Specialty Coffee: what is it and how Barcelona is promoting a revolution in every cup?

Coffee is no longer just a drink that is part of the daily routine. For millions of people, it is an experience.

An art.

A story that begins even before it reaches the cup.

Welcome to the universe of the Specialty Coffee.

From remote coffee farms to neighbourhood cafés in Barcelona, speciality coffee is changing the way we understand – and value – every sip.

But what does Specialty Coffee really mean, and how are the brands that are betting on it growing?

Today I tell you about it.

And if you have a speciality coffee brand or dream of creating one, this article is for you.

The term Specialty Coffee is not marketing. It is a commitment to quality, respect and excellence at every stage of the process:

✅ Origin and traceability: every grain has a name and surname. We know which farm it comes from, who grew it and under what conditions.

✅ Selective picking: only ripe fruit is collected by hand and according to strict criteria.

✅ Quality score: a coffee must score more than 80 points out of 100 in SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) cuppings to be considered a specialty coffee.

✅ Conscious roasting and preparation: roasting is adapted to each origin to respect and enhance its natural characteristics.

Specialty Coffee is much more than “rich” coffee. It is connection, respect and transparency. It is about giving value to each person who is part of the chain.

If there is one place where Specialty Coffee is growing strongly in Europe, it is Barcelona.

The city has not only seen speciality coffee shops flourish in every neighbourhood. It has created a culture:

☕ Third-wave coffee shops that focus on quality, consumer education and manual extraction methods.

☕ Events and fairs such as the Barcelona Coffee Festival, which brings together roasters, baristas and producers.

☕ Demanding consumers who are not satisfied with just any coffee, but are looking for taste profiles, origin and sustainability.

Barcelona has understood that Specialty Coffee is not a fashion: it is a new way of experiencing coffee. And the brands born in this city -or growing from it- are setting trends in Europe and the world.

At TecAIRE we know well the way of brands working with specialty coffee.

We know that it is not just about producing more. It is about growing without losing the essence.

That’s why we offer specially designed solutions for Specialty Coffee:

🔹 ACCURA Specialty roasters: from 100g to toasters up to 60kg to 120kg per batch. With full control of temperatures, airflow and development times.

🔹 100% electric or gas options: to adapt to local regulations, such as those in Barcelona, where sustainability matters.

🔹 Advanced TecControl+ software: for programming and replicating exact roast profiles, batch after batch.

🔹 Personalised advice: we do not sell machines, we accompany projects. We understand what a specialty roaster needs: respect for the grain, consistency and flexibility.

Whatever the size of your project, if your aim is to grow in the world of Specialty Coffee, at TecAIRE we speak your language.

• Will you be able to maintain quality and flavour profile if you increase production?
• Does your current roaster allow flexibility for different origins?
• Do you have the technical support you’ll need when you scale?

It is not enough to buy an industrial coffee machine. You need a partner who understands that in Specialty Coffee every detail matters.

Specialty Coffee is not just coffee.

It is a way of honouring the work of those who grow, process and roast with excellence.

Barcelona is the epicentre of this movement in Europe. And brands like yours are the soul that drives it.

At TecAIRE, we want to be part of your growth story. Without rushing, without losing the essence, but with all the technology and passion necessary for your coffee to conquer every cup.

📩 Contact us and we will help you design your next step.