Coffee Knowledge
What is craft coffee?
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Craft coffee is a relatively new term which is all about creating the highest quality coffee using careful craftsmanship. Find out more
The pursuit of quality
Craft coffee is about making the highest quality coffee. In fact, in order to qualify as specialty craft coffee, it must score above 80/100 on the Specialty Coffee Association scale. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a non-profit, membership-based organisation with a strict practice of grading coffee. They represent thousands of coffee professionals, including producers and baristas all over the world.
Craft coffee origins
The origins of craft coffee began with independent coffee roasteries roasting their own beans and experimenting with different flavour profiles. The craft coffee industry took off from there and according to Feast Magazine, craft coffee shop sales grew by an impressive 24% over the last five years. Its success is hardly surprising, given how much the craft beer industry is booming, with consumers becoming more conscious about the products they consume, actively seeking the highest quality available.
Only the best beans are selected
Craft coffee begins with the picking process. Because it’s all about creating the perfect cup of coffee, only the best beans make it through.
Roasted to perfection
One of the key things that sets craft coffee apart from the rest is the roasting process. Coffee beans are only roasted in small batches, giving roasters more control over how the beans turn out, as roasting on a larger scale can over or under roast the beans, possibly resulting in less consistent flavour.
Single sourced
One of the reasons craft coffee is considered so popular is because most beans used in this process are single origin and can be traced back to a single farm or location. This traceability allows consumers to understand exactly where their coffee is coming from and also ensures higher quality beans with more consistent flavour profiles, as the beans possess characteristics which are unique to that particular region.
What is NESCAFÉ Craft coffee?
At NESCAFÉ, we partnered with Grindsmith, a speciality coffee roaster based in Manchester, to create the UK and Ireland’s first craft coffee in an instant format. Our NESCAFÉ AZERA Grindsmith Craft Coffee is a one-of-a-kind coffee experience that’s been created with carefully selected 100% Arabica coffee beans and the rare Quindio bean from Colombia. What’s more, this blend scored 82/100 on the Specialty Coffee Association Scale, making it the only known instant coffee able to claim the craft accolade.
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