What is coffee?

We know what you’re thinking, we all know what coffee is! You know, that magical beverage, the nectar of the gods, that helps us all rise and shine in the morning. However, like many things, coffee is much more complex than it seems.

The journey of coffee actually begins inside a coffee cherry, and several factors contribute to transforming the seed into the cup of joe we enjoy. From the picking process to how it’s processed, each step demands skill and knowledge to ensure we get the best possible cup of coffee. With this in mind, the terms “specialty” and “commodity” have emerged.

What is specialty coffee?

It’s time to cut to the chase- let’s clarify what specialty coffee actually is. Specialty coffee refers to coffee that has been graded by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and has received a score of over 80 points on their cupping scale.

Out of 100, this point system allows a coffee to be tested on multiple factors such as physical characteristics, flavour (aroma, body, acidity, etc), how it has been processed, the type/variety of bean and sustainable practices. The individuals who perform this ritual are known as Q Graders (Quality Graders), and they are appointed by the SCA.

After evaluating all factors, coffee scoring below 80 is classified as commodity coffee, which you generally find at supermarkets or coffee chains (but never at Two Chimps) 😉 We only get the good stuff that scores 80+ (it’s nothing but the best for you lovely lot!)

What is cupping?

Coffee cupping is a technique used to assess coffee based on its sensory characteristics, such as aroma and flavour. To perform cupping, coffee beans are ground and placed in a small bowl, and near-boiling water is poured over them in a circular motion.

After a few minutes, you’ll need to “break the crust.” This means using two spoons to gently scrape away the foamy layer on top. Doing so releases the full flavours and aroma of the coffee and allows you to taste the brewed coffee more effectively. Like the crema on an espresso, it looks great but is actually quite bitter and not representative of the coffee’s true flavour.

The coffee is tasted over several minutes, allowing you to observe how the flavours change as it cools. If you’d like to try this yourself, read more below!

How to cup coffee like a pro!

Why do we love specialty coffee?

We will always love specialty coffee for many reasons, so let’s check them out!

1. The Flavour

Obviously, the most important thing is that it tastes AMAZING. We love the consistency and unique notes of specialty coffee and would never roast anything else. This all comes down to them being Arabica, hand-picked, roasted and processed with the best practices to ensure the best flavours every time.

2. Green Values

As a carbon-neutral business, we appreciate the environmental benefits of specialty coffee. Specialty beans are generally cultivated with fewer chemicals than commodity coffee and produce less waste.

First, the cherries are handpicked at the peak of ripeness, allowing underripe cherries to mature instead of being picked and discarded. In contrast, commodity coffees are often harvested using machinery that strip-picks all the fruit from the branch, regardless of its ripeness. This leads to more waste, as some of this fruit is ultimately discarded.

Smaller-sized estates prefer using natural fertilisers, such as discarded coffee cherry pulp, instead of chemical fertilisers. This practice helps achieve the best flavours without compromising the natural characteristics of the beans. The same principle applies to decaffeinated coffee, which is processed using sparkling water or a sugarcane solution rather than chemicals like methylene chloride.

3. Ethically sourced via a small supply chain

Our specialty coffees are ethically sourced from single estates that have often been part of the coffee industry for generations. We take pride in knowing that purchasing specialty coffee from these locations supports smaller farming communities.

We source from a small supply chain consisting of us, our coffee supplier, and the farm itself. This allows a larger portion of the profits to go directly back to those who grew the coffee!

So, as you can see, there’s a lot to love about specialty coffee!