Especially for you
These days specialty coffee is all the rage. But this new trend in coffee consumption might leave some coffee lovers asking, “what is specialty coffee? And why exactly are people starting to enjoy it at home?" Well, to discover more about this keen mode of coffee, keep reading!
What is specialty coffee?
To fully understand and appreciate specialty coffee it is important to understand the different waves of coffee and the coffee supply chain. The different waves of coffee refer to three (or four depending on who you ask) major trends in coffee production and consumption. The waves go a little something like this;
- First wave- This wave of coffee featured large, mass production of coffee beans. This wave emphasized quantity over quality and unfortunately is strongly tied to colonialism, exploitation, and industrialized factory farming. Big companies would mass farm lower quality coffee plants, like robustas, dark roast them to mask any flavor discrepancies, and then finely grind them. The idea was to sell massive cans of coffee grounds to be used in homes or diners. The workers would be forced to work long hours for very little and some cases no pay.
- Second wave- The second wave of coffee saw lots of coffee consumption shift to coffeehouses around the late 80s and early 90s. This movement saw cafes and coffee houses start to add some pizzazz to their coffee with confectionary beverages like the frappuccino. The emphasis was largely on making coffee palatable and drawing attention to potential consumers with flashy variations that featured cream and other goodies. But interestingly this movement also made drinkers more curious and aware of where their coffee beans came from. With an emphasis on making coffee taste good as opposed to just being a drink for an energy boost like in the first wave, people began to be interested in how the beans naturally tasted. Cafes would advertise what type of beans they were using and the region they came from.
- Third wave- The current (again, some folks think we are on the fourth wave) wave of coffee we are in is in many ways a reaction to the first wave of coffee. Third-wave coffee places the focus on the supply chain for coffee beans, the farmers and farms that work hard to provide the beans, the region the beans have come from, the environment the beans grow in, and how we can sustain it. Third-wave coffee is often used simultaneously and even interchangeably with artisanal and specialty coffee. Third-wave coffee aka specialty coffee focuses on high-quality coffee that highlights the unique and diverse flavor and aroma palettes different regions have to offer. Coffee farmers are paid fair wages and emphasis is placed on sustainability. In this day and age of coffee specialty coffee is the only way to caffeinate!
But why are people enjoying specialty coffee at home?
The trend of enjoying specialty coffee at home has also been becoming a more common occurrence. Today many people are conscious of their consumptive habits. Many people would prefer to pay a little more if that means they are ;
- Enjoying a better and higher quality product.
- Helping to make coffee farmers' lives better by allowing them to get paid fair wages
- Helping to be sustainable and maintain the earth.
- Many coffee lovers are also more attuned to how at-home brewing works and so the desire to get whole beans and brew with them also makes specialty coffee consumption more popular at home.
What are some great specialty coffee beans you can enjoy today?
Luckily here at 29 Coffee Roasters, we have a huge catalog of only the best specialty beans. If you are looking for great quality coffee that is sustainable and fair trade then look no further. Here are a few beans that we hope you will enjoy!
- Kenya Gatomboya
Hailing from Kenya’s Microlot Aa Gatomboya, our Kenya Gatomboya single origin is an excellent example of specialty coffee. Kenya’s impressive catalog of flavors and aromas is on display with our Kenya Gatomboya. What are these great flavors and aromas you ask? Chocolate, berries, currants, and a truly classic and elegant pastiche of only the best in specialty coffee. These beans are strong and ideal for a morning cuppa.
- Blue Bianca
This single-origin specialty coffee comes to us from Indonesia’s Blue Bianca Giling Basa. These beans are truly special, a treasure among coffee beans, a perfect example of specialty coffee, and a bean for coffee enthusiasts the world over. The flavor and aroma palette of Blue Bianca includes citrus, berry, ruby grapefruit, and some sweet, bittersweet, and even biscuity flavors come out to play when you brew these beans. Another strong bean, choose Blue Bianca specialty coffee beans for a quick morning wakeup or for perking up on a lazy afternoon.
Specialty coffee especially for you!
Here at 29 Coffee Roasters, we have prepared only the best specialty coffee beans and specialty blends. With the third (or fourth) wave of coffee going strong, we hope our beans can contribute to a world where fair trade, sustainability, and high-quality beans are the norm. Happy brewing!