Everything About Specialty Coffee

Specialty can only occur when all of those involved in the coffee value chain work in harmony.

According to the Specialty Coffee Association, coffee beans should go through a process in which each of them is graded from 0 to 100 points. This stage is known as cupping. So, for them to be considered specialty coffee, a certified grader must evaluate them and give them at least 80 points.

Yes, it seems like a lot, but it is a very demanding job to offer the most delicious flavors of one of the most popular drinks in the world. In that sense, if an expert finds too many defects in a sample of green and unroasted coffee beans, they will be labeled as regular coffee and will be not chosen. In other words, the aim is to guarantee quality through all stages of coffee production, from the seed to the cup. 

Also, specialty coffee producers affirm that by selecting a proper seed with almost no defects, quality improves. They carefully cultivate and harvest coffee plants at a perfect altitude and time of year. And in the best soils, of course. Then they get select them at the right time. With this, the drink’s quality will outweigh other forms of production.

Although many believe that this type of coffee is a new trend, the truth is it has been around since far back as the early 1900s in prestigious hotels in Paris. However, the term was first used in 1970 when the method appeared in the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal. And because coffee is a highly desired beverage, there have been improvements in agricultural, roasting, and brewing technology. Now, everyone is paying attention to the selection of its beans.

This process then continues with roasters and baristas, who also have to use special techniques to make a balanced beverage with natural and rich flavors. So if you want to upgrade the quality of the coffee you are serving to your clients and cope with this trend (that is here to stay), take note of the characteristics surrounding the process:

• Coffee grading: green coffee goes through a visual inspection and cupping to be graded. The evaluator considers shape, size, and smell and chooses a bean only if it receives more than 80 points.

• Type of coffee: specialty coffee is made out of arabica beans because they are considered to be sweeter and have the most delicate flavor.

• The perfect regions: selected countries, like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia are synonymous with specialty coffee. Why? Coffee cultivated in high latitudes, mixed with a tropical climate, along with rainy and dry seasons, produces the best beans.

• Popularity: in the U.S specialty coffee is spreading nationwide because coffee went from a modern convenience to a drinking experience. Its popularity is increasing, and that is why quality is now the primary strategy to compete in this industry.

• Roasting process: roasters know the perfect temperature and techniques to create custom profiles for each coffee they receive. Their mission is to enhance and highlight their natural flavors.

• Baristas: baristas at your coffee business choose carefully grown and roasted coffee to produce quality beverages with precision and specialized equipment. They follow the menu instruction, so quality is always the same in every drink.

Luckily enough, at Coffland Corp, we have our brands of specialty coffee, and they are our clients’ favorites. If you think this type of coffee represents the next step for your coffee business, contact us and let us become your providers!

Speciality coffee has existed for a long time now.

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Coffee or Beer? Which One Is the Best Social Drink?

 

The most famous beverages finally face each other!

Social drinking is not something strange to humankind. Over the centuries, people have been gathering around to sip their preferred beverage while chatting, sharing experiences, mourning or celebrating accomplishments. This makes a habit of drinking something while sharing with friends, family or strangers a thing that’s completely normal. Now, the beverage is where people differ the most. While for some tea is great,  for others a good infusion is better, the real fight starts between coffee and beer. And we’ll break it down for you!

What’s a social drink?

We could simplify it by saying “people drink beverages when they are with others,” but things are rarely that simple. The social drinks are much more than that, they are part of the culture of society and fit within the parameters of the acceptable for each country. Some (while stronger in the beverage chart) are accepted in a land and banned in another! So, saying that it’s just something people drink is a mistake.

Social drinks are beverages that people use in the company of their companions to share their experiences. Over the rims of glasses, cups, and bottles they bond, creating a link that goes well beyond the simplified experience of gathering. For many, drinking along with their buddies it’s a ritual, while for some is a need. It depends on the context, but socializing around them it’s fundamental in their description and consumption, whether it's done consciously or not.

Beer as a social drink

Beer is one of the most accepted social drink in modern society. It’s, in fact, one of the oldest beverages in humankind record. In this time, it’s transformed in the first beverage of the alcoholic drinks list. People have been consuming it from ancient times, and cultures like the Vikings and the royals of England have been using them to socialize since centuries ago. But why?

