What Is Specialty Coffee? A Deep Dive Into Craft, Quality, and Why Neobean Sets the Standard

In the world of coffee, there’s ordinary, and then there’s specialty coffee. This term has become a symbol of quality, ethics, and craftsmanship, yet many coffee drinkers are still unsure what sets it apart.

So what is specialty coffee, and why is it worth the premium price? How is it scored, and what makes it so different from the bagged coffee at your local supermarket? In this guide, we’ll break down the definition, history, and value of specialty coffee—and show how Neobean is setting a higher standard with freshly roasted, single-origin coffees from the most celebrated coffee-growing countries in the world.

A Brief History of Specialty Coffee

The rise of specialty coffee began in 1974 when Erna Knutsen first coined the term in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. She used it to describe high-quality beans from specific microclimates with unique and distinctive flavor profiles.

Over time, specialty coffee became the hallmark of what’s now known as the Third Wave Coffee Movement; a global shift focused on transparency, sustainability, and honoring the origin of every bean.

What Is the Specialty Coffee Association?

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the global authority on what defines coffee quality. According to the SCA, specialty coffee must meet strict standards during grading and tasting:

• It must score 80 points or above on a 100-point cupping scale.

• It must have no primary defects and only minimal secondary ones.

• It must exhibit clean, complex, and vibrant flavor characteristics.

So, what is specialty coffee? It’s coffee that has been professionally evaluated, carefully processed, and responsibly sourced—with quality verified at every step, from seed to cup.

Why Is Specialty Coffee Expensive?

If you’ve ever asked, Why is specialty coffee expensive?—here’s why:

Every aspect of specialty coffee production involves more labor, higher standards, and smaller yields:

• Handpicked at peak ripeness, not strip-picked or machine-harvested.

• Processed with care using methods like washed, honey, or natural drying—each impacting flavor.

• Grown in optimal conditions, often at higher elevations, in countries with deep-rooted coffee traditions.

• Graded, cupped, and sorted with precision to meet strict SCA standards.

• Roasted in small batches, with meticulous attention to origin-specific profiles.

At Neobean, we take it even further, roasting every order fresh so you never have to settle for stale beans off a store shelf.

What Makes Specialty Coffee Special?

Great question. What makes specialty coffee special is more than just flavor—though the taste is a big part of it. It’s about:

• Traceability: Knowing where your coffee comes from, who farmed it, and how it was grown.

• Sustainability: Supporting ethical growing and trading practices that protect the environment and improve lives.

• Transparency: From farmer to roaster, you can trace every step of its journey.

• Craftsmanship: Every part of the process is intentional, measured, and focused on excellence.

It’s not just about what you drink, it’s about how it was made and who made it.

Neobean: Setting a Higher Standard in Specialty Coffee

At Neobean, we don’t just sell coffee—we deliver a curated experience that highlights the absolute best from the world’s most iconic coffee countries. Here are the Top 6 Reasons Neobean Stands Out:

1. Roasted to Order—Always

We don’t roast in bulk and store our beans. Every bag of Neobean coffee is roasted only when you order it. That means maximum freshness, better aroma, and full flavor potential something no supermarket shelf can compete with.

2. We Only Source the Best Specialty Coffees in the World

All our beans score 80+ points, meeting strict SCA criteria for excellence. We work directly with importers who uphold fair pricing, traceability, and quality control.

3. We Specialize in Single-Origin Coffees From 10 Iconic Countries

Our coffees come from Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Yemen, and Costa Rica. These countries are known for producing the most distinct and high-scoring coffees in the world—each origin offering a taste that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

4. We Curate With Purpose, Not Volume

You won’t find endless SKUs and generic blends. Every coffee we carry is chosen for its excellence and rarity. If it’s not the best from its origin, we don’t offer it.

5. Freshness That Supermarkets Can’t Match

Most supermarket coffee has been roasted months ago, losing its character and complexity. At Neobean, we roast to order and ship fast—so you’re drinking days-old, not months-old beans.

6. We Support Ethical and Transparent Sourcing

We partner with importers and cooperatives that honor the work of the farmers through fair pricing, traceability, and long-term sustainability.

Experience the Diversity of Flavor in Specialty Coffee

One of the most beautiful things about specialty coffee is the diversity of flavor profiles. Unlike conventional coffees that are often bitter or bland, specialty coffees can be:

• Fruity and floral (think Ethiopia or Kenya)

• Nutty and chocolatey (think Peru or Guatemala)

• Bold and spicy (think Indonesia or Yemen)

• Bright and citrusy (think Panama or Costa Rica)

These flavors are shaped by the bean’s origin, altitude, climate, and processing method—and they’re a major reason specialty coffee is beloved by connoisseurs around the globe.

Every cup is an adventure. Every brew is a new discovery.

Explore the World Through Our Specialty Coffee Subscription

Want to explore all these flavors for yourself?

Our Neobean Specialty Coffee Subscription is designed to take you on a curated global coffee journey—one country at a time.

Each month, subscribers receive a freshly roasted single-origin coffee from one of our 10 handpicked countries. That means a new origin, new flavor profile, and new experience in every delivery.

It’s the perfect way to:

• Broaden your coffee palate

• Discover rare and exceptional coffees

• Stay stocked with ultra-fresh beans, roasted to order

• Connect to the story behind every sip

Final Thoughts

Specialty coffee is more than just a category—it’s a movement built on integrity, quality, and deep respect for craftsmanship. From the farms where it’s grown to the way it’s roasted, specialty coffee represents the gold standard of what coffee can—and should—be.

At Neobean, our mission is to help you experience this in every cup. With single-origin beans from the world’s top coffee-producing countries, roasted fresh just for you, we invite you to taste the world’s finest coffees—without compromise.

Ready to experience what makes specialty coffee special?
Start your journey today with a bag—or better yet, subscribe and explore a new country each month with Neobean.