What Is Third-Wave Coffee, And How Is It Different From Specialty Coffee?
Now we often hear the term "third wave coffee" in stores or on the Internet, but do you know the real meaning of the third wave? What's the difference between the third wave and specialty coffee? And what does the first wave, the second wave, or even the fourth wave mean?
It is not easy to clearly define third-wave coffee. Explanations vary, and some are even contradictory. In order to find out the truth, I interviewed experts in the field and asked them to define third-wave coffee. This article is from the experts' point of view.
Why The Third Wave? What Happened In The First And Second Waves?
Let's take a quick look back at the history of the coffee industry. In the 1960s, the coffee consumption market began to grow rapidly. It was the first time in history that coffee became readily available. This is the first wave of coffee.
As the quality of available coffee improved in the second wave of coffee, large companies such as Starbucks began operating coffee shops and profiting from this business. Coffee began to become a luxury rather than a necessity.
Do you like drinking drip coffee? Or espresso? Do you know the difference between drip coffee and espresso?
More importantly, we began to realize the importance of the whole coffee supply chain. From producers to consumers, raw bean buyers began to pay attention to the production location and processing method of coffee, and this information will eventually be transmitted to consumers.
The above is a very simple definition of first wave coffee and second wave coffee. So what about the third wave of coffee?
Why Was The Third Wave Of Coffee Independently Examined?
The essence of the third wave of coffee is really the best way to enjoy a high-quality coffee.
The third wave of coffee is not allowed to be grown or brewed in outdated traditional ways.
In Dimas's answer, we can see the importance of each participant in the supply chain: producers, importers, roasters, baristas, and consumers. Unlike the first wave of coffee, consumers only focus on "easy access to coffee", while the third wave of coffee is the result of each role in the supply chain committed to developing coffee.
However, these are still vague concepts. Let's analyze the more specific details of the third wave of coffee.
Do you like to brew coffee by yourself at home? Does it really take so much equipment to brew coffee?
Key Points Of The Third Wave Of Coffee
We are improving coffee quality, direct trade, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, shallow baking degree, innovative brewing methods, etc. These are the internal characteristics of the third wave of coffee. We pursue the sweetness, complexity, and uniqueness of the flavor in coffee, and everyone enjoys it.
But when it comes to the more professional part, there is another part we missed, that is, the link of customer service.
Li Guzhe, champion of the 2016 world brewing competition, told the author that thanks to the business model of direct trade, baristas and bean roasters can make consumers better understand the story behind coffee beans.
Drinking a cup of fine coffee produced in the right way, coupled with the added value gathered by the supply chain, makes fine coffee a great experience. It's an experience that combines education, knowledge, warmth, and hospitality.
Do you brew your own coffee at home? Have you ever brewed bad coffee? Do you know what reasons caused the bad cup of coffee?
The third wave of coffee is to create a special experience for customers. Customer service is one of them, and telling the people who taste coffee the story behind it is another. This story is woven by producers, importers, bean roasters, and baristas, which explains why coffee is unique, why you taste special aroma and flavor, and how it is not easy to get high-quality coffee.
This kind of consumer education can also be achieved by establishing a smoother communication channel between producers and consumers, including direct trade and social media.
What Is The Difference Between The Third Wave Coffee And Specialty Coffee?
You may also often hear that "specialty coffee" and "third wave coffee" can be used alternately, so the author asked respondents if they saw the difference between them. All respondents agreed that there was a difference between the two.
In fact, the third wave of coffee does not really mean a cup of coffee but contains all the elements of the favorite coffee, that is, the presentation of the complete supply chain.
Do you like coffee? How much do you know about coffee? As a coffee lover, you can discuss and share some stories and experiences about coffee online with other coffee lovers worldwide.
So if the third wave of coffee is different from specialty coffee, what is specialty coffee? According to the definition of SCA of fine coffee association, if the cup test score is 100 points, it belongs to commercial coffee as long as it reaches 60 points but less than 80 points, and if it reaches 80 points, it can be called fine coffee. These special coffees are usually grown in specific microclimate and soil, focusing on production and exquisite treatment methods (i.e. removing the pulp from coffee beans).
Specialty coffee is an important element of a series of high-quality services because it ensures the quality of coffee that people will drink and systematically evaluates its quality.
Similarly, specialty coffee is the final product of the third wave of coffee spirit. As long as the coffee has a unique quality and is significantly different from ordinary coffee, we can connect it with the taste buds of consumers.
The third wave of coffee is an experience, and specialty coffee is what we come into contact within this experience.
Do you like reading e-books? You can read some ebooks about coffee while drinking coffee.
Can Specialty Coffee Become The Second Wave?
As mentioned above, we combine high-quality coffee with the third wave of coffee, but if the third wave of coffee represents the relationship between consumers and coffee, can we connect high-quality coffee with the second wave in theory?
For specialty coffee, it does not necessarily need the third wave to achieve, and it does not necessarily need to highlight the value of coffee through service. However, it is undeniable that to create a perfect experience, this service link is still necessary.
In other words, the third wave of coffee needs the support of fine coffee, but fine coffee does not necessarily need the third wave of coffee to prove itself.
Do you brew your own coffee every day? What brewer do you use? French press, Moka pot, beer press, espresso machine, or drip coffee? Do you want to know more coffee brewing guides?
The Fourth Wave Coffee, Have You Arrived?
There are many people talking about the fourth wave of coffee. Have you heard this argument recently? Or is the fourth wave happening, and we just don't know it?
In fact, it is very difficult to have the fourth wave of coffee because, in the third wave of coffee, we already have high-quality coffee, meaningful trade relations, innovative brewing methods, understanding of planting and processing processes, and so on.
The fourth wave may represent the highest and ultimate result of the specialty coffee movement. I discussed this topic with several people, and everyone thought that we should not give up the possibility of exploring the fourth wave of coffee.
The fourth wave can be seen as a breakthrough in coffee science. We will talk more deeply about the precise knowledge of soil, coffee trees, and coffee beans.
Coffee News: According to data released by the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Association, Brazil’s coffee exports have reached a new high in recent years. In 2021, a total of 40.4 million bags of coffee (60 kg per bag) will be exported to 122 countries and regions, with an export value of more than 6.2 billion US dollars.
The third wave of coffee is a movement, an experience, focusing on consumer education and services. No matter how you define the third wave, I believe we are very lucky to see the evolution of the coffee industry. With the increasing public attention to coffee production and quality, more equitable and better coffee will be produced, benefiting all roles in the coffee supply chain.
So the next time you enter a third wave coffee shop, don't be afraid to ask the barista what kind of coffee you drink because asking and answering with the store is the essence of the third wave coffee.
You can find some digital artwork about coffee on ArtStation.
