Curious what specialty coffee really is- and why it tastes so different from regular coffee?

In this blog, we’ll explain what makes specialty coffee unique — from the bean to the roast, and why Stooker Coffee Roasters in Amsterdam has made it their passion.

What is specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee is coffee of exceptional quality, made from carefully selected beans. The term doesn’t just refer to “good coffee” but to beans that score 80 points or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale. Only a small percentage of the world’s coffee harvest meets this standard.

In the Netherlands, interest in specialty coffee is growing fast- especially among coffee lovers who want more than just caffeine. They want to understand the origin, craftsmanship, and flavor behind every cup.

From plant to cup: care in every step

The difference between regular and specialty coffee lies in the attention to detail at every stage. Specialty coffee comes from specific regions, often from a single farm or plot (known as single origin). The way the coffee cherry is processed, washed, natural, or honey — has a major influence on its flavor.

At Stooker Coffee Roasters Amsterdam, we roast lighter than traditional dark roasts, allowing the bean’s natural flavors to shine through. Whether you brew espresso or filter coffee, precision matters, from weighing and grinding to extraction, to bring out the very best in every bean.

The taste of craftsmanship

While regular coffee often tastes bitter, specialty coffee is known for its complexity, with notes of fruit, floral aromas, or chocolate sweetness. Each coffee tells a story of its origin, climate, and the craftsmanship behind it.

At Stooker, you can literally taste that story- in our espresso bar, during a coffee workshop, or through our coffee subscription, which delivers fresh, sustainable beans from our roastery to your door every month.

Want to perfect your brew at home with methods like the V60 or AeroPress? Visit Koffiepraat.nl for helpful guides and brewing tips.

Why choose specialty coffee from Stooker?

As an Amsterdam-based coffee roastery, we believe coffee is more than a drink — it’s a craft. We work directly with farmers around the world, roast in small batches, and keep our supply chain as sustainable and transparent as possible.

Whenever we can, we buy through direct trade, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices and that quality remains visible throughout the entire process. You can learn more about fair trade practices at Fairtrade.net. This way, you’re not only enjoying the best coffee beans, but also contributing to a fairer coffee industry.

Regular coffee vs. specialty coffee: what’s the difference?

The difference lies in quality, origin, and care. While mass-produced coffee often hides bitterness behind dark roasting, specialty coffee celebrates purity, flavor, and respect for the product.

So whether you’re brewing filter coffee at home or looking for the best coffee beans in Amsterdam, you’ll taste the difference at Stooker.