Specialty

Mold Inside a Specialty Bean: How Concerned Should You Be?

Mold Inside a Specialty Bean: How Concerned Should You Be?

There’s something brewing in the world of specialty coffee that’s both alarming and oddly fascinating: the discovery of internal mold in a bean that should have been pristine. You’ve probably seen the photos—tiny worms tunneling through the bean, leaving behind a fuzzy, greenish residue. The bean itself looks fine on the outside, but the damage is done. For coffee lovers, this raises a pressing question: is this a rare flaw, a sign of poor quality, or a red flag for safety? The truth is, internal mold in specialty beans is extremely rare—but not impossible. Specialty roasters typically source beans from…
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Unlock the Rich Flavors of Dark Roast Coffee: A Buying Guide and Top Picks

Unlock the Rich Flavors of Dark Roast Coffee: A Buying Guide and Top Picks

Dark roast coffee is more than just a strong, bitter drink. It offers a bold, balanced flavor with notes of dark chocolate, spices, and toasted nuts that can satisfy your cravings for a classic cup of joe. But, finding the perfect dark roast requires knowing what to look for and avoiding the burnt flavors of super dark roasts. Dark roast coffee beans are roasted longer than lighter ones, but that doesn't mean they lack flavor. The beans range from deliciously dark to super dark (or burnt!). A good cup of dark roast has a rich, balanced taste with a mild…
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A Hyattsville Resident Brews a New Specialty Coffee Venture: Introducing Ritual Specialty Coffee

A Hyattsville Resident Brews a New Specialty Coffee Venture: Introducing Ritual Specialty Coffee

Nicolas Moreno, a resident of Hyattsville, is stirring up a storm in the Route 1 corridor with his new venture, Ritual Specialty Coffee. With a passion for coffee ignited by his Colombian heritage, Moreno took his love for the bean to the next level, diving headfirst into the art of roasting. Moreno's journey led him to establish Ritual Specialty Coffee, focusing on premium-grade Colombian beans from Valle del Cauca. These top-tier beans have earned a coveted place among the highest-ranked by the Specialty Coffee Association. As he fine-tunes his business strategy and conducts market research, Moreno harbors ambitions of expanding…
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Can Specialty Coffee Survive the Speed of Modern Economies?

Can Specialty Coffee Survive the Speed of Modern Economies?

Specialty coffee, with its focus on quality and authenticity, is a curious fit in our fast-paced world. While it shares similarities with the slow food movement, its emphasis on small batches, precise preparation, and ritualistic experience clashes with modern economies' obsession with speed and scale. In countries like the United States, this contradiction is particularly evident. The cultural fixation on efficiency – bigger cups, faster service, exponential growth – runs counter to specialty coffee's ethos. Starbucks' 4-minute drink preparation rule stands in stark contrast to third wave coffee's original dedication to craft, intentionality, and precision. Brands like Blue Bottle and…
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Why Specialty Decaf Coffee Is a Game Changer for Coffee Lovers

Why Specialty Decaf Coffee Is a Game Changer for Coffee Lovers

Specialty decaf coffee is no longer the underdog in the coffee world. It's time to reconsider this caffeine-free option, especially when it comes to high-quality, carefully crafted beans. Let's dive into five compelling reasons why specialty decaf coffee deserves a spot in your kitchen. 1. Purely Natural Decaffeination Processes The misconception that decaf coffee is always loaded with harmful chemicals is a thing of the past. Enter the Swiss Water Process—a groundbreaking approach to decaffeinating coffee beans, using only water and no synthetic compounds. Bye-bye trichloroethylene, ethyl acetate, and ethylene chloride. This method preserves the original flavors, aromas, and even…
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Why Strong Coffee Brands Are a Flavor Compromise You Don’t Need to Make

Why Strong Coffee Brands Are a Flavor Compromise You Don’t Need to Make

Beware the allure of strong coffee brands promising an extra caffeine boost at the expense of flavor. While they may seem like the answer to your productivity prayers, these blends often rely on low-quality beans and marketing gimmicks that do more harm than good. Let's break it down: Strong coffee brands typically use a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans to achieve their caffeine-heavy promise. But what does this mean for your morning cup? Arabica beans, with their naturally high acid, fat, and sugar content, offer a diverse flavor experience ranging from floral to citrus to sweet tastes. In…
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Ethiopia’s Coffee Elite Unite to Elevate the Specialty Sector

Ethiopia’s Coffee Elite Unite to Elevate the Specialty Sector

The Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia (SCAE) has officially come into existence, marking a significant milestone in the country's specialty coffee industry. Comprising a group of prominent green coffee professionals, the new trade body aims to elevate Ethiopia's specialty sector and enhance its global standing. The SCAE, as they are now known, plans to achieve this ambitious goal by fostering collaboration between local players and promoting quality and sustainability standards. This fresh initiative is a testament to Ethiopia's growing recognition as a major player in the global specialty coffee market. With more than 60% of the world's Arabica coffee originating…
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