Understanding ‘Specialty Coffee’ and How It Can Up Your Coffee Game?  

Rianna, Account Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee

Walking into your local independent coffee shop, you might have heard the phrase ‘specialty coffee’ thrown around quite a bit. Perhaps it was casually mentioned by a barista adorned with tattoos and a tiny beanie. Or maybe it was hissed back at you in response to asking, “Do you do large caramel macchiatos?” Ideally, you've encountered the term in a more positive light—maybe upon ordering a simple black coffee and having your mind blown by a carefully curated selection of single-origin filters with notes of rainbows, happiness, and just a pinch of funk. It’s a phrase that often carries an air of exclusivity, tossed about haphazardly when the coffee used is anything but that of a commercial chain. For those running cafes and coffee shops, specialty coffee isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a chance to stand out in a crowded market. As of 2025, with over 650 coffee roasters in the UK (up from just 250 in 2019), it’s no surprise that specialty coffee now accounts for around 23% of all coffee served. So, what exactly is "specialty coffee"? How does it differ from its commodity counterpart? Most importantly, how can offering this premium option elevate not just the quality of your menu, but also positively impact everyone in the supply chain - from producer to consumer, and everyone in between?

Let’s dig into the world of specialty coffee and explore the opportunities it holds for your business.

What is ‘Specialty Coffee’?

First, let’s break down what "specialty coffee" really means and trace the origins of this thriving coffee movement. The term was coined in 1974 by none other than the pioneering coffee and feminist icon, Erna Knutsen. We'll dive deeper into her story in a later post, but for now, Erna introduced the term in an interview with Tea and Coffee Trade Journal, describing her innovative approach of selling smaller, more "specialty" lots of green coffee to emerging micro-roasters. This was a time when the coffee market was dominated by large-scale commercial roasters, who bought beans in bulk, often at the cost of quality.

Erna later became a founding member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), now one of the leading authorities on global coffee standards. According to these standards, specialty coffee must score at least 80 points on a 100-point scale. But what does that really mean, and who gives these scores? Simply put, coffee scoring below 80 is considered commercial or commodity coffee, while coffee graded between 80 and 89 is specialty. Anything above 89 is exceptionally rare and deemed outstanding specialty. These scores are determined through meticulous tastings by Q-Graders—certified professionals trained and licensed by the Coffee Quality Institute. They assess everything from acidity and body to aftertaste, balance, flavour, aroma, and fragrance.

The Journey of Specialty Coffee: From Bean to Cup:

How Specialty Coffee Impacts Farmers and the Supply Chain

Before diving in too deep, let’s take a step back and examine how coffee beans are graded. As the saying goes, “No coffee bean is an island,” and this is especially true when we consider the many interconnected steps in the coffee supply chain. Commodity coffee is typically grown and processed with a focus on quantity over quality. It’s traded on the New York Stock Exchange and makes up the majority of global coffee consumption. These beans are often mechanically harvested on an industrial scale, destined for supermarket shelves or instant coffee.

Specialty coffee, however, emerged as a response to this approach. It focuses on improving quality and addressing the challenging conditions faced by the farmers and workers who process our coffee. There’s more emphasis on quality control, with cherries handpicked and carefully checked for defects. From a financial perspective, specialty coffee farmers are generally paid more fairly since high-quality beans command higher prices. Additionally, the specialty coffee industry often prioritizes ‘direct trade,’ a term that describes sourcing coffee directly from farmers or producers to roasters. However, direct trade can be difficult to achieve logistically, as it’s nearly impossible to ship coffee without the help of an importer. Many roasters, including Stokes, work with specialty coffee importers like Omwani or DR Wakefield, which help bridge the gap between farmers and roasters. This system enables farmers to reinvest in their farms or join co-operatives that support the well-being of workers. The quality of the beans is influenced by several factors, including the varietal, processing method (Natural, Washed, Honey, or Fermented), rarity, altitude, and even the shipping process.

The Role of Roasters: Crafting the Perfect Roast

The next step in the chain is the green coffee buyer, where coffees are graded (remember those expert Q-Graders from earlier?). Once graded, the beans are ready to be sold to roasteries around the world. At this stage, roasters—like us here at Stokes—use their expertise to craft unique roast profiles for each specialty coffee. Coffee roasting is a true science, requiring precision and a deep understanding of flavour, as well as the inner workings of the coffee bean.

The Barista’s Touch: Bringing Specialty Coffee to Life

By now, the coffee has passed through multiple stages of quality control and has finally made its way to your local barista, their head warm from a tiny beanie, hands expertly crafting a work of art onto your latte. It’s the barista’s skill and understanding of the coffee they’re working with that truly reflects its origins, allowing the consumer to experience the masterpiece that is specialty coffee. The SCA perfectly summarizes this process stating that “Specialty can only occur when all of those involved in the coffee value chain work in harmony…from start to finish”, and that includes the consumers of this popular commodity. Responsibility falls on us as a consumerist society to continually support specialty coffee at every stage of its life, choosing quality and ethics over convenience.

Why You Should Choose Specialty Coffee for Your Business

This brings us to the question on everyone’s coffee-stained lips: why should you use specialty coffee in your business? If the points we've already covered haven't convinced you yet, consider this: the UK specialty coffee market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.5% between 2024 and 2030, equating to a staggering £1.44 billion in growth. Specialty coffee isn’t just a trend; it’s a smart investment that can elevate the quality of the coffee you serve. Much like farmers who benefit from higher-quality beans, you too can command higher prices to reflect the exceptional product you're offering.

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to splurge on £40-a-kilo single-origin beans for your house espresso. There are plenty of high-quality specialty blends available at more accessible prices, perfect for your business. Alternatively, consider offering guest coffees alongside your usual menu, giving your customers a premium specialty option that can be priced accordingly.

It’s not just cafés and coffee shops we’re talking to—offices, we see you too! In fact, 46% of employees say that access to free, high-quality coffee would encourage them to return to the office. We’re not saying staff happiness is entirely fuelled by coffee, but... well, we kind of are.

Let’s also remember the consumer’s role in this. While it’s their responsibility to choose the more ethical option, it’s equally important for business owners like you to make that choice visible. Specialty coffee comes with incredible stories—stories of real-life hardships and the ways this movement has transformed lives. By serving specialty coffee, you’re supporting these farmers and workers, showing appreciation for the hard work they do every day to bring that perfect cup to you.

Specialty coffee is here to stay, so why not embrace it and serve a product that benefits everyone along the supply chain?

Interested in exploring our specialty coffee range? Click the link below to view our current offerings