At Goldberry Roasting Company, quality isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the heart of everything we do. We roast small‑batch coffees with clarity, balance, and ethical sourcing in mind. One of the key terms you’ll hear in specialty coffee circles is “specialty coffee”. But what does that really mean? And how do we determine which coffees make the cut?

In this guide we’ll explore the specialty coffee definition, how coffees are evaluated and scored, and what this means for you, the coffee drinker.

What Does “Specialty Coffee” Mean?

According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), specialty coffee is defined as a coffee or a coffee experience that is recognized for its distinctive attributes and that has a higher value within the marketplace.

In practical terms, specialty coffee means:

• Beans grown under excellent conditions (right altitude, rainfall, variety, soil)

• Handpicked or selectively harvested cherries

• Minimal defects in the green beans

• Careful processing, roasting, and brewing to highlight the bean’s unique character

• Traceability—knowing origin, farm or cooperative, processing method

• Flavor that stands out from commodity/industrial coffees

At Goldberry, we emphasize these principles in our sourcing and roasting. We believe specialty isn’t just the bean—it’s the story, the craft, and the final cup.

Why the Definition Matters

When a coffee is called “specialty,” it signals something important:

• Quality: You’re getting beans that meet rigorous standards, not just average commodity lots.

• Transparency: You can learn about origin, processing, roast date, and more.

• Flavor Experience: Coffees can be more complex, expressive of origin, and enjoyable to brew.

• Ethics & Sustainability: Specialty often goes hand‑in‑hand with ethical sourcing, small‑batch roasting, and direct relationships.

For Goldberry Roasting Company, specialty coffee aligns perfectly with our mission: hand‑roasting with clarity and nuance while forging meaningful partnerships with growers.

How Is Specialty Coffee Scored?

Coffees that carry the specialty label typically go through formal evaluation. Here are key steps and criteria:

1. Green Bean Quality

Before roasting, green beans are evaluated for defects, size uniformity, moisture content, and other physical parameters. A common benchmark: no primary defects, and very few secondary defects per sample.

2. Cupping & Sensory Evaluation

After roasting, coffees are cupped—a standardized tasting method—where trained tasters assess aroma, flavor, body, aftertaste, acidity, balance, sweetness, uniformity and more. The SCA’s criteria include such attributes.

3. Scoring Scale

A widely‑accepted standard: coffees must score at least 80 points out of 100 to be considered specialty. The breakdown commonly is:

• 90‑100: Outstanding

• 85‑89.99: Excellent

• 80‑84.99: Very Good

It’s important to note: scoring isn’t everything. Some newer frameworks (e.g., the SCA’s Coffee Value Assessment) emphasize holistic value—sustainability, social impact, etc.—alongside flavor.

How This Works in Practice at Goldberry

At Goldberry Roasting Company:

• We source beans that meet high standards: from farms and cooperatives that focus on quality, traceability, and ethical practices.

• We roast carefully, aiming to preserve the distinctive attributes of each coffee origin—floral, fruity, cocoa‑rich, sweet, bright—rather than masking them.

• We label our coffees clearly, often noting origin, roast date, processing, and tasting notes so you know what you’re buying.

• We believe in the specialty coffee journey: from farm to roaster to your mug.

When you purchase a bag from us, you’re investing in more than just beans. You’re supporting growers, craftsmanship, freshness, and flavor.

What to Look For as a Consumer

If you’re shopping for specialty coffee and want to ensure you’re getting something truly excellent, keep an eye out for:

• A roast date on the bag (freshness matters)

• Origin and cooperative/farm information

• Tasting notes and roast level

• A reputable roaster who supports small‑batch, traceable sourcing

• Services or transparency from the roaster about their sourcing and roasting philosophy

At Goldberry, we check all these boxes—so when you see our bag, you can feel confident in the specialty‑grade quality.

The phrase “specialty coffee definition” points to much more than a buzzword—it highlights a meaningful standard for quality, ethics, flavor and experience. At Goldberry Roasting Company, we live by this definition. We believe your cup should tell a story of origin, care, and craft.

Whether you’re brewing a pour‑over at home or enjoying an espresso in our Ashland roastery, know that the beans in your cup have been selected, roasted, and served with purpose.

Ready to explore specialty coffee done right?

Check out our current lineup of single‑origin and blend offerings.