What is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee represents the highest quality coffee available, emphasizing sustainability and celebrating the incredible journey of the coffee bean from the farm to your cup. To truly savor specialty coffee, it's essential to grasp the intricate processes and captivating stories behind each brew. Let's explore the distinctive characteristics of specialty coffee and see how Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters (SBCR) embodies these principles with dedication.
Defining Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee goes beyond being just a source of caffeine; it offers an immersive sensory experience. The process starts with sourcing high-quality beans that score 80 points or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association’s 100-point scale. This evaluation takes into account various key factors:
Aroma
Flavor
Acidity
Body
Balance
All these aspects are meticulously assessed by certified Q Graders. To meet the set standard, green coffee beans must have minimal defects, not exceeding five per 300 grams, which could include stones, knots, or damaged beans. During the tasting process, elements like aroma, flavor, acidity, body, uniformity, cleanliness, aftertaste, balance, and sweetness are carefully examined and analyzed.
From Cultivation to Cup
Specialty coffee beans are typically grown in unique microclimates, where factors such as altitude, soil composition, and climate influence the beans’ distinct flavor profiles. Selective hand-picking during harvest guarantees only the ripest cherries are chosen, contributing to the overall quality and consistency of the final product. Processing methods like washed, natural, or honey processing further impact the flavor, imparting notes ranging from fruity to nutty.
Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters Unique Approach to Specialty Coffee
Elevating Specialty Coffee Experience
Yee Siang, the founder of SBCR, began his journey into specialty coffee due to dissatisfaction with the lack of high-quality coffee options. His goal for SBCR has always been to share his love and profound knowledge of coffee, creating a space where excellence and education intersect. SBCR's distinctive value proposition revolves around three fundamental principles:
Bean Standardization for Consistent Quality
SBCR focuses on standardizing beans through a unique roasting process to deliver a consistently delightful cup, regardless of the brewing method chosen.
This ensures that both newcomers and seasoned coffee lovers can fully appreciate the potential of their coffee beans, whether enjoying espresso, filter coffee, or cold brew.
Educating Customers to Appreciate Coffee
SBCR goes beyond serving coffee; we foster a community of coffee enthusiasts by actively educating our customers.
We promote exploration of diverse flavor profiles and origins, highlighting the distinct characteristics of each bean.
This educational approach extends to our streamlined menu, featuring only black and white coffee options, guiding customers to savor the inherent flavors of the beans.
The Expertise of the Founder
Yee Siang's expertise epitomizes the brand's commitment to quality and innovation, showcasing a profound understanding of coffee that enables him to assess a cup with a single sip and pinpoint areas for enhancement.
His passion has established him as a respected figure in the coffee industry, frequently called upon to judge coffee roasting competitions and conduct classes, further enhancing SBCR's standing within the specialty coffee community.
The Pursuit of Balance: Beyond Flavor Notes
When we talk about specialty coffee, we usually discuss the different flavors it offers. However, at SBCR, our main aim is to create a coffee that is well-rounded and balanced. Instead of focusing on individual tastes like chocolate or dates, Yee Siang prefers to create a blend of flavors that work together harmoniously. This approach ensures that every aspect of the coffee adds to the overall enjoyment. Our meticulous attention to the roasting process and brewing techniques plays a crucial role in achieving this balance, highlighting the significance of our consistent roasting methods.
A Never-Ending Journey of Discovery
In the pursuit of the finest coffee beans, SBCR remains committed to its mission. Yee Siang, an expert in coffee beans sourced from different countries, understands the impact of factors like climate change, soil quality, and tree maturity on coffee flavor. This knowledge inspires ongoing research, blind taste experiments, and adaptability to the evolving landscape of coffee production.
Embracing Differences and Challenging Perceptions
SBCR’s journey has not been without its challenges. Initially facing skepticism for their preference for light to medium roasts and emphasis on showcasing origin characteristics, SBCR persevered, eventually garnering recognition from established coffee brands in Malaysia and Singapore. SBCR’s success is a testament to our unwavering commitment to specialty coffee’s true potential, encouraging customers to explore beyond pre-conceived notions of bitterness and embrace the nuanced flavors unique to this segment of the coffee world.
About Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters
SBCR, through Yee Siang’s vision, offers a unique perspective on specialty coffee. At SBCR, we combine a deep understanding of the craft with a genuine desire to educate and share their passion with customers. By focusing on bean standardization, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and embracing the dynamic nature of coffee, we invite coffee lovers to experience a world where every cup tells a story. Our dedication to quality, transparency, and the pursuit of the perfect cup ensures that whether you are a seasoned coffee connoisseur or a curious newcomer, a visit to SBCR promises a journey of discovery and a newfound appreciation for the art of specialty coffee.
Specialty Coffee FAQ
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee, a term introduced by Erna Knutsen in 1978, refers to coffee beans renowned for their unique flavor profiles cultivated in specific geographic microclimates. The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) defines specialty coffee during its green stage as beans that are devoid of primary defects, appropriately sized and dried, exhibit no faults or taints in the cup, and possess distinctive attributes. To qualify, the beans must excel on a standardized scale evaluating various factors from aroma to mouthfeel, among other criteria.
Moreover, specialty coffee is distinguished by its emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainability. This entails ensuring equitable compensation for farmers and advocating for environmentally conscious practices.
What factors contribute to the flavor profile of specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee flavors are influenced by a range of factors, beginning with the conditions in which the coffee is cultivated. Elements such as altitude, soil composition, and climate play a significant role in shaping the distinct characteristics of the coffee bean. During the harvesting process, selecting only fully ripe cherries is essential to ensure the highest quality beans. Furthermore, the method of processing the beans, whether it is washed, natural, or honey processed, contributes to the diverse range of flavors, ranging from fruity to nutty undertones.
What is the difference between espresso and filter coffee at SBCR?
At SBCR, the difference between espresso and filter coffee lies solely in the brewing method. The beans are roasted to a profile that highlights the unique characteristics of the origin, allowing for enjoyment across various brewing methods. Whether you choose espresso, filter, or cold brew, you can expect a good quality and good tasting cup.
What makes SBCR's approach to roasting unique?
SBCR's roasting approach aims to standardize the beans to ensure a good quality and delicious cup regardless of the brewing method used. Through years of experimentation and refinement, SBCR has developed a roasting profile that brings out the intended flavors of the beans, making it accessible for both amateur and professional brewers to create a satisfying cup. Yee Siang, a recognized expert in the coffee industry, is dedicated to sourcing high quality beans and personally tastes and develops each roast profile to achieve this goal.
What are some tips for getting started with specialty coffee?
Begin by educating yourself about coffee origins, processing methods, and brewing techniques. Visit specialty cafes and interact with baristas, sample different brews, and observe various brewing methods. Finally, experiment at home by investing in quality equipment, such as a burr grinder and a pour-over setup, to explore different brewing techniques and discover your personal preferences.
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