SpezialitätenKaffee

What makes it so Specialty?

Specialty coffee is a term from the coffee world that stands for exceptionally high quality. It is not just a product, but also a culture of conscious enjoyment.
But what is specialty coffee? Specialty coffee is particularly high-quality and carefully produced coffee that stands out for several factors. Specialty coffee is grown, harvested and processed under special conditions in order to meet the highest taste profiles. What characterizes specialty coffee? Specialty coffee is characterized by the following features:

1. Origin and cultivation: Specialty coffee usually comes from certain regions or from special plantations that offer ideal growing conditions. Colombia is one of the renowned growing areas known for its special climatic and geographical conditions. VIDAMOR specialty coffee grows there on a small plantation where attention is paid to sustainability and ecological cultivation methods.

2. Quality of the beans: In contrast to industrially produced coffee, which is often mixed with inferior beans, specialty coffee consists of 100% Arabica beans or high-quality Robusta beans. VIDAMOR specialty coffee is made from carefully selected beans.

3. Harvesting and processing: Specialty coffee is usually harvested by hand to select only the best beans. VIDAMOR specialty coffee is carefully processed after the hand harvest.

4. Cupping and evaluation: Specialty coffee is assessed by professional tasters, known as cuppers, using a precise rating scale. This crucial step evaluates aroma, taste, acidity, body and aftertaste very precisely. A coffee must score at least 80 out of 100 points to be certified as a specialty coffee. We'll come to how VIDAMOR specialty coffee is assessed during cupping later.

5. Aromas and variety of aromas: Specialty coffee is characterized by a variety of complex aromas that can range from floral and fruity to chocolaty or nutty. Depending on the growing area, variety and processing, the aromas of a specialty coffee can be very diverse and complex. Typical flavor profiles include floral, fruity, chocolaty or nutty notes. The acidity of the coffee can also vary, which is a decisive feature for many coffee connoisseurs.

6. Sustainability and transparency: Many specialty coffee brands also value fair trade and sustainable cultivation methods, including VIDAMOR. Our producers receive a better price for their goods, which leads to better working conditions and more sustainable agriculture. We source and pay for our coffee directly from the farmer and roaster, without middlemen.

7. Preparation: Specialty coffee also requires precise preparation to develop the full aroma. We prefer methods such as pour over, French press or espresso to prepare our specialty coffees, as these bring out the coffee's flavor profile best.

All in all, specialty coffee stands for a very high quality of coffee, where every step from harvesting to preparation is designed to achieve the best possible taste.

How is specialty coffee rated?

The SCA has developed a rating system for the quality of green coffee. Here, the coffee is rated physically and sensorially. In the sensory tastings, the coffee is rated with up to 100 points.


Our last micro-lot of of VIDAMOR Specialty Coffee processed in Colombia and imported to Europe the 24 of February 2025 was profiled tested by our certified Roaster in Colombia with a gorgeous punctuation of 87.7 points out of 100! And we think this is beautiful. Thanks Colombia!