Coffee & Barista
Specialty coffee vs regular coffee: why the difference really tastes
What is specialty coffee? Why does it cost more? And above all: is it really worth it? The barista at Carrera Café explains everything, without unnecessary jargon.
Specialty coffee
The official definition
The term "specialty coffee" refers to coffees that score 80 points or more out of 100 in a standardized evaluation by the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association). It is a rigorous certification that takes into account origin, cultivation method, bean processing, and aroma profile.
Less than 10% of the world's coffee production meets this standard. At Carrera Café, it's our only purchasing criterion.
The quality chain
From bean to cup
1. Plantation
Altitude, microclimates, cherry variety, farming practices. It all starts here. A specialty coffee comes from an identified plantation with controlled practices.
2. Harvesting
Selective hand-picking, cherry by cherry. Unlike massive mechanical harvests, only perfectly ripe cherries are selected.
3. Processing
Washed, natural, honey: post-harvest processing deeply influences the coffee's aromas. Each method gives a different profile.
4. Roasting
The art of the roaster: revealing the aromas of the bean without burning them. Specialty coffees are often roasted more gently to preserve complexity.
5. The preparation
The grind, pressure, temperature, extraction time: the barista is the last link in the chain. A great coffee can be ruined by poor preparation.
The difference in the mouth
What you will really taste
Ordinary coffee
- Pronounced bitterness, sometimes burnt
- Simple aromas, little complexity
- Short or nonexistent finish
- Astringent sensation
Specialty coffee
- Balance: acidity, sweetness, body
- Complex aromas: fruit, flowers, chocolate
- Long and pleasant finish
- Silky, clean texture
Why it costs more
The real explanation
A specialty coffee costs more because every step of its production is more careful, slower, more human. Producers are better paid, processes are more rigorous, quantities are smaller. It’s the exact opposite of industrial coffee.
Producer price
2-5x higher
Volume
Small quantities
Traceability
Total
In your cup
+ $0.50 to $1
At Carrera Café
Our specialty selection
At Carrera Café, we only serve specialty coffees. Our beans are selected by our partner roaster for their specific aromatic notes: dark chocolate, citrus, hazelnut. The choice changes with the seasons and arrivals. What doesn’t change: the standard.
The barista's advice
"The best way to understand the difference: come drink an espresso with us, then compare it to what you usually drink. You won’t be able to pretend not to see the difference anymore."
Experience the difference
Specialty coffee at Carrera Café
Rue du Petit-Champlain, Québec. Only specialty coffees selected by our baristas.
See our coffee selection
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