Specialty Coffee is any coffee that has scored 80 points or more out of 100 in a specialized evaluation according to the standards of the global Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), that is grown in a known and traceable origin, roasted fresh, and prepared with skill. Put simply: every step from the farm to your cup is known and controlled so that it delivers the highest quality and the cleanest taste possible — and that is exactly what sets it apart from the commercial coffee you find ready on supermarket shelves.
In this article we will break the term down step by step: what specialty coffee means, what distinguishes it from commercial coffee, and why its price is a little higher — and whether it is really worth it.
What exactly does specialty coffee mean?
"Specialty" is not a marketing word we put on the pack; it is a classification with clear standards. For a coffee to be called "specialty", several things have to come together:
- A known and traceable origin (Traceable Origin): you know where this coffee comes from — the country, the region, and sometimes the farm itself. Not a "blend" of unknown source.
- Clean Arabica beans: a high grade of Arabica, with no cheap filler and no defects in the bean.
- Fresh roasting: the coffee is roasted in batches and sold while it still holds its taste and natural oils, not stored for months on the shelf.
- Skilled preparation: correct grinding and brewing so the cup comes out with its full flavor without losing it along the way.
When these four conditions are met together, you feel a real difference in the cup: clear flavors (fruit, chocolate, nuts, caramel), balanced acidity, and a clean taste with no burnt bitterness.
What does an SCA score of 80 out of 100 mean?
SCA is the Specialty Coffee Association, and it has set an evaluation system called "Cupping" that rates coffee on a 100-point scale. Specialized judges (Q Graders) taste the coffee and rate the aroma, flavor, acidity, body and balance. Any coffee that gets 80 points or more is classified as "specialty", and what falls below that number goes into the category of ordinary commercial coffee. So this number is not advertising — it is an agreed global measure of quality.
What is the difference between specialty coffee and commercial coffee?
The difference is not only in the price; it is in every step from farming to the cup. This table shows the difference quickly:
| Criterion | Specialty coffee | Commercial coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 80 points or more (SCA) | Below 80 or not scored |
| Bean type | 100% selected Arabica | Usually a blend containing cheap Robusta |
| Origin | Known and traceable | Unknown or a generic blend |
| Roasting | Fresh, in small batches | Old and stored for months |
| Taste | Clear flavors and a clean taste | A generic taste and sometimes burnt bitterness |
| Added sugar | No added sugar | Sometimes added |
Why is specialty coffee a little more expensive? And is it worth it?
Its price is higher for clear reasons: carefully selected Arabica beans, farmers who get a fair price in return for higher quality, roasting in small fresh batches, and control over every step until it reaches you. In return for that little extra, you get a cleaner cup that is richer in taste, and you know exactly what you are drinking and where it comes from. And in the end, a cup of specialty coffee you make at home is still far cheaper than buying a ready-made cup outside every day.
How do you know the coffee in front of you is truly specialty?
To make sure before you buy, look for these signs:
- The roast date is written on the pack (not just a far-off expiry date).
- The origin is written clearly — a country or a region, not simply "coffee".
- It says 100% Arabica with no filler.
- No sugar and no unknown additives.
- A known roastery that roasts in batches, not stored mass production.
Specialty coffee in Egypt has become easier than before
A few years ago specialty coffee in Egypt was something hard to get to except in a handful of cafes. Now things have changed: there are Egyptian roasteries roasting locally and fresh, and you can order the coffee while it still holds its taste and have it delivered to your home. The idea is that you do not need to pay at a cafe every day to taste specialty coffee — you can get coffee of the same quality and make it at home, and control the grind and the brewing to your liking. And that makes the value you get for its price much clearer.
Is Seelaz specialty coffee?
Yes. Seelaz is an Egyptian specialty coffee roastery that started in 2019 and roasts its coffee fresh in Cairo. All our products are 100% Arabica with no cheap Robusta filler at all, and with no added sugar, and the origin and roast level are written clearly on every pack:
- Turkish Coffee: a 100% Arabica blend (Colombia + Ethiopia + Honduras), ground very fine (about 90 microns), and available plain, spiced, and with mastic.
- Single Origin Espresso Coffee: traceable origins (India Kerala, Colombia, Brazil), with intensity from 7 to 9, in a 250 gram pack.
You can order online from seelaz.com or from Amazon.eg and noon, or drop by our branches in El Tagamoa, Zahraa El Maadi and El Rehab. Delivery to all governorates of Egypt within 5 days at most, and same day inside Cairo, and cash on delivery is available.
100% Arabica coffee roasted in Cairo — delivery to all governorates of Egypt and cash on delivery available.
