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October 2026

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

5 minSpecialty 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.30 OctCoffee

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

9 minThe 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.30 OctCoffee

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

4 minSCAA became the SCA in 2017 after merging with its European counterpart. See the timeline, what changed, and which old SCAA terms still matter today.30 OctCoffee

Specialty vs. Gourmet vs. Premium Coffee: What’s the Real Difference?

4 min'Gourmet' and 'premium' are marketing words; 'specialty' has a quality standard. Learn how to tell them apart and what to check on the label.30 OctCoffee

Third Wave Coffee Explained: How Specialty Became a Movement

3 minThird wave coffee treats coffee as an artisan product. Learn who coined the term, what the three waves are, who the big names are and what's debated.30 OctCoffee

Is Specialty Coffee Worth the Price? What You’re Actually Paying For

4 minWhy specialty coffee costs more, what you're paying for, the real cost per cup at home, and when it's worth it. Updated with 2026 coffee price data.30 OctCoffee

The Best Specialty Coffee in 2026: How to Choose and Where to Buy

4 minHow to find the best specialty coffee in 2026: what the top-rated lists show, how to match beans to your brew method, and a checklist before you buy.30 OctCoffee

How to Buy Specialty Coffee Beans: 9 Things to Read on the Bag

4 minLearn how to read a specialty coffee bag: roast date, origin, process, variety, altitude, roast level and more. A 9-point checklist for buying great beans.30 OctCoffee

Best Specialty Coffee Subscriptions of 2026, Compared

4 minHow to choose a specialty coffee subscription in 2026: roaster-direct vs. curated marketplaces, what testers recommend, and what to check before you subscribe.30 OctCoffee

Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in the World: How to Judge One (and 15 to Know)

4 minHow to judge a specialty coffee roaster, plus 15 roasters worth knowing across the US, UK, Europe and Asia, based on top lists and industry guides.30 OctGear

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

4 minCan 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.30 OctCoffee

Specialty Instant Coffee: Is Freeze-Dried Finally Good Enough?

3 minSpecialty instant coffee has improved, but how close is it to fresh-brewed? What tests found, how it works, what it costs, and who it's for.30 OctCoffee

Best Specialty Decaf Coffee (and How Quality Decaf Is Made)

4 minHow specialty decaf is made, which decaffeination methods preserve flavor (Swiss Water, sugarcane EA, CO2) and what to look for when you buy decaf beans.30 OctGeographies

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

4 minHow 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.

Brew of the week

Gedeb washed, 1:17 at 93 °C

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