What is Quality Coffee
The term quality is used widely in coffee, but in the context of specialty sourcing, it refers to measurable attributes: clean cup, sweetness, acidity, balance, and distinctiveness. At Nordic Approach, we define quality through cupping scores, traceability, physical integrity, and the intent behind production.
We cup every lot before purchase, and only buy coffees that meet our quality threshold. Coffee quality is shaped by good picking, processing, drying, and storage. That’s why we work directly with producers, exporters, and mill partners to ensure quality all the way through the supply chain.
Quality in Specialty Coffee
In specialty coffee, quality is both a standard and a promise. The expectation is that the coffee scores above 80 points on a standardized cupping scale, but also includes transparency and sustainability along the supply chain.
High quality can show up in different forms — whether it’s a clean, balanced washed Bourbon from Guatemala or a bright, floral Ethiopian Heirloom. But in every case, it starts with intentional production and is maintained through careful logistics, sorting, and evaluation.
Quality Coffee in Specialty vs Commercial
Specialty Coffee is graded primarily on physical standards and price. It’s traded in bulk, and quality is often associated with being consistent, not necessarily flavourful. Quality coffee, on the other hand, is selected for distinct character, low defect count, and performance in the cup.
Commercial coffee accepts a range of ripeness levels or mechanical harvesting, quality coffee demands selective picking, clean processing, and careful drying. The intent is different: commercial systems aim to fill contracts, while quality-focused systems aim to express origin, variety, and producer craft.
Where Nordic Approach fits in
At Nordic Approach, our mission with quality begins long before coffee reaches a cupping table. It begins in the soil, in the hands of farmers, and in the nuanced decisions they make at every step of cultivation and post-harvest processing.