What is specialty coffee in Egypt? Is it luxury coffee?

September 11, 2025

Specialty coffee is a modern art in our current era, focusing on the quality, origin, and preparation method of coffee beans. Coffee holds a special place in our hearts, but the Third-wave movement has brought us a new way to appreciate coffee. From the grind sizes of specialty coffee to its brewing tools, this article will explain everything about specialty coffee and how you can enjoy it at home.

What is Specialty Coffee?

The definition of specialty coffee is simply high-quality coffee, graded on a 100-point scale by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). It must score 80 points or more in a cupping test to be considered "specialty." This type of coffee focuses on:

Bean Quality: Beans harvested individually, from specific farms with ideal growing conditions.
Flavor: The fruity flavor of the coffee is prominent, as coffee is originally a fruit.
Transparency: Knowing who grew the beans, from which region, and how they were produced.
Craftsmanship: Precise roasting and brewing to bring out the best flavors.

If you're asking what specialty coffee is, it's coffee that respects every step in the bean's journey from the farm to your cup, and it's enjoyed only by those deeply immersed in the world of coffee.

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What is the History of Specialty Coffee and the Third Wave?

The history of specialty coffee began with the Third Wave in the early 2000s, when people started caring more about the quality of coffee than just drinking ordinary coffee. The First Wave was about the spread of coffee brands like Folgers, and the Second Wave was about large coffee shops like Starbucks that introduced innovative drinks. The Third Wave, however, is about appreciating coffee as an art, with an emphasis on flavors and origins.

In Egypt, the Third Wave began to emerge with the opening of specialized coffee shops and also with the coffee festival that brings together coffee lovers with the best brands.

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What is the Difference Between Specialty Coffee and Regular Coffee?

The difference isn't just in taste or price – it's a difference in the story of every bean from the farm to the coffee cup. We'll quickly talk about three things that explain the difference: bean source, processing standards, and tasting experience.

Regular Coffee (or Commercial):

Is the coffee we've been used to buying from coffee roasters for a long time. It consists of mixed beans from different farms, often of lower quality, and focuses on quantity more than quality.

As for Specialty Coffee:

It comes from specific farms (single-origin).
It is carefully roasted (light or medium) to highlight natural flavors.
It is prepared with precise tools and refined methods to enjoy all its characteristics and flavors.

This is the difference between commercial coffee and specialty coffee. Commercial coffee is relatively cheap and mass-produced, while specialty coffee focuses on quality, transparency, and sustainability. But what about the taste? How does it differ?

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Is Specialty Coffee Better Tasting?

That depends on your taste! Specialty coffee offers more complex flavors, such as fruit, chocolate, or even floral notes, due to the care taken at every step from growing the beans to preparing them. If you prefer the familiar taste of regular coffee, specialty coffee might feel different, but if you try it, you'll discover a new world of flavors.

What are the Grind Sizes for Specialty Coffee?

The grind sizes for specialty coffee make a big difference in taste. Each brewing method requires a specific grind size:

Extra Fine: For espresso, to produce a strong flavor.
Fine: For Aeropress or Moka Pot.
Medium: For pour-over.
Coarse: For French press or cold brew.

If the grind is not suitable, the coffee might turn out bitter or weak, so it is preferable to use a high-quality coffee grinder.

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How to Prepare Specialty Coffee

Preparing specialty coffee relies on tools and precision. The most popular methods include:

Aeropress: A small device that uses pressure, producing rich coffee.
Cold Brew: Steeping coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours, perfect for summer.
Pour-over: Pouring hot water over ground coffee in a paper filter, which yields a clean taste.

Each method requires a specific coffee-to-water ratio and suitable temperature (usually 90-96 degrees Celsius).

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Conclusion

The Third Wave has changed how we think about coffee in Egypt. From specialty coffee shops to events like coffee festivals, specialty coffee has become part of our culture. Whether you like experimenting with new flavors or making your coffee at home, this article has everything you need to start your journey with specialty coffee. Try it and share your experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find answers to your questions about specialty coffee:

How can I ensure that the beans I receive are truly "specialty coffee"?

Look for transparency in information about the coffee, such as the bean's origin, harvest date, and roast date.

Is specialty coffee more expensive? And why?

It's usually more expensive because production costs are higher (manual selection, quality monitoring, traceability costs), but you get high quality and a different taste experience.