top of page

Navigating the World of Coffee: Understanding Specialty vs. Commodity Grade Coffee Beans

Writer's picture: Rees WaltherRees Walther

If you've ever stood in the coffee aisle, staring at a wall of beans and wondering if you're supposed to know what "single origin" or "specialty grade" actually means, you're not alone. Coffee shopping can feel like trying to decipher a secret language—and just when you think you've got it figured out, someone mentions "commodity coffee," and you're back to square one. Don’t worry; I’m here to help you navigate the delightful (and occasionally bewildering) world of coffee beans.


Finding the right coffee in the grocery store
Find the perfect coffee on the grocery store shelves

Let’s dive in and demystify the difference between specialty and commodity coffee beans—because life’s too short for mediocre coffee and too confusing for jargon overload.


What Is Commodity Coffee? (AKA the "Cafeteria Coffee")


Commodity coffee is the "fast food" of the coffee world. It’s produced in bulk, traded on international markets, and generally prioritized for quantity over quality. Think of it as the coffee equivalent of cafeteria mystery meat. You’re not entirely sure where it came from, it’s not winning any awards, but it’s there to get the job done. Commodity coffee is often sold in giant tins or vacuum-sealed bricks, and it’s what fuels office breakrooms, truck stops, and pre-coffee zombies everywhere.

Bulk bags of green coffee.
Bags of green coffee

One of the defining features of commodity coffee is its price. It's traded as a commodity—like oil or wheat—and its value is determined by supply and demand on the global market. This means farmers are often paid the bare minimum, which, spoiler alert, doesn’t exactly inspire top-notch bean quality.

So, what does commodity coffee taste like? Well, it’s usually bitter, over-roasted, and has the depth of a kiddie pool. If you’ve ever choked down a cup of black coffee at a motel and wondered if they brewed it with a rusty nail, you’ve probably experienced commodity coffee.


What Is Specialty Coffee? (AKA the "Boutique Coffee")

Specialty coffee, on the other hand, is the royalty of the coffee world—the crown prince of your morning routine. These beans are grown with care, harvested with precision, and roasted to perfection. Farmers and producers focus on quality over quantity, often employing sustainable practices and paying close attention to every step of the process.


The key to a coffee bean being labeled as "specialty" is its score. Yes, coffee gets scored! Specialty coffee must score 80 or higher on a 100-point scale during a rigorous grading process. Certified coffee professionals (yes, that’s a real job) evaluate the beans based on flavor, aroma, acidity, and overall balance. It’s basically the Olympics of coffee, but instead of gold medals, you get to brag that your beans are better than your neighbor’s.


And the taste? Specialty coffee doesn’t just wake you up; it gives your taste buds a standing ovation. You’ll find nuanced flavors like floral notes, fruity undertones, and a smooth finish—not a hint of that burnt tire aftertaste.


Why Does It Matter?

You might be thinking, "Okay, but coffee is coffee, right?" Wrong. Choosing between specialty and commodity coffee is like deciding between a handmade artisan pizza and a soggy frozen pizza from 1987. Sure, both technically count as food (or coffee), but only one is a memorable experience.


Here are some reasons to care about the difference:

  1. Taste: Specialty coffee tastes better. Period. You can actually savor the unique flavor profile of the beans, whether it’s a bright Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or a smooth Indonesian Peaberry roast.

  2. Ethics: Specialty coffee is often fair trade, meaning farmers are paid fairly for their labor. Commodity coffee, not so much. Buying specialty supports sustainable and ethical farming practices.

  3. Quality: Specialty coffee undergoes meticulous quality control. Commodity coffee? Let’s just say you don’t want to know how lax that process can be.

  4. Flexibility: Specialty coffee gives you the freedom to explore different origins, roasts, and brewing methods. Commodity coffee gives you... Folgers.


How to Tell the Difference

Now that you know the basics, how do you spot specialty coffee in the wild? Here are some telltale signs:

  • Packaging: Specialty coffee usually comes in smaller bags with lots of detail about the origin, roast date, and flavor notes. If the bag just says "COFFEE" in big letters and was last roasted during the Nixon administration, it’s probably commodity coffee.

  • Price: Specialty coffee costs more. You’re paying for quality, ethical sourcing, and the peace of mind that your coffee wasn’t roasted in a factory that also makes tractor parts. The bags of coffee at your grocery store that are on the top shelf (usually) and cost significantly more than the Folgers, Maxwell House, and Yuban coffee... that's your specialty grade coffee.

  • Smell: Open a bag of specialty coffee, and you’ll smell complex, inviting aromas. Open a bag of commodity coffee, and you might smell... nothing. Or worse, sadness.


A Few Parting Sips

If you’ve been living on commodity coffee, it might be time to level up. Specialty coffee is an investment in your morning (and your sanity). Sure, it’s pricier, but wouldn’t you rather sip on something that tastes like liquid sunshine instead of liquid regret? Besides, it's fun to explore all of the different flavors specialty coffees have to offer.


At Rocket Smoked Coffee, we’re proud to offer hand-selected, fair-trade, specialty-grade beans that are smoked to perfection for a one-of-a-kind flavor experience. Our beans are here to prove that coffee can be smooth, complex, and completely unforgettable. So, if you’re ready to make the leap into the world of specialty coffee, we’ve got your back (and your beans).


Remember, life is too short for bad coffee. Choose specialty, savor the difference, and thank your taste buds later.


Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
Comments

Share Your ThoughtsBe the first to write a comment.
bottom of page