Exploring the world of professional coffee requires taking into account fundamental aspects, and one of the pillars is the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and providing knowledge from coffee growers to baristas and coffee enthusiasts. coffee from all over the world.
The SCA has managed to promote valuable information about specialty coffee through events, world championships and a research department, becoming a stimulant for the coffee community.
For those interested in diving into this world , the SCA offers programs that cover various coffee skills, sustainability and technical aspects. It is suggested to start with a beginner level to become familiar with the topic.
The SCA was notable for its creation in 2017 , merging the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). Since then, it has demonstrated its commitment to all stages of coffee and the promotion of specialty coffee.
Their certificate , the "Q-Grader certification", is recognized in more than 100 countries, and those who obtain it are highly valued by employers around the world.
The SCA considers a specialty coffee to be one that has gone through a rigorous process, from manually picking the cherries to roasting and preparation. A certified Q Grader evaluates coffee based on several attributes, and to be considered specialty coffee, it must obtain a score of more than 80 out of 100.
To carry out a cupping under the SCA protocol, five cups of each type of coffee that you want to cup are prepared. This allows you to evaluate the consistency and detect possible defects in the coffee. The recommended amount is 8.25 g of coffee per 250 ml of water.
The SCA assesses aspects such as dry fragrance , aroma when adding water, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body and balance, among other attributes. The sweetness, uniformity and cleanliness of the coffee is also evaluated.
Specialty coffee stands out for its production stage considered an art, focused on maximum quality and sustainability. It is harvested carefully and manually, and roasting and preparation are key stages to obtain the perfect cup in aroma and flavor.
In contrast , commercial coffee may include low-quality beans, does not focus as much on manual harvesting or the roasting process, and usually has a higher degree of roasting to cover possible defects.
In short , specialty coffee is a unique experience, with a rich history behind it and care in every detail, which makes it a delight for the most demanding palates. Tebullient Coffee offers a wide variety of specialty coffees so that each person can enjoy their preferred flavor and aroma.