What the SCA score means in specialty coffee

In the world of specialty coffee, numbers such as 82, 84, 86 or even more than 90 points appear quite often. At first glance, they may seem purely technical, but they help us better understand the quality and potential of a coffee.

The SCA score is a way of evaluating coffee from a sensory point of view. It does not replace personal taste, but it offers a useful reference for understanding clarity, sweetness, acidity, body, balance and complexity.

At 98% Monkey, we believe that good coffee should not be explained only with numbers. But those numbers can help tell its story more clearly.

What is the SCA score

SCA stands for Specialty Coffee Association, an international organisation connected to specialty coffee.

For many years, the SCA score has been used as a reference to evaluate coffee on a scale from 0 to 100 points. In general, a coffee that reaches 80 points or more can be considered specialty coffee.

But not all specialty coffees are the same. Between a coffee scoring 82 points and one scoring 88, there can be important differences in clarity, complexity, sweetness and elegance in the cup.

How to understand the points

A simple way to understand the score is this:

• 80-84 points: good, clean and pleasant specialty coffees
• 85-89 points: more complex, expressive and outstanding coffees
• 90 points or more: exceptional, very limited and high-end coffees

This does not mean that an 84-point coffee is “bad”. Quite the opposite: it can be an excellent coffee for everyday drinking. What matters is understanding the kind of experience each lot offers.

What is evaluated in a tasting

When coffee is evaluated, it is not just about whether it “tastes good”. Different aspects of the cup are analysed, such as:

• aroma
• flavour
• acidity
• body
• sweetness
• balance
• cleanliness
• aftertaste
• uniformity
• overall impression

A well-scored coffee is usually clean, pleasant, well structured and free from major defects.

The number is not everything

Although the score is useful, it should not be the only thing guiding your choice. A coffee can have a high score and still not match your personal taste.

For example, a very floral, citrusy and delicate coffee can be spectacular for one person, but too bright for someone who prefers a sweeter, creamier and more chocolatey cup.

That is why, besides the score, it is worth paying attention to:

• origin
• process
• variety
• tasting notes
• recommended brewing method
• overall coffee profile

The best coffee is not always the one with the highest score, but the one you enjoy most in your cup.

Why some coffees cost more

The score can also influence the price. Higher-scoring coffees are often rarer, harder to produce and more sought after.

Behind those coffees there is usually more careful selection, better growing conditions, more precise processing and clearer traceability.

That is why a high-scoring coffee is not paid for only because of the number, but because of all the work behind it.

How to use this information when buying

If you are looking for an everyday coffee, a lot between 80 and 84 points can be a great choice: good quality, a more accessible price and an enjoyable profile.

If you want something more special, complex or expressive, it may be worth trying coffees scoring 85 points or more.

And if you are looking for a truly exclusive experience, coffees scoring 90 points or more usually belong to a very limited and special category.

Our way of seeing it

At 98% Monkey, we use the score as a reference, not as an empty label. For us, a coffee has to make sense in the cup: it should be clean, enjoyable, well roasted and consistent with what it promises.

A number can catch your attention, but what really matters is what happens when you brew the coffee and drink it.

Discover our selection

Discover our coffees at www.coffee98monkey.com and find the profile that best suits you, beyond the number.