Specialty coffee, coined by Erna Knutsen in 1974, refers to coffee with a quality score of 80% or higher (Grillside Coffee Co only uses specialty coffee). Unlike "premium" or "gourmet," which are marketing terms without clear standards, specialty coffee is grown in specific ideal conditions, offering unique flavors and minimal defects.

Specialty coffee is roasted in small roast to order batches, packed and shipped directly to you. Meaning you receive coffee at its peak of freshness, guaranteeing the freshest cup of coffee for your enjoyment. The time from roast to delivery is usually between 3-5 business days.

Grocery store coffee on the other hand is roasted in HUGE batches, bagged with dozens of others, boxed and placed in a warehouse for shipping. Once it reaches its final destination grocery store it could sit in a stock room for weeks sometimes months at a time before hitting the coffee section of your favorite grocery store. The time from roast to you could be anywhere between 2-3 months. While still considered fresh its peak freshness is well past.

This is why specialty coffee is so high in demand.

The "Third Wave of Coffee" is a movement that treats coffee as an artisanal product, emphasizing high-quality, single-origin beans with unique flavors. It prioritizes transparency, ethical sourcing, and direct relationships between producers and consumers. Roasters carefully highlight the inherent flavors of the beans, and baristas brew with precision. This movement encourages coffee appreciation akin to fine wine or craft beer and promotes sustainability throughout the supply chain.

Top 3 methods for brewing specialty coffee at home, which offer a balance of ease and the ability to bring out the best flavors in your coffee:

1. Pour-Over: Pour-over methods like Hario V60, Chemex, and Kalita Wave provide precise control over the brewing process and bring out the nuanced flavors in specialty coffee.

2. AeroPress: The AeroPress is versatile and allows for various brewing techniques. It combines immersion and pressure to produce a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.

3. French Press: The French press offers a full-bodied and robust coffee experience by steeping coarsely ground coffee in hot water and separating the grounds with a plunger.

These methods are highly regarded for their ability to highlight the unique characteristics of specialty coffee beans. Choose the one that suits your taste and the time you have available for brewing.

ahhhh the Million Dollar question... The coffee-to-water ratio can vary depending on personal taste and the brewing method you use. However, a common starting point for a standard 10-cup pot (which is usually around 50 ounces or 1.5 liters) of coffee is to use approximately 7 to 8 tablespoons of coffee grounds. This ratio equates to roughly 1 to 1.3 ounces (28 to 37 grams) of coffee per 6 ounces (177 milliliters) of water, which is a typical coffee cup size.

Adjust the amount of coffee to your taste preference. You can use more coffee if you prefer a stronger brew, or less if you want it milder. It's important to experiment and find the ratio that suits your palate best.