What is specialty coffee? — A guide to the world of specialty coffees

The result: traditional coffee is often bitter and one-dimensional, while specialty coffee offers a **complex, clean flavor profile** — and these flavors are not artificial aromas, but the natural characteristics of the coffee bean.

How to choose specialty coffee?

When choosing, there are a few things to consider:

**1. Roast date**
Specialty coffee is a fresh product. Always check **when the beans were roasted**. It reaches its peak flavor 2–4 weeks after roasting and retains its best aromas for about 6–8 weeks.

**2. Roast level**
– **Light roast**: preserves the bean's original flavor notes, fruitier, more acidic — ideal for filter brewing
– **Medium roast**: balanced, round flavor — good for most brewing methods
– **Dark roast**: fuller body, chocolatey, less acidity — excellent for espresso

**3. Single origin or blend?**
– **Single origin**: from a single growing region — you can taste Ethiopia's floral or Colombia's nutty notes
– **Blend**: a mix of multiple regions — consistent, balanced flavor, versatile

In the Gravity Coffee webshop, you can [browse the selection](https://gravitycoffee.hu/shop/), where we indicate the roast date and recommended brewing method for every coffee.

How to store specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee is sensitive. If stored improperly, it can lose its aromas within a few days. Here are the most important rules:

**Do:**
– Store in an airtight container
– In a dark, cool place (15–22 °C)
– Keep whole beans, grind only before brewing — ground coffee loses its aromas within a few hours

**Don't:**
– Don't put it in the fridge or freezer (humidity and odors will ruin it)
– Don't keep it twisted in the roaster's bag (the valve bag is fine, but after opening, it's worth transferring)
– Don't place it above the coffee maker or in a sunny window (heat and light accelerate aging)

If you'd like to learn about the different coffee varieties and roast levels, read [our whole bean coffee guide](https://gravitycoffee.hu/szemes-kave-utmutato/).

Why does specialty coffee cost more?

This is a completely valid question. The price of specialty coffee may seem higher at first glance, but let's see what you get for your money:

**Quality ingredients.** Specialty coffee is made exclusively from high-quality Arabica beans, grown in ideal growing regions at altitudes of 600–2000 meters. Careful cultivation, hand-picking, and selective harvesting all come with additional costs.

**Artisan roasting.** The specialty roaster roasts each batch with different parameters — taking into account the bean variety, origin, and desired flavor profile. This cannot be done in industrial quantities. We also roast our coffees [in Taszár, Zselic](https://gravitycoffee.hu/contact/), in small batches.

**Sustainability and ethical trade.** Specialty coffee producers receive fair prices for their crops. This is not charity — the higher price ensures that the producer can focus on quality, not quantity. Fair Trade and direct trade relationships are integral parts of specialty coffee.

**Less waste.** In the traditional coffee industry, most of the harvest is bought up regardless of quality. In the specialty market, only the top 3–5% makes the cut — the rest is simply not marketed with a specialty label.

**Bottom line:** a cup of specialty coffee at home costs about 100–150 forints, which is less than an automatic coffee at the workplace — but an incomparably better experience.

Where to buy specialty coffee in Hungary?

In Hungary, specialty coffee is increasingly available. The most important thing is to buy from a **reliable roaster** who provides the roast date and origin information.

**At Gravity Coffee** we roast our coffees in small batches in Taszár, in the heart of the Zselic region. Our selection includes single origin coffees and carefully curated blends — all roasted fresh to order. You can order through [our webshop](https://gravitycoffee.hu/shop/), and we deliver to your door.

The world of specialty coffee is full of flavors waiting to be discovered. Whether you are just getting to know the subject or are already an experienced coffee enthusiast, there is always something new to try. **Good coffee is not a luxury — finding the path to it, however, is one of the best things you can do for your mornings.**

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between specialty and speciality coffee?
There is no difference — „speciality” is the Hungarianized spelling, while „specialty” is the English term. Both refer to the same quality category.

Is every single origin coffee specialty?
No. Single origin only means it comes from a single growing region. To qualify as specialty, the coffee must score at least 80 points on the SCA scoring system.

How long does specialty coffee stay fresh?
It is best between 2–4 weeks after roasting, but remains excellent quality for up to 6–8 weeks. Seal it airtight and store in a cool, dark place.

Can you brew good specialty coffee at home?
Yes! You don't need to be a professional barista. A French press or pour-over set is available from as little as 5,000–10,000 HUF, and you'll immediately feel the difference compared to store-bought ground coffee. The most important thing: grind fresh and stick to the ratio of 60 g per 1 liter of water.

Why is light roast better than dark roast?
It's not „better,” but different. Light roast preserves the bean's original flavor notes—fruitier, more floral. Dark roast is fuller-bodied, more chocolatey, and less acidic. Choose according to what flavor profile you prefer and what brewing method you use.

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*This article was compiled by the Gravity Coffee team. We ourselves work as specialty roasters in Taszár, Zselic, and work day in and day out to ensure the highest quality coffees end up in your cup. Our guide is based on the SCA's official documentation, industry studies, and our own experience.*

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