At Jim’s Organic Coffee, every bean we roast is both Organic and Specialty, meaning it meets the highest standards for taste and integrity.

So what exactly makes coffee “specialty,” and how does the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) fit into that picture? Let’s break it down.

The Specialty Coffee Association: Setting the Global Standard

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the world’s leading authority on coffee quality. This international nonprofit represents coffee professionals from every step of the supply chain all united by a commitment to excellence.

The SCA established the grading system that defines specialty coffee. To earn the specialty designation, a coffee must score 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale during a rigorous evaluation by certified coffee tasters known as Q Graders.

This scoring system looks at attributes like aroma, flavor, body, balance, and aftertaste: all of which reveal how well the coffee was cultivated, processed, and roasted.

The Criteria for Specialty Coffee

Specialty coffee is more than just “good coffee.” It’s coffee that meets an exacting set of standards, both in the green bean and in the cup.

Here are the core criteria the SCA uses to define a specialty coffee:

• No primary defects: The beans must be clean, consistent, and free from major imperfections.
  

• Clean cup: The coffee should taste pure, without off-flavors or taints.
  

• Sweetness & balance: A natural sweetness and harmony between acidity, body, and flavor are essential.
  

• Uniformity: Every cup from the same batch should taste consistently great.
  

• Complexity: The flavor should be layered and interesting, often reflecting the coffee’s origin and processing method.

At Jim’s Organic Coffee, every single bean we source meets specialty-grade standards (80+ points) and is certified organic. That means:

• Exceptional flavor: Every roast begins with high-scoring specialty-grade beans that meet SCA quality criteria.
  

• Pure farming practices: Our coffees are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, preserving soil health and biodiversity.
  

• Responsible sourcing: We work with trusted farmers and importers who share our values of fairness, transparency, and sustainability.
  

• Crafted with purpose: Our roasting process highlights each coffee’s unique flavor notes

The Specialty Coffee Association provides the roadmap, and at Jim’s Organic Coffee, we follow it with an added layer of organic integrity and care.

Because when you start with better beans, grown with purpose, you end up with something truly special.