THE MINERS INSIDER
What is specialty coffee
& how to recognize it
Guide for new coffee shop owners
Specialty coffee is more than a drink. It is a system of quality, transparency, and care that connects farmers, roasters, baristas, and coffee shop owners.
For anyone planning to open a coffee business in 2025, understanding specialty coffee is essential – because quality is now one of the strongest drivers of customer loyalty and repeat sales.
This guide explains specialty coffee in simple language, while keeping the expert value that investors and future franchise partners look for.
For anyone planning to open a coffee business in 2025, understanding specialty coffee is essential – because quality is now one of the strongest drivers of customer loyalty and repeat sales.
This guide explains specialty coffee in simple language, while keeping the expert value that investors and future franchise partners look for.
1. What exactly is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee is coffee that scores 80+ points on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale. This score is given by certified Q-graders who evaluate:
That is what makes it special.
Specialty coffee is coffee that scores 80+ points on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale. This score is given by certified Q-graders who evaluate:
- aroma
- sweetness
- clarity
- acidity
- aftertaste
- flavor complexity
- overall balance
That is what makes it special.
2. How specialty coffee is different from regular coffee
Specialty coffee is controlled at every stage. Regular coffee is produced for volume.
Here is the difference step by step:
1) Harvesting
Regular coffee:
– machine-picked
– mixed ripeness
– many defects
Specialty:
– hand-picked
– only ripe cherries
– careful selection
2) Processing
Regular: simple, cheap, often inconsistent
Specialty: washed, natural, honey, anaerobic – processes that create unique flavors
3) Roasting
Regular: dark roast to hide defects
Specialty: light or medium roast to keep natural flavors
4) Taste
Regular: bitter, heavy, simple
Specialty: sweet, bright acidity, clean finish, complex notes
Examples: berries, citrus, caramel, florals, tropical fruits, chocolate.
5) Defects
Specialty coffee allows zero major defects.
Commercial coffee may contain many.
Specialty coffee is controlled at every stage. Regular coffee is produced for volume.
Here is the difference step by step:
1) Harvesting
Regular coffee:
– machine-picked
– mixed ripeness
– many defects
Specialty:
– hand-picked
– only ripe cherries
– careful selection
2) Processing
Regular: simple, cheap, often inconsistent
Specialty: washed, natural, honey, anaerobic – processes that create unique flavors
3) Roasting
Regular: dark roast to hide defects
Specialty: light or medium roast to keep natural flavors
4) Taste
Regular: bitter, heavy, simple
Specialty: sweet, bright acidity, clean finish, complex notes
Examples: berries, citrus, caramel, florals, tropical fruits, chocolate.
5) Defects
Specialty coffee allows zero major defects.
Commercial coffee may contain many.
3. How to recognize specialty coffee in a coffee shop
These signs will help even beginners identify true specialty coffee:
1. Transparent origin
You see:
– country
– region
– farm or washing station
– variety
– processing method
– roast date
2. Flavor notes
Specialty coffee always lists flavor notes.
Example: mango, vanilla, red berries, cocoa.
General words like “strong,” “intense,” “dark” are not specialty.
3. Fresh roasting
The ideal window for brewing: 3–30 days after roast.
4. Skilled baristas
Baristas in specialty shops can:
– explain why the coffee is acidic
– recommend beans
– talk about processing
– brew with precision
At The Miners, we train baristas to help guests understand acidity vs bitterness – making specialty coffee easier for everyone.
5. Realistic pricing
Specialty coffee cannot be extremely cheap – the quality process is too complex.
But high price alone does not equal specialty.
These signs will help even beginners identify true specialty coffee:
1. Transparent origin
You see:
– country
– region
– farm or washing station
– variety
– processing method
– roast date
2. Flavor notes
Specialty coffee always lists flavor notes.
Example: mango, vanilla, red berries, cocoa.
General words like “strong,” “intense,” “dark” are not specialty.
3. Fresh roasting
The ideal window for brewing: 3–30 days after roast.
