The Specialty Coffee Association of America, created by Erna Knutsen, defines a rating grid* (The Green Arabica Coffee Classification System (GACCS)) consisting of physical and sensory criteria to assess the quality of a coffee.
The SCA score is based on a tasting scale that rates different aspects of coffee, such as aroma, taste, acidity, body and aftertaste (aftertaste). Each aspect is scored individually and then an overall score is given to the coffee.
The SCA scoring system ranges from 0 to 100, where a coffee gets a higher score if it exhibits higher quality characteristics. Specialty coffees, which are considered the highest quality coffees, typically have an SCA score of 80 or higher.
On a scale of 100 points, a coffee is said to be "specialty" if it obtains a score of at least 80:
+ 88 Grand Cru coffees
+85 Exceptional coffee
+80 Very good specialty coffee
A specialty coffee therefore meets three minimum requirements:
- Hand picking of ripe beans only.
- Rating 80 or more/100
- No major defects and less than 5 minor defects.