From the Gist Engine · July 11, 2026

Lifestyle

What Defines Specialty Grade Coffee

The gist

Specialty grade coffee is coffee that scores 80 points or above on a 100-point scale by professional tasters and is free from defects, meaning it has exceptional flavor and quality.

Explain like I'm 5

It's like when you pick the best, yummiest apples from a tree instead of the bruised or sour ones — specialty coffee is the tastiest and highest quality coffee beans.

Big picture

Specialty grade coffee matters because it ensures a better drinking experience and supports farmers who grow coffee with care and skill, promoting quality over quantity in the coffee industry.

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