Quick answer: Gourmet coffee is high-quality coffee, usually 100% arabica, grown in good conditions, hand-picked, carefully processed and freshly roasted to show off its natural flavors. “Gourmet” is a marketing word with no official standard; the closest formal measure is “specialty coffee”, which the Specialty Coffee Association applies to beans scoring 80 or more out of 100.
Coffee lovers increasingly treat coffee the way people treat wine: the origin, the variety and the roast all change what ends up in the cup. Here is what makes coffee “gourmet”, how it differs from regular coffee, and whether it is worth paying for.
In this guide 5 sections
What is gourmet coffee?
“Gourmet coffee” is an umbrella term for coffee where quality comes first at every step: the bean, the farm, the processing and the roast. Because the term isn’t regulated, any brand can print it on a bag. A more meaningful signal is “specialty coffee”, which refers to green coffee that scores 80 points or more on the Specialty Coffee Association’s 100-point cupping scale (Royal Coffee explains how the scores work).
What makes coffee gourmet?
The bean
There are two main types of coffee beans, arabica and robusta. Gourmet coffees are usually 100% arabica, which has a sweeter, more complex flavor. Arabica is harder to grow: it is more vulnerable to disease and pests and does best at higher altitudes, often above about 1,200 meters, with mild temperatures around 20°C (70°F). Robusta is cheaper and easier to grow, has roughly twice the caffeine and tastes harsher and more bitter. Learn more in our guide to unique coffee beans from around the world.
The farm
Soil, altitude, rainfall, temperature and plant health all shape a coffee’s flavor. Many of the most prized coffees come from mountainous tropical regions with rich volcanic soil, often from smaller farms that can give the plants close attention. That is why gourmet coffee is often sold as single origin coffee, traceable to one country, region or farm.
Harvesting and processing
Picking by hand lets farmers choose only ripe cherries and leave unripe ones on the tree. The beans are then processed (for example washed or dried in the sun) and sorted to remove defective beans before export. Cheaper coffee is more likely to include unripe or defective beans, which add off flavors.
The roast
Gourmet roasters typically roast lighter than mass-market brands to keep the bean’s own flavors, such as berry, chocolate, honey or citrus, rather than covering them with a dark, smoky roast. The beans are packed in bags with one-way valves that let carbon dioxide escape while keeping air out, and are best ground just before brewing.
What is the difference between gourmet and regular coffee?
| Gourmet coffee | Regular coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | Usually 100% arabica | Arabica, robusta or blends |
| Sourcing | Often single origin, traceable | Usually blended from many sources |
| Sorting | Ripe, hand-picked, defects removed | Less selective |
| Roast | Often lighter, to show origin flavors | Often darker, for a consistent taste |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Is gourmet coffee worth it?
If you drink your coffee black or with a little milk and enjoy noticing flavors, usually yes: the extra care in growing, sorting and roasting shows up in the cup. If you take coffee with lots of sugar and flavored creamer, the difference is much harder to taste. Whatever you buy, freshness matters as much as the label, so check the roast date and see our tips on keeping coffee fresh. For picks, see our list of the best whole coffee beans.
Frequently asked questions
Is gourmet coffee the same as specialty coffee?
Not exactly. “Specialty” has a defined meaning: coffee scoring 80 or more on the SCA cupping scale. “Gourmet” is an unregulated marketing term, so a gourmet label alone doesn’t guarantee quality.
Why is gourmet coffee more expensive?
Arabica is harder to grow and yields less, hand-picking and sorting take more labor, and small-batch roasting costs more. Those costs are passed on in the price.
Is flavored coffee gourmet coffee?
Not necessarily. Gourmet coffee’s flavors come from the bean itself, while flavored coffee has added flavorings. Read how coffee beans are flavored to learn the difference.
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