“Understanding what specialty-grade coffee really means and why transparency matters.”
These days, the term “specialty coffee” is everywhere. It’s printed on bags, café menus, and online stores, but what does it actually mean? For us, specialty coffee isn’t a marketing buzzword. It’s an industry standard.
What Makes Coffee “Specialty Grade”?
A coffee is considered specialty grade when it is professionally evaluated by certified coffee graders and scores 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale.
These coffees are evaluated for:
Aroma • Flavor • Sweetness • Acidity • Body • Balance • Uniformity • Absence of Defects
At Trieu Dai Coffee, every coffee we source has been professionally graded, and we intend to keep it that way.
Specialty Coffee Is Continuously Evaluated
Coffee isn’t graded once and forgotten. Throughout the year, producers often submit the same lots to additional evaluations and competitions as the coffee develops under proper storage conditions. Those scores can change over time, which is why you’ll often see the same producer competing multiple times throughout the harvest season.
Every Competition Sample Is an Investment
Every sample sent for grading, quality evaluation, or competition is coffee that never reaches the marketplace.
For small specialty producers, especially those producing limited microlots, that’s a meaningful investment. They’re choosing to dedicate part of their harvest to quality validation rather than immediate sales.
Why Awards Matter
Competition results aren’t simply trophies.
They provide:
✔ Independent quality verification
✔ Recognition for producers
✔ Valuable sensory feedback
✔ Greater visibility for Vietnamese specialty coffee
Why This Matters to Us
When you purchase from Trieu Dai Coffee, you’re supporting producers who continuously invest in improving quality, pursuing independent evaluation, and showcasing Vietnam’s specialty coffee on the world stage.
We believe the value should remain where it begins—with the farmers, the processors, and the communities that make these extraordinary coffees possible.
Our role is simply to bring those stories and those coffees to your cup.
Specialty Coffee Score Guide
Outstanding
90–100 points
Excellent
85–89.99 points
Very Good (Specialty Grade)
80–84.99 points
Commercial Grade
Below 80 points
Every Trieu Dai Coffee offering is sourced from professionally graded coffees scoring 80 points or higher. Many of our producer partners consistently achieve scores in the mid-to-high 80s through independent evaluations and national competitions.