Specialty coffee is considered the finest coffee, evaluated by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) or the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). It follows strict cultivation, processing, and roasting standards. Let’s dive deeper into this exceptional type of coffee!

Defined

Specialty coffee generally refers to Arabica coffee. However, Robusta also has a specialty category known as Fine Robusta.

Arabica coffee is cultivated in favorable natural conditions, with meticulous care, harvesting, and processing. To be classified as specialty coffee, it must score 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale by the SCA and CQI. This coffee is easily recognizable for its cleanliness and enticing flavor. You’ll notice natural fruity notes, not from flavoring but from the bean itself. The flavor varies based on the region, processing method, and roasting level.

Flavor Profile

Due to its superior quality, specialty coffee quickly wins the hearts of coffee lovers. Each coffee bean represents more than just quality and flavor; it tells the story of a meticulous, closed-loop production process that results in a perfectly crafted cup of coffee.

To ensure the flavor, the coffee cherries must be fully ripe (100%), and every stage—from cultivation, care, and harvesting to processing—must be carefully managed. Currently, the highest-rated specialty coffees on the market are Fine Robusta and Specialty Arabica, praised for their distinctive taste and the inspirational stories behind their cultivation.

Processing Methods

Unlike commercial coffee, specialty coffee undergoes rigorous processing standards to achieve genuine quality. However, the following are some of the basic processing methods:

• Full-Washed Processing: Also called wet processing, this is the most commonly used method. After harvest, the coffee cherries are de-pulped, soaked in water to ferment and remove the mucilage, then washed again before drying for about a week. This method is costly due to the investment in machinery, resulting in a higher price.
• Unwashed/Dry/Natural Processing: Known as dry processing, this method is seldom used for specialty Arabica coffee in Vietnam, but it is more common in water-scarce regions like Africa. The coffee cherries are dried naturally, resulting in sweeter and more complex flavors.
• Honey Processing: Similar to dry processing, this method leaves a layer of mucilage around the coffee bean, which dries and gives the beans a sweet flavor. It is rarely used but can produce distinctive results.

The processing techniques for specialty coffee are complex and depend on various standards. After processing, the beans are graded by weight, sorted by size (S14, S16, S18), and checked for defects before being prepared for the next steps.

Read more: Arabica Specialty Coffee

Specialty Coffee Standards

Specialty coffee is assessed by certified Q-Graders. Only after passing rigorous and transparent inspections can the coffee be recognized as “specialty.” This contributes to the higher price of specialty Arabica coffee compared to regular coffee.

• Grown and cultivated in farms that meet specific soil, water, altitude, and climate standards.
• Expert care in cultivation and farming techniques.
• Handpicked only when fully ripe (usually 100%).
• Proper processing and storage methods.
• Roasted with precise control over temperature, time, and storage.
• Achieves a cupping score of 80+ according to SCA or CQI standards.

In Vietnam, specialty coffee is often grown in provinces like Lam Dong, Son La, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak. The favorable conditions in these regions produce high-quality specialty coffee.

At VCU, we take pride in being a supplier of high-quality specialty coffee that meets stringent standards for production, processing, and roasting.

If you’re looking for stable, high-quality coffee at a great price, contact VCU now for consultation and pricing!

Contact Information

VCU Joint Stock Company (VCU JSC)
Address:
– Roasting Facility: Group 6, Chu Prong Town, Chu Prong District, Gia Lai Province
– Green Bean Facility: Iave Commune, Chu Prong District, Gia Lai Province

– Hotline: +84 866 895 379

– Fanpage: VCU – Vietnam Coffee United

– Email: info@vietnamcoffeeunited.com