Specialty Coffee Roasters Explained (Simple Guide)
What Are Specialty Coffee Roasters?
‘What’s a specialty coffee roaster? And what’s specialty coffee?’ I overheard her ask. The benefit of loud talkers is its not really eavesdropping, when the conversation is so loud you can’t help but hear it. I listened (or rather had to hear) the answer, and while it was clear ‘the explainer,’ knew what it wasn’t, he wasn’t quite sure what it was either. And that brings us here, to help you not be in the same position to kinda know, yet not entirely know.
Specialty vs. ‘Regular Coffee’
Here’s an easy way to understand the difference.
Regular (Commercial) Coffee
- Lower quality beans
- Not much info about where it comes from
- Often roasted in large batches
- Think about buying coffee based on price, rather than ‘value’
Specialty Coffee
- Focused on quality
- Uses top-grade beans
- Roasted to bring out flavor
- Mostly roasted in small batches for attention and overall quality
- Clear sourcing and farmer relationships
The result?
Coffee that actually tastes like something:
- Chocolate
- Citrus
- Nuts
- Fruit
Not just… “coffee.”
Why Specialty Coffee Tastes Better
Great coffee isn’t about adding flavor.
It’s about bringing out the natural flavor already in the bean.
Specialty coffee beans score above an 80 (out of 100), with many preferring beans with scores of 82-84 even.
This score is given by a Q-grader, who includes criteria such as-
Physical assessment – including how the beans look as both green beans & roasted.
Descriptive – sensory analysis regarding flavor, aroma, body, acidity & aftertaste.
Affective – including consumer preference, how audiences appreciate and enjoy the coffee
Extrinsic – Considering factors beyond taste such as variety, processing method, origin and sustainability.
Check out the Specialty Coffee Association for even more in-depth info on the above.
It Starts at the Farm
Coffee is a plant. Like fruit or vegetables, how it’s grown matters.
Things that affect flavor:
- Elevation
- Soil
- Climate
- Farming practices
Better growing conditions = better tasting coffee.
Then Comes Processing
After picking, coffee goes through different methods like:
- Washed
- Natural
- Honey
Each processing method changes how the coffee tastes.
Specialty coffee is handled with care during this step.
Finally: Roasting
This is where flavor really comes out.
Specialty roasters adjust:
- Time
- Temperature
- Airflow
At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we roast in small batches to keep a close eye on quality to bring you the best each bean as to offer.
No artificial flavors. Why mask or hide something awesome?
Why Fairtrade Matters
Coffee doesn’t just come from a place—it comes from people.
Fairtrade helps make sure farmers:
- Get paid fairly
- Work in safe conditions
- Can support their families
When you choose Fairtrade coffee, your cup helps support:
- Education
- Communities
- Sustainable farming
And you can still get amazing flavor.
Specialty Coffee Is Simple (Not Complicated)
Some people think specialty coffee is hard or fancy.
It’s not.
You don’t need expensive equipment.
You just need:
- Fresh coffee
- Good water (preferably filtered, keeping the necessary minerals too)
- A simple brewing method
That’s it.
Coffee should feel good—not stressful.
What Does Specialty Coffee Taste Like?
This is the fun part.
Different roast levels bring out different flavors:
Light Roast
Medium Roast
- Smooth
- Balanced
- Check out our Joe's House Blend
Dark Roast
- Bold
- Rich
- Like our Peru or Philly French
With specialty coffee, you’ll actually taste the difference. No need to dump a bunch of sugar or creamer to enjoy. Great beans with expert roasting makes great coffee.
Real Coffee, Real Story
Let’s make this real.
Take a coffee from a group like El Santuario in Peru.
This coffee is:
- Grown by real farmers
- Carefully processed
- Sustainably produced
And in your cup?
- Dark chocolate
- Toasted nuts
- Hints of cherry
That’s what specialty coffee is all about—
real people, real care, real flavor.
Coffee That Does Good
Specialty coffee isn’t just about taste.
It’s also about doing things the right way.
That includes:
- Ethical sourcing
- Sustainable farming
- Recyclable packaging (that’s just a bonus we throw in, not a factor is grading a coffee bean for specialty purposes)
Good coffee and stewardship for the planet and people around us.
Why People Are Switching to Specialty Coffee
More people are choosing better coffee—and here’s why:
- It tastes better
- You know where it comes from
- It supports real people
- It feels like part of your day—not just a habit
How to Choose a Good Coffee Roaster
Not all specialty coffee is the same.
Factors for you to consider include -
✔ Organic certification (like us by PCO)
✔ Fairtrade practices
✔ Small-batch roasting
✔ Clear sourcing
✔ No artificial flavors
That’s the foundation of everything we do.
Simple Brewing Tips
Want better coffee at home?
Start here:
1. Grind fresh
Fresh ground coffee = better flavor
2. Use the right temperature
195–205°F is best
3. Use the right amount
1–2 tablespoons per 6 oz water as a starting point, adjust for preference
4. Store it right
Keep beans in a cool, dark place, sealed to prevent oxygen disruption
Small changes make a big difference.
Final Sips on Specialty Coffee
At the end of the day, coffee should:
✔ Taste great
✔ Support people
✔ Make your day better
That’s what specialty coffee is all about.
At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we focus on all three—every batch.
Because we believe:
It’s a good day to have a good day.
Ready to Upgrade Your Coffee?
If you’re ready for better coffee:
Try Organic, Fairtrade beans
Find your favorite roast
Brew something better tomorrow morning
From our roaster to your mug—let’s make today a good one
Philly Fairtrade roasters is a USDA certified Organic facility via PCO as well as Fairtrade USA compliant. Philly Fairtrade specializes in small batch roasted coffee, ethically sourced and expertly roasted. Learn more about Philly Fairtrade Roasters.