What is specialty coffee? Understanding what truly distinguishes it

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world today. Yet, behind this simple word lie very different realities. Just as there are fine wines, single-origin chocolates, or exceptional olive oils, there is also a category of coffee produced according to extremely high standards: specialty coffee .

But what really differentiates it from a traditional coffee? Is it solely a matter of taste, price, or fashion?

At La Réminiscence , we believe that a specialty coffee is first and foremost the expression of a terroir, the work of a producer and a precise roasting process designed to reveal the full richness of its aromas.

A definition recognized worldwide

The term specialty coffee is not a marketing ploy. It corresponds to an international definition.

A coffee is considered a specialty coffee when it obtains a score of more than 80 points out of 100 in a tasting carried out according to the protocols of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) .

This assessment takes into account numerous criteria:

• the quality of the cup;

• natural softness;

• acidity;

• balance;

• length on the palate;

• the absence of defects;

• aromatic complexity.

  
  

Even before being tasted, green coffee must also show very few physical defects, a sign of a particularly rigorous harvest and sorting process.

It all starts with planting

Great coffee is not born in the roaster.

It all begins several years earlier, on the plots of land where the coffee trees are cultivated.

Altitude, climate, botanical variety, soil richness, sun exposure, and cultivation methods all profoundly influence the future aromatic profile of coffee.

In addition to this, there is the work of the producer:

• a harvest carried out only when fully ripe;

• a manual sorting of the cherries;

• a controlled transformation process (washed, natural, honey, controlled fermentation…);

• slow and even drying.

Each decision changes the final taste of the cup.

The terroir: the identity of coffee

Coffee is a living agricultural product.

Two coffees from neighboring countries can have completely different profiles.

A variety grown at 1,800 meters altitude in Ethiopia will not offer the same aromas as one grown on the volcanic soils of Indonesia or in the mountains of Guatemala.

This is what we call terroir .

Specialty coffee seeks precisely to preserve this identity rather than to mask it.

Every origin tells a story.

Each harvest is different.

And it is this diversity that makes it so rich.

A roasting process that reveals rather than transforms

Roasting is often compared to cooking in gastronomy.

It requires precision, experience and a perfect understanding of the product.

Unlike industrial roasting, which is often very intensive in order to standardize the taste and mask the defects of the coffee, specialty roasting seeks to reveal the natural qualities of the bean.

Each origin has its own roasting profile.

The goal is not to give the coffee the taste of the roaster, but to allow the terroir to fully express itself.

At La Réminiscence , each profile is developed individually in order to highlight the unique aromatic identity of each coffee.

Why is specialty coffee more expensive?

This question comes up often.

The higher price does not stem from simply being a premium brand.

It reflects all the work done throughout the entire chain:

• lower yields;

• a selective harvest carried out by hand;

• smaller batches;

• continuous quality control;

• a rigorous selection of green coffees;

• artisanal roasting done in small quantities.

At each stage, more time and expertise are devoted to quality.

Aromas: a true sensory palette

One of the biggest surprises when discovering specialty coffee is its aromatic richness.

A coffee is not limited to coffee notes.

Depending on its origin, variety, and processing method, it can naturally evoke:

• citrus fruits;

• red berries;

• tropical fruits;

• honey;

• jasmine;

• cocoa;

• tea;

• spices;

• dried fruit.

These flavorings are never added.

They are naturally present in the grain and are simply revealed during roasting and then extraction.

An experience, more than just a drink

Specialty coffee invites you to slow down.

Worth observing.

To smell.

Worth a try.

As with a wine tasting, each cup evolves as it cools, gradually revealing new aromatic nuances.

Two extractions of the same coffee can even offer slightly different perceptions.

This sensory richness transforms coffee into a true gastronomic experience.

The Philosophy of Reminiscence

At La Réminiscence , we select each coffee for its unique identity, history and aromatic potential.

We work exclusively with carefully selected coffees from partners who share the same quality requirements.

Each origin is then precisely roasted in our workshop in Gros Morne in order to respect its identity and reveal its full complexity.

Our ambition is not simply to offer excellent coffee.

We want to showcase the extraordinary diversity that this beverage can offer when it is cultivated, selected and roasted with exacting standards.

In conclusion

Specialty coffee today represents the highest expression of the coffee industry.

It values the work of producers, respects the terroir, rewards the know-how of roasters and offers the consumer an incomparable sensory experience.

Behind each cup lies a story, a landscape, a harvest, a craftsman, and hundreds of hours of work.

Discovering specialty coffee means learning to look at coffee differently.

It is understanding that it is not just a drink meant to wake us up, but a living, complex and deeply cultural product.

At La Réminiscence , we are happy to share this vision with you, one cup at a time.

"Behind every great coffee lies a terroir, a harvest, a know-how... and the time needed to reveal it."

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Discover this philosophy in your cup

At La Réminiscence , each coffee is selected for its own identity and then roasted in Martinique to faithfully reveal its terroir.

Discover a collection of specialty coffees where each issue tells a different story, origin, and emotion.

→ Discover the collection

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