Have you ever wondered: What is the difference between commercial coffee and specialty coffee?
Every morning, we start our day with a cup of coffee... but have you ever wondered about the difference between the coffee you buy from the supermarket and the one served to you by a professional barista in a specialty cafe?
At Mard Al Qahwa , we believe that every cup has a story, and that specialty coffee is not just a drink, but a complete experience that reflects the identity of the place and the taste of the person.
Table of Contents
Commercial coffee: plentiful... but soulless
Commercial coffee is the most readily available option, found on store shelves or served in many restaurants. It is produced in massive quantities, and the beans are often of medium or poor quality, roasted very heavily to mask imperfections.
The flavor ? Bitter and strong, but lacking balance or complexity.
The price? Low, but it reflects the quality of the grain, not the taste experience.
The goal? To meet a need, not to impress tastes.
Specialty coffee: A journey from farm to cup
Specialty coffee, on the other hand, is a story that begins on remote farms in Ethiopia, Colombia, and El Salvador, where the beans are grown in ideal conditions and carefully harvested. They are then roasted according to the type and characteristics of the bean, resulting in a unique, complex, and balanced flavor... perhaps carrying within it a hint of chocolate, a floral aroma, or the aroma of tropical fruit.
How can you distinguish specialty coffee yourself?
If you're new to the world of specialty coffee , you might be wondering:
"How do I know if the coffee I buy is really specialty?"
Don't worry, the distinction is easy if you pay attention to some small details that make a big difference.
Crop name and origin: The bag says a lot! If you find the name of the farm or region (e.g., Ethiopia - Sidamo or Colombia - Huila), then this is probably a real specialty coffee.
Roast level and roast date: Specialty coffee pays attention to detail. It often states when it was roasted. Freshness is part of the experience.
Processing method: You will find it written: washed, dried, or lactose. These words are not just terms; they explain how the processing method affected the taste.
Scent of the grains: Open the bag and take a deep breath... If you smell fruits, flowers, or cocoa, you're on the right track.
Taste: When you taste it, you'll notice a wonderful balance between acidity and sweetness. The flavors emerge gradually, without any unpleasant bitterness or flatness.
Quick comparison: Regular coffee or specialty coffee
| Specialty coffee | commercial coffee | |
| Source |
farm or clear area |
Unspecified or mixed |
| grain quality |
High (80+ rating from SCA) |
Average or poor |
| Roasting |
Balanced according to the type of pill |
very dark |
| flavor |
Rich and balanced flavor layers |
One flavor, one distinct bitterness |
| the price |
Higher, but it reflects quality |
less |
|
The audience |
Lovers of refined taste and experience |
everyone |
What do you find in the coffee genie?
At Coffee Giant , we don't just offer you coffee, we give you a whole world of choices.
carefully selected types
From light to dark coffee, from Ethiopian crops to the magic of Yemen, we offer a variety to suit every taste. And all have received high ratings from our customers—proudly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why do we believe in specialty coffee at Coffee Giant?
Because we believe that coffee is not a "product," but a moment. A moment of focus, tranquility, or encounter. That's why we select the finest crops, roast them locally in Saudi Arabia, and serve them to you fresh, from the heart to the cup.
Our customers share their experiences with us, praising the speed of delivery, the quality of the coffee, and the details of the packaging—and that's what keeps us going and improving.
Commercial coffee fills the cup
But specialty coffee fills the moment!
At Coffee Giant , we choose to offer you a cup that tells a story... a story of taste, quality, and care.
Did you like the idea and want to learn about how to handle specialty coffee?
If you're taking your first steps, don't worry. Here's a beginner's guide:
Start with a clear flavor: choose a medium roast coffee with a fruit or chocolate flavor – easy and popular.
Try manual preparation tools: such as the V60 or Kalita, they give you great control and make you feel like a barista.
Adjust the grind and water: Try a medium grind with water at a temperature between 92-96 degrees Celsius.
Record your observations: What was the flavor like? Sour? Sweet? Strong? This helps you discover your taste.
Enjoy every experience: don't stress, even mistakes are learning. The most important thing is that you enjoy every cup.
Ready to try? We've got everything ready for you.
If you want to taste the difference for yourself, we are here to make it easy for you.
Order customized samples to suit your taste and type of business – we tailor the experience entirely to your needs.
If you like the coffee (and we are confident that you will), we will refund the sample price after your first bulk order .
Even if you don't buy in bulk, you can simply request the sample you want, or check out the discount codes and offers that we have prepared especially for you.
📦 Try it, enjoy it, and stay with us on the specialty coffee journey.
Packaging and delivery: From the roastery to your doorstep
At Mared Al Qahwa , the experience doesn't end with the purchase, but begins from the moment you open the bag.
We use special bags that preserve the coffee's flavor, with a vent valve to release gases without introducing air.
We make sure that the coffee reaches you quickly and in elegant packaging that leaves a first impression... unforgettable.
Because we know that the most beautiful moments begin with the first sip, in your home, to your liking, and in your time.
Want to taste the difference for yourself? Order your sample now and let's begin our specialty coffee journey together.
Discover the world of specialty coffee with Mard Coffee — passion, quality, and mastery in every cup.
