What is Specialty Coffee?
Spoiler: it's much more than just really good coffee. At Le Piantagioni del Caffè, Specialty Coffee is not an exclusive label. It is a commitment to transparency, quality and respect, from the plantation all the way to your cup.
A Matter of Numbers – with a Human Touch.
Technically speaking, the term was first introduced by Erna Knutsen in 1974. According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), coffee can only be classified as “Specialty” if it meets exceptionally rigorous standards:
Zero primary defects in the green coffee beans.
A score of over 80/100, awarded by certified Q Graders.
Why nature alone is not enough
Specialty coffee begins with the perfect combination of altitude, soil and hand-picked coffee cherries, harvested one by one only when they have reached full ripeness. But that's only the beginning. The Specialty Coffee value chain is long and delicate. One small mistake is enough to compromise years of work on the plantation. That's why Specialty Coffee is, above all else, a team effort.
The Producer: The Producer cares for green coffee like a precious treasure
The Roaster: The Roaster develops the perfect roast profile to reveal the unique character of every origin. Without burning it or masking it.
The Barista: The Barista is the final guardian of quality. They brew each coffee with precision and, most importantly, help you understand what you're drinking. They are the ones who turn an espresso into an experience.
And then there's you: the final step in the journey of flavour. : All of this teamwork has one purpose: to reach the people who truly love coffee. Because Specialty Coffee only fulfils its purpose when it's enjoyed by those who can truly appreciate it. By choosing transparency and quality, you give meaning to the entire value chain.
The Producer
The Producer cares for green coffee like a precious treasure
The Roaster
The Roaster develops the perfect roast profile to reveal the unique character of every origin. Without burning it or masking it.
The Barista
The Barista is the final guardian of quality. They brew each coffee with precision and, most importantly, help you understand what you're drinking. They are the ones who turn an espresso into an experience.
And then there's you: the final step in the journey of flavour.
All of this teamwork has one purpose: to reach the people who truly love coffee. Because Specialty Coffee only fulfils its purpose when it's enjoyed by those who can truly appreciate it. By choosing transparency and quality, you give meaning to the entire value chain.