4. Skilled baristas
Baristas in specialty shops can:
– explain why the coffee is acidic
– recommend beans
– talk about processing
– brew with precision
At The Miners, we train baristas to help guests understand acidity vs bitterness – making specialty coffee easier for everyone.
5. Realistic pricing
Specialty coffee cannot be extremely cheap – the quality process is too complex.
But high price alone does not equal specialty.
4. Why specialty coffee matters for coffee shop owners
If you plan to open a coffee shop in 2025, specialty coffee is not a luxury – it is a business advantage.
1) Higher margins
Guests are willing to pay more when they taste quality.
2) Customer loyalty
Specialty drinkers return more often and recommend the place to friends.
3) Clear positioning
A specialty coffee shop stands out in any market – Prague, Dubai, Barcelona, Warsaw.
4) Better staff performance
Working with good beans motivates baristas and improves consistency.
5) Stronger brand perception
Consumers see specialty brands as more modern, transparent, and trustworthy.
If you plan to open a coffee shop in 2025, specialty coffee is not a luxury – it is a business advantage.
1) Higher margins
Guests are willing to pay more when they taste quality.
2) Customer loyalty
Specialty drinkers return more often and recommend the place to friends.
3) Clear positioning
A specialty coffee shop stands out in any market – Prague, Dubai, Barcelona, Warsaw.
4) Better staff performance
Working with good beans motivates baristas and improves consistency.
5) Stronger brand perception
Consumers see specialty brands as more modern, transparent, and trustworthy.
5. How we work with specialty coffee at The Miners
Across our locations in Europe, we follow three principles:
1. Only 100% specialty-grade beans
Sourced from responsible farms and trusted partners.
2. Light-to-medium roasting
To highlight flavor – not hide flaws.
3. Serious training
Each barista learns brewing science, sensory basics, and consistency techniques.
For us, specialty coffee is not a trend.
It is the foundation of every The Miners coffee shop – and the reason guests stay loyal.
Across our locations in Europe, we follow three principles:
1. Only 100% specialty-grade beans
Sourced from responsible farms and trusted partners.
2. Light-to-medium roasting
To highlight flavor – not hide flaws.
3. Serious training
Each barista learns brewing science, sensory basics, and consistency techniques.
For us, specialty coffee is not a trend.
It is the foundation of every The Miners coffee shop – and the reason guests stay loyal.
6. Quick checklist: is your coffee truly a specialty?
– 80+ SCA points
– transparent origin
– sweetness, acidity, clean finish
– fresh roast
– knowledgeable barista
If 4 out of 5 are confirmed – you are drinking specialty coffee.
– 80+ SCA points
– transparent origin
– sweetness, acidity, clean finish
– fresh roast
– knowledgeable barista
If 4 out of 5 are confirmed – you are drinking specialty coffee.
Want to open a coffee shop in 2026?
Start with quality. Understanding specialty coffee is the first step to building a profitable, modern, future-facing coffee business.
If you want to know:
– how much it costs to open a coffee shop
– what equipment you need
– how fast a specialty coffee shop can break even
– which locations work best
– what part of the business The Miners handles for franchisees
…check out our next article or contact our franchise team.
The Miners helps new partners open successful coffee shops with a proven, scalable, specialty-focused model.
Start with quality. Understanding specialty coffee is the first step to building a profitable, modern, future-facing coffee business.
If you want to know:
– how much it costs to open a coffee shop
– what equipment you need
– how fast a specialty coffee shop can break even
– which locations work best
– what part of the business The Miners handles for franchisees
…check out our next article or contact our franchise team.
The Miners helps new partners open successful coffee shops with a proven, scalable, specialty-focused model.
Open your own specialty coffee shop with The Miners franchise program
In the meantime, check out the The Miners Insider website, Telegram channel or Instagram for an in-depth look into the industry. Or if you’re already gunning for a new challenge, head on over to The Miners Insider webpage and fill out the contact form at the bottom to become the next franchisee of The Miners.
