wake up. But do you prefer regular coffee or would a strong espresso be a better choice? What exactly is the difference between coffee and espresso? It’s both coffee… isn’t it?

One bean – many differences! Coffee vs espresso

Even if at first glance these are just different ways of preparing our favorite bean, coffee and espresso have many differences. From the roasting time to the preparation: we will show you the differences between coffee and espresso!

Roasting time: Roasting has a huge impact on the inner workings of the beans. Espresso beans are much darker than coffee beans – and this also affects the development of the aroma. The longer the roasting lasts, the more acid is broken down within the bean. This is why espresso tastes milder than filter coffee. Coffee is roasted for about 10 to 15 minutes, espresso for 15 to 18 minutes and therefore significantly longer. Depending on the roast, the coffee bean is yellowish to medium brown. An espresso bean is dark brown and shiny because coffee oils escape during longer roasting.

Degree of grinding: The different degrees of grinding of coffee provide different results. For the preparation of filter coffee, depending on the method, choose a medium degree of grinding. Espresso powder is ground much finer than coffee powder.

Preparation: While the preparation of a filter coffee – whether machine or hand infusion – takes quite a long time (approx. 5 – 8 minutes), a maximum of 30 seconds are required for an espresso. The following applies to coffee: A cup of hot water dribbles through a spoonful of ground coffee in three to five minutes. The medium to coarse degree of grinding offers the water enough resistance for the long brewing time and can thus optimally combine with the acids, aromas and caffeine.

Espresso powder is ground much finer than coffee powder. With an espresso maker or a portafilter machine, the hot water is pressed through the espresso powder under high pressure for a short time. As the hot espresso runs into the cup, a creamy layer forms on the surface – the crema. The brewing temperature also differs: for coffee it is between 85°C and 91°C and for espresso it is approx. 92°C +/- 2°C.

Caffeine content: Let’s come to the most important difference between coffee and espresso – the caffeine content. At the same time, we uncover a myth here: espresso has, only relatively speaking, more caffeine than coffee. 100 ml of espresso contains over 100 mg of caffeine – in the same amount of coffee, on the other hand, there are just 80 mg. But it’s the amount you drink that counts: if you drink a whole cup of coffee, you’ll end up absorbing more caffeine than with a small cup of espresso.

Last but not least, coffee and espresso not only taste different – they also work differently. A cup of espresso tastes stronger than coffee because only a small amount of water (approx. 25 ml per espresso cup) is used. On the other hand, it contains fewer acids and is therefore easier on the stomach. This is not only due to the longer roasting, but also to the shorter brewing time.

Conclusion

The beans are the same, so the key difference between coffee and espresso is how long the beans roast. The different types of preparation, degree of grinding and brewing time also have an influence on the taste and effect. Coffee is the perfect way to start the morning, and the espresso is wonderful as a gentle pick-me-up after a meal.

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Food

Cold Brew – Cold Coffee Enjoyment for Hot Summer Days

One or the other coffee lover has heard the name of the drink before: cold brew coffee. Its fame and popularity has grown over the years. Especially in the warm summer months, the cold coffee drink regularly finds its way into many households. It is not only refreshing but also offers a great advantage: once prepared, the concentrate can be kept for up to 10 days. Another advantage: you don’t need any expensive accessories to enjoy cold coffee, because a Chemex, a hand filter or a coffee maker or French press are completely sufficient. Those who like to experiment with their coffee have plenty of opportunities to adapt the drink to their individual taste.

What is cold brew coffee and where does it come from?

Anyone who now thinks that cold brew coffee is a completely new invention is wrong. Because the cold coffee originally comes from Japan and is also called “Kyoto coffee”. It was introduced there in the 17th century by Dutch traders who had no way of preparing it with hot water during their travels.

In addition, it is well suited for travel due to its durability. Nevertheless, the way of preparing cold coffee only gained attention again a few years ago and triggered a real hype in some countries. Some coffee chains have already included the trendy coffee drink in their coffee range. In addition to the coffee maker or the French press, the Chemex and the hand filter, there are now also special accessories especially for cold coffee preparation.

