How to Recognize High-Quality Specialty Coffee (Professional Guide)
1. SCA Score of 80+ True specialty coffee is formally defined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as: 80 points and above (graded on a 100-point scale by certified Q-graders) No primary defects; minimal secondary defects If the bag states: “SCA 86”, “Q-graded”, “Cup score 88” → this is a strong sign of authenticity. 2. Traceability & Transparency Specialty coffee always provides detailed origin information, typically: Country Region Farm / Cooperative Producer name Altitude (in masl; 1,600+ masl usually indicates high density & better flavor) Variety (e.g., Geisha, Bourbon, Caturra,...
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