Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. However, not all coffees are created equal. Behind every cup lies a story, a terroir, expertise, and choices that influence its taste.
Since its creation, Coutume has defended a simple vision: coffee deserves the same attention as a fine wine or tea. Choosing specialty coffee means rediscovering the full aromatic richness of a product, cultivated and post-harvest processed with rigor, and roasted with precision.
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee, in the technical sense, is coffee whose quality is evaluated according to very demanding international criteria. To be recognized as such, a coffee must obtain a score higher than 80/100 during a tasting conducted according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol.
But this score tells only part of the story.
Specialty coffee is above all the result of a demanding value chain, where every step counts: the work of the producers, the selection of varieties, the harvesting methods, their post-harvest treatment (sorting, wet or dry fermentation, drying, water activity stabilization, among others...), transportation, roasting, and finally its extraction by a barista.
Unlike industrial practices, the objective is never to mask the coffee's defects, but rather to reveal the unique characteristics of each origin.
It will therefore be time to imagine a broader and more valorizing definition for the entire production chain. Thus, at Coutume, we define specialty coffee as a sector in which every actor works together transparently to enhance the quality of the coffee, the ecosystem that surrounds it, and the community attached to it.
A story of terroirs
Like a grand cru, each coffee expresses its origin.
Altitude, climate, rainfall, botanical variety, and fermentation method directly influence the aromas found in the cup.
An Ethiopian coffee might reveal floral and citrus notes, while a Colombian coffee will express more red fruits or a beautiful sweetness. A Guatemalan coffee will often reveal a more gourmet structure, with notes of chocolate or dried fruits.
At Coutume, we select coffees that each tell a story of their origin and the work of the women and men who cultivate them. This is why Coutume only offers single-origin coffees, so that we convey the complexity of the terroir directly to your cup.
Roasting designed to reveal the coffee
Roasting is an essential step in which the roaster brings out the full potential of the coffee by mastering an ultra-complex chemical reaction (the Maillard reaction). To be precise, in a short time, we multiply the molecular compounds present in the coffee by about 5 times during roasting.
Our approach consists of adapting each roasting profile to the aromatic potential of the coffee. The goal is not to impose a uniform signature, but to highlight the identity of each coffee by revealing its aromatic and gustatory notes.
Precise roasting thus preserves the aromatic complexity, balance, and natural sweetness of the coffee.
Because each origin is unique, each coffee requires particular attention from our roaster.
Why choose specialty coffee?
Beyond gustatory quality, choosing specialty coffee means supporting a more transparent and sustainable industry.
Coffees are selected for their quality, but also for the relationship built with producers and importers. This requirement promotes compensation that values the quality of the coffee and agricultural work, allowing for investment and the adoption of agricultural practices that respect the terroirs. It is essential to finance the ecological transition through product quality.
How to recognize specialty coffee?
Some clues help identify true specialty coffee:
A precise origin (country, region, farm or cooperative);
A clearly indicated botanical variety;
A processing method (washed, natural, etc.);
A recent roasting date;
Complete traceability.
This information demonstrates a commitment to transparency and helps us better understand what we are tasting.
Coffee as a tasting experience
Discovering specialty coffee means learning to taste differently.
As with wine, each cup has its own texture, balance, acidity, sweetness, and finish.
Depending on the extraction method: espresso, V60, Chemex, filter coffee maker or AeroPress, the same coffee will reveal different facets, not to mention that coffee can be brewed hot or cold to present its profile in a very unique way.
This diversity makes the richness of specialty coffee: it invites curiosity and constantly renews the experience.
Coutume's commitment
For over 15 years, Coutume has been committed to building a sector founded on quality, transparency, and transmission.
We carefully select our coffees, work with trusted partners, and roast each batch to reveal its full complexity.
Because a great coffee is not just a drink, but tells the story of a terroir, a craft, and the women and men who bring it to life.
Discovering specialty coffee is ultimately rediscovering coffee itself.
