Short answer: Commercial coffee is coffee produced in large quantities and at a low price to meet broad demand. It is often a blend from multiple sources with a dark roast and is not subject to the quality assessment that specialty coffee goes through (80 points or more according to SCA standards), so its flavor is simpler and more bitter.
Coffee, that wonderful beverage, enjoys great popularity throughout the world, and the Middle East in particular, due to its wonderful taste and distinctive aromatic scent. It is a drink extracted from roasted coffee beans, which are ground according to preference from coarse to medium or fine grinding. Commercial coffee differs from its counterparts, especially specialty coffee. Commercial coffee is grown in agricultural areas to a very large extent, and little attention is paid to each coffee bean individually. Here, the focus is on the production as a whole, meaning that the fruits are picked without regard to the ripeness of the coffee bean or not. It is produced, collected, and then distributed for mass consumption. In this type of coffee, the beans are roasted to a darker degree to make them uniform. It is produced in huge quantities to serve markets and large shopping malls, and it usually has a high acidity and more bitterness.
Contents of the article:
The difference between commercial and specialty coffee.
Which is better, specialty or commercial coffee in Saudi Arabia?
How is commercial coffee classified?
Commercial and specialty coffee from Luxury Coffee Shop.
The difference between commercial and specialty coffee:
First: Definition:
Specialty coffee: This is coffee whose fruits are picked with great care, and only fully ripe fruits are picked. It receives great attention, from its cultivation to its harvesting and the method of roasting it, which is very ideal to ensure the quality of the product.
As for commercial coffee: as we mentioned previously, it is picked whole without regard to the degree of ripeness, and to avoid this, it is roasted to reach a high degree of darkening, and therefore this affects its taste.
The difference between them:
1- In terms of quality, this difference certainly makes both commercial coffee and specialty coffee different from each other. Specialty coffee goes through a process of great care and attention by those working on it, in terms of the degree of roasting, acidity and the balance between them. It is a very precise process in which care is taken to reach the high quality in it.
As for commercial coffee, the focus is not on achieving high quality and efficiency, as it is grown, harvested and roasted in large quantities without regard to whether it reaches high quality or not.
2- In terms of cultivation, specialty coffee differs in its cultivation from commercial coffee. It is grown on small farms which in turn focus on the quantity grown and its quality, using agricultural methods and means that ensure the coffee bean reaches a high degree of quality.
As for commercial coffee, it is grown on large farms. It is worth mentioning that the soil of those farms is very ideal, but they are on large and wide areas. Some of the places where it is grown are Colombia and Ethiopia.
3- In terms of production, the production process differs between the two types. Specialty coffee involves paying close attention to the production process, with precise steps that seem well-thought-out.
As for commercial coffee, it is harvested using machines, which leads to harvesting many unripe fruits along with ripe fruits, which definitely affects its taste and quality.
4- In terms of roasting degree, roasting is an integral part of the taste of the coffee drink, and its taste depends on it. Specialty coffee is roasted to a light to medium degree, in order to bring out all the flavors specific to the coffee beans, each separately, giving it a more complex and distinctive experience.
Commercial coffee, on the other hand, is roasted more heavily, until it reaches a high degree of darkness and a dark color, making it more acidic and bitter.
5- In terms of source, specialty coffee is more reliable than commercial coffee, because it is easy for you to know the source of the coffee beans, as well as the country and even the place where they were grown. It allows the consumer to know its source with ease and convenience.
As for commercial coffee, it is difficult for the consumer to know the source of its coffee beans.
6- In terms of flavor, specialty coffee is distinguished by its rich, distinctive flavor, and why not, as it is of high quality and its taste ranges between a mixture of fruits and a sour taste, in addition to the taste of cocoa.
As for commercial coffee, it is characterized by its consistent taste and uniform flavor, giving the consumer a consistent and uniform experience.
7- In terms of price, with the advantages of specialty coffee mentioned in our article, it is certainly more expensive than its commercial counterpart, due to the more precise method of cultivation and harvesting of it than commercial coffee.
8- In terms of savings, commercial coffee is more readily available, especially in markets and large stores, due to its daily consumption, unlike specialty coffee, which is difficult to access. However, if you want to obtain it easily, you can contact the Luxury Coffee store to provide it for you.
Read also: What are the types of coffee and the difference between them?
Read also: Is specialty coffee suitable during Ramadan?
Which is better in Saudi Arabia: specialty coffee or commercial coffee?
The Saudi people, known for their discerning palates, enjoy tasting the many types of coffee available to them. Specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia is very popular and highly valued due to its high quality, which Saudis seek. They are a people of high culture and integrity, so they are always looking for a reliable source and method of coffee cultivation and harvesting, which ensures a high degree of quality and safety. This also supports and motivates farmers to produce specialty coffee in this safe way. Recently, many markets have emerged that support and provide specialty coffee, giving the consumer a wide choice. As for commercial coffee, it is the most consumed option during the day due to its availability and low price.
Read also: The best types of Arabic coffee in Saudi Arabia
How is commercial coffee classified?
The process of classifying between commercial coffee and specialty coffee is very different. Specialty coffee has recently obtained a percentage of 80% or more according to the international standards set by the American Coffee Association out of 100%, as every process in it goes through the specified standards such as cultivation, acidity, balance and degree of roasting. As for commercial coffee, it does not rely much on these standards at all, which leads to a lack of quality in it.
Commercial and specialty coffee from Luxury Coffee Shop:
Whether you're a specialty coffee enthusiast looking to experience its exquisite taste and high quality, or you're a coffee shop owner or café owner seeking commercially available coffee, Rafahia Coffee offers the finest specialty and commercial coffees at the best possible prices. Simply contact Rafahia Coffee to easily purchase both. You can also find top-quality coffee equipment and tools in our store. Browse our selection now.