Can I also prepare cold brew coffee at home with the French press?

The preparation of this aromatic refreshment is extremely simple and can easily be replicated at home. However, you need one thing above all: sufficient time. If you just want to prepare a coffee for your visit, you should use the filter coffee machine. Because the preparation can take up to 12 hours – sometimes even longer.

To make cold brew coffee you need:

A glass or container with a lid – a French press also works
Freshly ground coffee
Cold water (if you want, you can filter it first)
a filter option (fine sieve, coffee filter, Chemex or stamp of the coffee maker or French press)

And then it can start:

For cold brew coffee, you must first grind the coffee coarsely, preferably a little coarser than when preparing it in a coffee maker or French press. About 150 – 200 g of coffee powder are used for 1 liter of water. The amount of coffee depends on the type of coffee and your personal taste.

Put the ground coffee in the jar, pour in the cold water, stir once and then close the lid. Now let the whole thing steep at room temperature for 8 – 12 hours without stirring again.

If you use a French press for the cold brew, you can now press down the press plunger. Even if the coffee powder is now held on the ground, there will still be particles in the coffee. It is therefore advisable to filter the coffee concentrate again with a hand filter, a chemex or otherwise. If you do not use a coffee maker but a glass, you can now also filter the coffee concentrate.

Now you can put one part of the concentrate in a glass and dilute it with one or two parts of water. Try out your personal cold brew recipe and test how strong or mild you would like to enjoy your coffee. You can add ice cubes. You can put the remaining concentrate in the fridge and use it within the next few days.

Special features of cold brew coffee

During the entire process, the coffee is not heated and does not come into contact with heat. The preparation takes place exclusively at room temperature.
The coffee concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for approx. 14 days. If you would like to enjoy a refreshing cold drink, you can always take small amounts.
Depending on taste, the concentrate can be diluted with water. In addition, ice cubes, ice cream or other ingredients can be added. There are no limits to the fantasies.
No special accessories are required for the preparation. A glass with a lid or a French press and a filter option are sufficient.
The preparation can take up to 24 hours, depending on your own taste.
Compared to conventional coffee, cold brew coffee has less acid and is therefore a stomach-friendly alternative to filter coffee.

Cold Brew Coffee vs. Ice Brew Coffee

Ice brew coffee is normal coffee that, unlike cold brew coffee, is boiled and cooled down with the help of ice cubes during the brewing process. A portafilter machine or a simple filter is best suited for the preparation. Through contact with the ice, the coffee is immediately cooled down again and the bitter substances are also removed from the drink. The Ice Brew coffee tastes wonderfully fruity and summery like a fresh and hot brewed coffee. Ice brew coffee can be refined with vanilla ice cream, especially on hot summer days. Our tip: Because of the melt water, divide the amount of water into 50% liquid and 50% ice when preparing. It tastes perfect!

Conclusion: it is worth trying out the trend

If you have a French press at home, you should definitely try the trend drink cold brew, but you can also do without it. Simply pull a freshly ground coffee from the coffee machine and off you go.

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Greek Coffee – Coffee Culture in Greece

Café Frappe, Greek coffee, and Nes

Let’s head south to sunny and warm Greece. Greek coffee, café frappé and a mocha dominate the coffee scene here. If you simply order a coffee in Greece, you will get a Nes instead of the classic black coffee crema as we know it in Germany. Nes is what the Greeks call instant coffee that is simply dissolved in hot water. The name derives from Nestlé’s Nescafé brand, which accounts for the majority of the types of instant coffee available in Greece.

These are the most popular coffee specialties of the Greeks

The café frappé, called frappé for short, is the well-known cold drink of the Greeks. Especially in summer, when it gets really hot in Greece, the frappé is particularly popular. Cold coffee, which we associate with iced coffee in Germany, differs from café frappé in that it is cooled with ice cubes instead of a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The café frappé is prepared by shaking the Nes together with some cold water and sugar in a cocktail shaker until it is foamy. The frothed coffee is poured into a tall frappé glass and filled with ice cubes and cold water. Depending on taste, cream or condensed milk can be added. Alternatively, a frappé frother can be used.