Getting a bit tipsy is a sure way to release inhibitions, yes, beer has certain properties that make it great to socialize around. Beer is a diuretic and a physiological enhancer. Yes, you read that right: while you share with your friends, you’re boosting your health. But be careful: too much beer makes your body suffer, so having one once in a while with your mates it’s a great thing, but don’t take it too far.  

Coffee as a social drink

Coffee is at the top of the list when you say “Let’s meet up” during office hours. Most offices and workplaces have a coffee shop around and for a good reason. While this is one of the most serious places where you can be chatting up about important matters, it’s also a great place to relax. Many pair coffee with a good sweet and you’re all set for a social chat.

Coffee is a good social drink because it has instant benefits. As a warm beverage, it’s great to consume while you’re stressed, and it’s also an instant focus tool. Its advantages over the beer? You can use coffee as a social beverage at almost any time of the day, and people won’t bat an eye about it! It’s also a great base for several meals, desserts and other beverages.

Which one is better?

Beer and coffee are among the top beverages to socialize. And while each one of them has their pros and cons, it’s normal that you’d like to know which one is the best. Honestly, we can not tell you which one is definitely better! It all depends on your personal preferences. And the environment in which you socialize.

If you’re a person that loves to share late nights with your friends and partying, there’s a good chance that your preferred social drink is beer. While if you’re more of a late afternoon and chat person, coffee is your first choice for sure. Both of them are great alternatives if consumed within reasonable margins. Remember that all extremes are bad, you can make the most out of social drinks if you get a drink with responsibility and care!

Coffland Corp offers you unique combinations and flavored coffee packages that you can make your own. Regardless of your preferred combination, or if you’re going to mix them both, you’re going to be drinking them for quite a while. Enjoy coffee or beer (or both if you want!) to make the most of them! Share your experiences with us using the hashtag #CofflandCorpSocial and remember that you can get amazing products just by contacting our offices!  

The last word is yours!

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Honey Process: Specially Made Coffee

This method uses the mucilage from the coffee berries to add an extra-flavor to the final coffee brew.

Among the coffee lovers there are certain things that are known as facts. The first one: the brewing method goes hand in hand with the preparation of the beans. The second one: the barista or brewer has to have the knowledge to produce the best cup. The third one: bean preparation methods do make a difference. But you are surely wondering: "Why is this important?" Well, because today we’ll be talking about this third coffee factor: bean preparation, and why it does influence the making of an incredible coffee cup. Today we’ll be talking about honey-processed beans.

Coffee berries hold inside of them the coffee beans, and between each one of the beans, there’s a part called mucilage. That part is covered by the pulp and skin of the fruit and is often removed from more traditionally made coffee beans. The reason why the honey process is so unique and interesting is the fact that the producers leave some of that pulp that’s closer to the coffee bean and dry them with it. And this does make a difference in the flavor. Honey processed beans have a distinctive flavor profile. These honey-processed coffees are sweeter, and their overall flavor characteristics are fruitier.

The sugar oxidation is what gives these beans their overall characteristics, and thus they can be differentiated according to the time the mucilage is left to oxidize, as well as the amount of mucilage left on the beans. These create several kinds of honey-processed beans. These are separated by an arbitrary method: the amount of mucilage left in each bean is what defines their name. White and yellow have small amounts of fruit flesh left and are softer in their sweet undertones. These are mostly processed mechanically and left to dry for shorter periods of time. The golden, red and black honey processed have higher amounts of mucilage and need more time to oxidize and dry. These types have denser and richer bodies, with a greater sugary aftertaste.

What makes this process a specialty is the care needed to produce these perfect batches. As there is a big amount of sugar and fleshy fruit left, the danger of over-development of flavor and contamination (for example, by mold formation) are present. The producers that create these specialty coffees are careful to produce them under the right sanitary conditions, to avoid the presentation of any inconvenience, enabling them to provide unique coffee for every consumer.

The coffee world offers unique flavors to anyone who’s willing to invest time into looking for them. Honey-processed coffees are a specialty that most specialized businesses offer only on special occasions. The uniqueness of the flavors this method brings into the coffee world is appreciated by connoisseurs and casual consumers alike. Want to explore other flavors in the coffee world? Well, then Coffland Corp is the place for you!

This is an interesting method to process the coffee berries. 

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