What Is Specialty Coffee, Anyway?

Specialty coffee is coffee scored 80 points or above (out of 100) by certified tasters. But beyond the score, it means care at every step: the farm, the roast, and the cup.

It starts at origin

South Africa imports most of its beans, and the best shops can tell you exactly where yours came from — Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Rwanda. Traceability is the heart of specialty.

Fresh roasting matters

Coffee peaks 4–21 days after roasting. Look for a roast date on the bag, not a best-before date.

You taste the difference

Expect sweetness, acidity that sparkles rather than bites, and flavours like berries, chocolate or citrus — no sugar needed.

Find shops that take this seriously in our directory.