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Specialty Vs. Mass Produced Store Bought Coffee: Which Is Better?
Coffee is definitely one of the most popular beverages out there.
Indeed, nothing works as a better pick-me-up than a rich, warm cup of coffee.
The beverage is truly capable of brightening your day!
And people are pretty serious about their coffee. It's not a mere drink but a way of life!
Statistics show that more than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily.
And the popularity continues to rise...
But there's also a downside to this fame coffee enjoys. The market is flooded with subpar mass-produced coffee spoiling the whole experience. Speaking as a coffee lover, a bad cup of coffee can instantly put you in a bad mood.
So the kind of coffee you purchase is of utmost importance. After all, there's a reason that it's said that people who don't like coffee have yet to taste the right one.
What should you know about mass-produced store-bought coffee and specialty coffee?
Let's dig deeper, so you will know what the right choice is.
The Difference Between Specialty and Mass-Produced Coffee
Most people don't even realize that mass-produced store-bought coffee and specialty coffee are entirely different in taste, aroma, and so much more.
Let's unravel the difference between the two...
What Is Mass-Produced Coffee?
When people think of coffee, mass-produced brands are all that come to their minds...
You see countless brands of mass-produced coffee in every supermarket and grocery store. It's definitely a budget-friendly option made from beans grown in mass quantities.
The beans used in these coffee blends compromise various types from different countries. This is why mass-produced coffee has a less distinctive, not to mention diluted taste.
Furthermore, mass-produced coffee beans are roasted at a high temperature for an extensive period.
And they sit on the store shelf for quite some time.
What Is Specialty Coffee?
Only high-quality beans grown in specific regions are used to make specialty coffee blends.
These beans are selected carefully according to their flavor profile.
They are roasted at a low temperature for a short period providing them with a lighter roast. And they are brewed using specific methods too.
Specialty coffee is not available everywhere.
You can only find it at specific stores or have them delivered right to your doorstep from online stores that offer specialty coffee beans.
The Core Differences Between The Two
By now, you have a fair idea of what mass-produced and specialty coffee refers to. Let's dive a bit deeper into the primary differences between the two.
After all, making the perfect cup of coffee is essential, right?
Type Of Bean
This is the most significant difference between the two types of blends.
Naturally, the type of bean your coffee blend contains plays a vital role in its taste, texture, and aroma...
Essentially, two types of coffee beans are used in roasting, including Arabica and Robusta.
Robusta beans are usually used by large brands in mass-produced coffee blends. This is because they are cheap. Hence, brands use them to cater to the high demand and cut costs.
Arabica beans are high-quality beans with a better and smoother taste, which are used to make specialty coffee.
Coffee Bean Location
Most people don't realize but the location of where your coffee beans come from matters.
It influences the flavor of beans to a large extent.
Specialty coffee uses beans from a specific location. They are imported from a particular farm in a specific country which is why they have a distinctive taste.
Mass-produced coffee does not adhere to such factors. The brands don't pay much attention to the farm's location where the beans are grown or the country.
Mass-produced coffee blends have no particular criteria for selecting beans.
Grading Of Specialty And Mass-Produced Coffee
The best way to judge a coffee is via its specialty grading. Specialty coffee has a cupping score of 80 or higher to be considered a specialty coffee.
And the higher the rating, the better the taste and texture of the coffee.
Mass-produced coffee uses a mix of coffee beans. Hence, their grading is compromised. In contrast, specialty coffee is made using the finest quality beans. And the beans are filtered after looking for primary and secondary defects like dryness, discoloration, and malformations.
The coffee beans are graded after roasting based on their aroma, body, flavor, and balance. And after thorough testing, the blends are graded. Anything below 80 cannot be considered a specialty coffee.
The coffee grader takes a sample from various batches of a coffee blend to allocate a grade for the bulk.
And this is where the specialty coffee scores, literally!
Specialty Coffee versus Mass-Produced Coffee: The Verdict...
Yes, specialty coffee might be more pricey compared to mass-produced blends.
And it's not as easily accessible, either.
But then, all good things come after you put in some effort, right?
A flavorful cup of coffee is no different.
If you want to enjoy a cup of coffee that will truly satisfy you and leave you content with its taste and aroma, specialty coffee should be your obvious choice.
Once you enjoy a brew of specialty coffee, you will never be satisfied with anything else!
Give it a try today...
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