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Understanding Espresso and the World of Specialty Coffee: More Than Just a Cup

IT DMK Cargo
Sep 2
2 min read

Coffee has long been part of daily life, but in recent years the coffee world has grown rapidly. From simple roadside stalls to modern cafés, drinking coffee is no longer just about “needing caffeine” but also about experiencing flavor. Two of the most common terms among coffee lovers are espresso and specialty coffee. What’s the difference, and why are they both important in today’s modern coffee journey?

Espresso: The Foundation of Modern Coffee

Espresso was born in Italy in the early 20th century and has become the base for nearly all popular coffee drinks we know: cappuccino, latte, and americano. The extraction process uses high pressure to produce a thick, concentrated, and aromatic coffee in a short time—usually 25 to 30 seconds.

The result is a cup with bold flavors, a fuller body, and a layer of crema on top. Espresso is considered the “soul” of modern coffee because it has given rise to countless variations now enjoyed around the world.

Specialty Coffee: A New Standard of Flavor and Quality

Unlike espresso, which refers to a brewing method, specialty coffee focuses on bean quality. This coffee is graded by independent organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and must score at least 80 out of 100.

The main characteristics of specialty coffee include:

Clear origin: from the farmer, region, and even the altitude of cultivation.
Complex flavors: each cup may reveal unique tasting notes, from tropical fruits and chocolate to floral accents.
Careful processing: from harvesting and fermentation to roasting, every step is handled with strict standards.

Because of its quality, specialty coffee is often referred to as the “wine of the coffee world.”

A New Culture: From Cafés to Homes

The third wave coffee movement has made coffee drinking a more personal experience. People are no longer satisfied with instant sachets. They want to know the coffee’s origin, brewing method, and even the tools used.

This trend has popularized manual brewing methods such as the V60, Aeropress, and Syphon, which allow coffee drinkers to explore the unique character of each bean.

Why It Matters for Indonesian Consumers

Indonesia is one of the largest coffee producers in the world, with diverse origins such as Gayo, Toraja, Flores, and Papua. Yet ironically, many locals are only recently starting to recognize the richness of their own coffee heritage.

With the growing interest in espresso and specialty coffee, Indonesian consumers are becoming more open to appreciating coffee as both cultural heritage and a high-value commodity. This trend also creates opportunities for farmers and coffee entrepreneurs to step up and compete on the global stage.