What’s the Difference Between Commodity Coffee and Speciality Coffee?

Commodity coffee and specialty coffee are two distinct categories within the coffee industry, and they differ in terms of quality, production methods, sourcing, and overall consumer experience. Here are the key differences between commodity coffee and specialty coffee:

1. Quality and Flavour:

Commodity Coffee: Commodity coffee is mass-produced and generally focuses on achieving consistency in flavour and aroma. It often involves blending beans from various regions and crops to maintain a standardised taste. The flavour profile tends to be more generic and less nuanced.

Specialty Coffee: Specialty coffee, on the other hand, places a strong emphasis on quality and unique flavour profiles. It is produced using carefully selected beans, typically from specific regions or individual farms. The coffee beans are often grown under specific conditions and processed to enhance their flavour potential, resulting in a diverse range of tastes.

Sourcing and Origin:

Commodity Coffee: Commodity coffee is often sourced from large coffee plantations or cooperative farms, with an emphasis on high yields and low production costs. The focus is on quantity rather than the distinct characteristics of the coffee's origin.

Specialty Coffee: Specialty coffee places significant importance on the coffee's origin. It is often sourced from single-origin farms or small, independent producers who use sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The unique terroir and processing methods of each region contribute to the coffee's exceptional qualities.

Processing and Roasting:

Commodity Coffee: Commodity coffee is typically processed using more cost-efficient methods, such as the washed or semi-washed processes, which may not bring out the full potential of the beans' flavours.

Specialty Coffee: Specialty coffee involves more meticulous processing methods, such as the natural or honey processes. This attention to detail helps preserve the inherent flavours of the coffee beans and creates a more complex and refined taste.

2. Certification and Standards:

Commodity Coffee: Commodity coffee may adhere to basic quality standards but generally lacks the rigorous grading and evaluation criteria of specialty coffee.

Specialty Coffee: Specialty coffee is graded and evaluated according to strict standards set by organisations like the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). These standards encompass everything from growing conditions and processing methods to cupping scores.

3. Price and Market Value:

Commodity Coffee: Commodity coffee is more affordable and widely available due to its mass production and lower production costs.

Specialty Coffee: Specialty coffee commands a higher price due to its limited availability, higher production costs, and the additional effort put into its cultivation and processing. The premium price reflects the exceptional quality and unique characteristics it offers.

In summary, commodity coffee is the more common and generic type of coffee found in supermarkets and most coffee chains. It is produced on a large scale with the primary focus on consistency and affordability. Specialty coffee, on the other hand, is a premium and niche market that highlights the unique flavours, origins, and quality of the coffee beans. It offers coffee enthusiasts a more diverse and personalised coffee experience.

Extraction Coffee Roasters are proud to use only speciality coffee beans, graded at 80+ points. If you’d like to know more about how we source our green beans, please reach out to us at hello.extraction@gmail.com