How specialty coffee graded isn’t just a question for professionals—it’s the secret to understanding what sets truly exceptional beans apart from ordinary ones. Using the SCA Cupping Form, tasters around the world evaluate green coffee based on strict, standardized criteria. This system ensures that every note of flavor, aroma, and body is scored fairly, without bias.
If you’re ready to explore the structured world of specialty coffee scoring, this guide will walk you through the process—from green bean to final cup.
What Does “Specialty Coffee” Really Mean?
To qualify as specialty coffee, a green bean sample must score between 80 and 100 points on the SCA grading scale. But this score isn’t just pulled from thin air—it’s built on a solid foundation of strict protocols, including:
- Green bean assessment: Only beans with no primary defects and fewer than five secondary defects are considered.
- Sample weight: 350 grams of green coffee are used.
- Roasting and Cupping: Done under controlled, consistent parameters.
This entire process is outlined in the SCA cupping form, which every Q Grader and taster relies on.
How Specialty Coffee Graded: Step-by-Step Using the SCA Cupping Form
1. Quality Scale
Each element of a coffee sample is graded from 6 to 9.75, where:
- 6 – 6.75 = Good
- 7 – 7.75 = Very Good
- 8 – 8.75 = Excellent
- 9 – 9.75 = Outstanding
2. Sample Number & Roast Level
Before tasting, tasters label their samples and note the roast level—a crucial step in the roasting process that influences flavor and aroma.
3. Fragrance vs Aroma
- Fragrance: The dry smell of ground coffee.
- Aroma: The wet smell after adding hot water.
4. Flavor & Aftertaste
Flavor expresses the distinct taste of a coffee, while aftertaste captures how long that flavor lingers. A longer, pleasant aftertaste is often a hallmark of high-grade beans.
5. Acidity
A key element in how specialty coffee graded. Acidity adds brightness and complexity. For instance, Sumatran Mandheling is praised for its mild yet vibrant acidity that brings out fruity, wine-like notes.
6. Body
Body describes the mouthfeel—is it light, medium, or heavy? The more consistent and full-bodied a coffee feels, the higher the score.
7. Uniformity & Balance
- Uniformity: All 5 cups should taste the same.
- Balance: A harmony of aroma, flavor, acidity, sweetness, and aftertaste.
8. Clean Cup & Sweetness
A “clean” cup is free from off-flavors from start to finish. Sweetness, often resembling natural sugarcane or honey, is a sign of well-processed beans.
9. Overall
This is where professional judgment comes in. If the coffee exhibits a rare or special trait, the Q Grader reflects it here.
10. Defects
Even a single defect can drastically reduce the score. A taint costs 2 points, while a fault takes 4 points off. However, past crop beans—when stored correctly—can be roasted to highlight unique and aged flavors.
11. Final Score
The sum of all the attributes determines if a coffee can carry the specialty label. 80 points or more = specialty. Anything less is commercial-grade.
Why Understanding How Specialty Coffee Graded Matters
Whether you’re a professional barista, coffee trader, or a home brewer chasing excellence, understanding how specialty coffee is graded gives you insight into:
- How to buy better beans
- How to describe flavor like a pro
- How to taste coffee with intention
This knowledge lets you appreciate the rich diversity of Indonesia’s specialty coffees, from Aceh Gayo to Toraja Kalosi. Each region brings something new to the table, and the cupping form helps uncover it.
👉 Discover these flavors: Indonesia Specialty Coffee Beans
Join the Movement: The Third Wave of Coffee
The global coffee community is moving beyond fast brews and toward transparency, traceability, and taste. This is the spirit of the Third Wave Coffee movement—and it starts with knowing how specialty coffee is graded.
Final Thoughts
The SCA cupping form isn’t just a tool—it’s a language. A way to communicate coffee quality, celebrate origin, and support better farming practices. By learning it, you’re not just tasting coffee. You’re participating in a global movement that values excellence, fairness, and craft.
Ready to take your coffee journey further?
Explore how specialty coffee is graded and elevate your experience—one sip at a time.
