Specialty Coffee Association of America
Encyclopedia
The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is a civilian trade organization for the specialty coffee
s industry, founded in 1982. The SCAA seeks to set standards for growing, roasting
, and brewing premium coffee
s. Members of the SCAA include coffee retailers, roasters, producers, exporters
and importers
, as well as manufacturers of coffee equipment and related products.
Specialty coffee
"Specialty coffee" was first used in 1974 by Erna Knutsen in an issue of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. Knutsen used this term to describe beans of the best flavor which are produced in special microclimates....
s industry, founded in 1982. The SCAA seeks to set standards for growing, roasting
Roasting
Roasting is a cooking method that uses dry heat, whether an open flame, oven, or other heat source. Roasting usually causes caramelization or Maillard browning of the surface of the food, which is considered by some as a flavor enhancement. Roasting uses more indirect, diffused heat , and is...
, and brewing premium coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
s. Members of the SCAA include coffee retailers, roasters, producers, exporters
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
and importers
Import
The term import is derived from the conceptual meaning as to bring in the goods and services into the port of a country. The buyer of such goods and services is referred to an "importer" who is based in the country of import whereas the overseas based seller is referred to as an "exporter". Thus...
, as well as manufacturers of coffee equipment and related products.