Why Speciality Coffee Costs More (But It's Worth It)

When you walk into your local coffee shop, you may notice that the prices for speciality coffee are often higher than the coffee you can pick up at the grocery store. This can leave some people wondering - why is speciality coffee more expensive? Is it really worth the extra cost?

The truth is, there are several factors that contribute to the higher price tag of speciality coffee. But once you understand the care and attention that goes into producing these premium beans, you'll see why the extra investment is well worth it.

Quality of Beans

The first and most important factor is the quality of the coffee beans themselves. Speciality coffee is made from the top 2% of Arabica coffee beans in the world. These beans are carefully selected for their optimal growing conditions, processing, and roasting. Commodity coffee, on the other hand, is often made from lower-grade beans that are mass-produced.

The rigorous selection process for speciality coffee means that farmers and roasters have to pay close attention to every step, from cultivation to harvesting. This level of care and attention naturally increases the cost, but it also results in a far superior product.

Farming Practices

Speaking of cultivation, the farming practices used for speciality coffee are another key factor in the price. Speciality coffee is typically grown using sustainable and ethical methods that prioritize quality over quantity. This includes things like hand-picking the cherries, processing the beans with care, and avoiding the use of harsh chemicals.

These farming practices may be more labour-intensive and yield smaller harvests, but they result in beans with a deeper, more complex flavour profile. Commodity coffee, on the other hand, is often grown using more intensive and industrialized methods that maximize yield at the expense of quality.

Processing and Roasting

Once the coffee beans are harvested, the processing and roasting methods also play a big role in the final cost. Speciality coffee beans are processed with great attention to detail, using techniques like wet processing or honey processing to enhance the flavour. They are then roasted by skilled professionals who carefully monitor the temperature and duration to bring out the best in each bean.

This level of care and expertise is simply not feasible for mass-produced commodity coffee, which is often roasted in large batches with less oversight.

Supply Chain

Another factor that contributes to the higher price of speciality coffee is the supply chain. Speciality coffee roasters often have direct trade relationships with the farmers, cutting out the middlemen and ensuring that a larger portion of the profits go back to the source. This also allows for greater transparency and traceability, which is important for ethically-minded consumers.

Commodity coffee, on the other hand, is typically sourced through a more complex and opaque supply chain, with multiple brokers and distributors taking a cut along the way.

Flavor Profile

Ultimately, the higher price of speciality coffee is a reflection of the incredible flavour and complexity that these beans offer. Speciality coffee is known for its nuanced notes, balanced acidity, and overall depth of flavour - a far cry from the flat, one-dimensional taste of commodity coffee.

This freshness and uniqueness is what makes speciality coffee so appealing to discerning coffee drinkers. And while it may cost a bit more, the experience of sipping a perfectly brewed cup of speciality coffee is truly worth the investment.

So the next time you're tempted to reach for the cheaper option, remember that the extra cost of speciality coffee is a reflection of the care, attention, and expertise that goes into every single bean. It's an investment in a truly exceptional coffee experience.