Greek coffee was originally called Turkish coffee because the Turks first brought the hot beverage to Greece. Today they differ in that, unlike Turkish coffee, Greek coffee is usually only boiled twice. Traditionally, a long-handled jug, the briki, is used for the preparation.

The Greeks still really enjoy their coffee in one of the many small cafés. On average, the Greek spends around forty minutes a day in a café. It is completely normal to linger over a cup of coffee that you have ordered in a café, while we Germans are used to ordering more.

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Specialty Coffee – for a Very Special Treat

What exactly is a specialty coffee? The term is protected by strict guidelines of the “Specialty Coffee Association of America” ​​(short: SCAA). The world’s largest specialty coffee organization tests the quality of a coffee bean based on very specific criteria. So-called Q-graders, professional coffee experts, evaluate and award the coffee. For this purpose, the SCAA has developed an evaluation system for the quality of green coffee, in which the coffee is evaluated physically and sensorially. The physical check is carried out, among other things, by identifying defects. From a sensory point of view, the coffee is evaluated in so-called cuppings (tastings) on a scale of up to a maximum of 100 points.

A specialty coffee must achieve 80 points or more on the SCA scale before it can bear this title. High quality is the most important factor, this is achieved through ecologically sustainable cultivation. However, complete transparency of the entire delivery process is also important, as well as direct communication channels from the roasters to the coffee farmers. In addition, fair wages and the promotion of social projects in the country of origin also play a major role in creating a specialty coffee.

High-quality standards for specialty coffee

The different quality differences of the coffee beans are classified in so-called grades from 1 to 5. Where 1 is the highest and 5 is the worst quality level. The types of coffee with the highest grade may then bear the title of specialty coffee. The classification is related to the number of defective beans.

With specialty coffee, only three broken, no unripe and no discolored coffee beans may be contained in 300 grams. The coffee is assessed using various criteria in order to find the best possible quality. For this purpose, five samples of one coffee are prepared in parallel in order to then evaluate the uniformity, the purity of taste and the sweetness. The coffee receives the best rating when all cups taste uniform, pure and sweet – then it is classified as a specialty coffee.

Evaluation of the coffee bean

The coffee is judged by the Specialty Coffee Organization in professional cuppings, also known as coffee tastings. This is based on the following classification:

Below 80 points: Conventional merchandise. This is ordinary coffee from the supermarket with no special taste and sometimes irregular roasting due to existing defects.
More than 80 points: This coffee is a specialty coffee. The coffee can only bear this title if it achieves more than 80 points.
80 – 84.99 points: Particularly good coffee with special taste characteristics. The aromas are finer and the coffee has no serious defects.
85 – 89.99 points: Excellent coffee with a refined taste, exceptional complexity and a special sweetness.
90 – 100 points: Absolute rarities, not even 1% of all coffees are rated that well. In this category there are only coffees with extraordinary aromas that clearly stand out from the other varieties.

The origin of a specialty coffee

The indication single origin refers to the origin of the coffee. The beans differ depending on the season and harvest time, so that they can definitely show differences in taste. For this reason, many manufacturers mix the coffee beans from different growing areas (blend) in order to retain the usual taste. However, this process loses some of the quality as many blends have a similar taste. Accordingly, a single origin, i.e. a single-variety coffee, is an indicator of the high quality of the beans and is therefore important for the production of specialty coffee.

The perfect cup of coffee: roasting and brewing

Did you know that coffee contains more than 800 aromas? During roasting, as many of these aromas as possible should unfold in order to get the best possible taste. It is important that when roasting specialty coffee, none of the special sensory properties are covered, because it is precisely these properties that make specialty coffee so special. Traditionally, the coffee is roasted gently and slowly (15-20 minutes) at a temperature of 200 to 230 degrees. Each coffee has its own roasting profile, which is precisely documented in order to bring out the special quality of the coffee bean.

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