CoffeeCover story · 5 min

What Is Specialty Coffee? The Complete Guide to the 80-Point Standard

Specialty coffee is high-quality coffee scoring 80+ points, traceable from farm to cup. Learn the SCA definition, how it's scored and how to spot it.

Read the story

In this issueOct 2026

CoffeeSpecialty Coffee Association (SCA): What It Is and Why It Matters CoffeeSCAA vs. SCA: What Happened to the Specialty Coffee Association of America? CoffeeSpecialty vs. Gourmet vs. Premium Coffee: What’s the Real Difference?

Coffee

Varieties, processes and the coffee itself, from cherry to cup.

All Coffee

Coffee9 min

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA): What It Is and Why It Matters

The SCA sets the standards behind specialty coffee: cupping, the Golden Cup, certified brewers, Q Graders and how SCAP and BSCA use or adapt its grading.

Coffee4 min

SCAA vs. SCA: What Happened to the Specialty Coffee Association of America?

SCAA became the SCA in 2017 after merging with its European counterpart. See the timeline, what changed, and which old SCAA terms still matter today.

Gear

Grinders, scales, kettles, and what actually matters.

All Gear

Gear4 min

Specialty Coffee Pods: Can Nespresso and K-Cups Ever Be Specialty?

Can pods be specialty coffee? What to look for in Nespresso-compatible and K-Cup pods, where pods fall short, and when beans are the better choice.

Geographies

Regions, maps and the places that shape the cup.

All Geographies

Geographies4 min

How to Find Specialty Coffee Near You: 7 Signs of a Great Café or Roaster

How to find specialty coffee near you: tools to search, 7 signs of a real specialty café or roaster, and questions to ask at the counter.

All stories

Brew of the week

Gedeb washed, 1:17 at 93 °C

Blueberry, jasmine, a clean finish. Three minutes, medium-fine grind.