Starbucks vs Specialty Coffee: Is Starbucks Specialty Coffee?

Starbucks coffee can be a touchy subject amongst specialty coffee geeks like myself. On the one hand, I would always prefer to find a local cafe that is clearly trying to meet the standards of craft coffee. But on the other hand, the fact that Starbucks is everywhere is just too convenient. With the amount of traveling I do for my music work, I have to admit I drink a fair amount of Starbucks.

For me, there’s no doubt that the typical Starbucks coffee quality is not even as good as what I make at home, never mind the drinks at some of the best specialty cafes. However, the rise of Reserve Starbucks beans has slightly changed the calculation.

So in this article, I’m going to combine my own Starbucks experience with some research into their beans, coffee sourcing, and overall business model to determine just how “special” Starbucks really is.

**Best of Brewing is supported by our readers, and we sometimes earn a commission through the affiliate links on our website.**

Is Starbucks Specialty Coffee?

While many casual coffee drinkers instinctively consider Starbucks to be specialty coffee, Starbucks coffee quality does not technically meet the standards of specialty quality. The quality of Starbucks coffee may be higher than a typical coffee you would get at a restaurant or convenience store. But, it does not meet the Specialty Coffee Association’s (SCA) standards for specialty coffee.

Note: You can consider Starbucks Reserve Coffees to be specialty coffee, more on that below.

Starbucks vs Specialty Coffee: What Are The Differences?

The definitional difference between Starbucks and specialty coffee would be its inability to meet the SCA’s standards—that is, a score above 80 on their SCA Cupping score sheet.

More generally, regular Starbucks coffee primarily aims to create consistency worldwide. They roast darker, use blends, and usually avoid putting specific tasting notes on their bags.

However, specialty coffee roasters almost always include the following, which most Starbucks regular coffees lack:

• Roast dates
• Coffee origin and farm information
• Specific tasting notes
• Emphasis on single-origin flavors
• Usually, lighter roasts that highlight unique flavors

So, what coffee out there is better than Starbucks? Well, look for coffee shops and roasteries that follow the standards outlined above. And if you learn the basics of how to properly make coffee, you can watch your barista and rate for yourself whether your local coffee shop is meeting specialty coffee standards.

Is Starbucks Coffee Good Quality?

I would consider Starbucks coffee to be good quality compared to your average drip coffee at a gas station or convenience store, even if most Starbucks coffee does not live up to the standard of specialty quality. However, this does not mean that their coffee is horrible. They emphasize consistency across an insane volume rather than being at the cutting edge of specialty coffee.

I mean, I was on a road trip in Turkey this past summer and when I ordered my usual Starbucks drink (cold brew,) it tasted exactly as it does anywhere else. That alone is somewhat impressive.

Starbucks House Blend Coffee

• 100% Arabica
• Medium Roast
• Balanced aroma, body, and flavor

Check Current Price

Starbucks Reserve Coffees: The Starbucks Special Coffee Selection

The Starbucks Reserve coffees are the Starbucks special coffee selection, largely a response to the growing popularity of third-wave craft coffee. The quality of Starbucks coffee from their Reserve offerings is significantly better than their standard blends. It competes for the highest quality beans, similar to a top specialty coffee roaster.

While they do include blends, you’ll find many single-origin offerings that change throughout the year. And like much a specialty coffee, the roasting is smaller batch and lighter to highlight the best flavors. While the most legit coffee connoisseur might prefer researching a smaller specialty coffee shop, the combination of convenience and quality of Starbucks Reserve beans is fantastic.

Are Starbucks Reserve Beans Specialty Coffee Quality?

If you’re wondering whether the Reserve Starbucks quality matches the standard of third-wave specialty coffee, the answer is yes. The quality at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Seattle and other locations (New York City, Chicago, Tokyo, Milano, and more) is high-level, both in roasting and brewing.

Besides a wide selection of freshly roasted beans (single origin and blends,) you can also order coffee from a range of advanced brewing methods, such as Chemex, pour over, and even siphon brewing!

If you want the highest quality of Starbucks coffee from their Reserve selections, I recommend checking out one of these locations. However, you can also taste Starbucks Reserve coffees via the Clover Machine at some of their regular stores. The caveat is that the quality is not as fantastic. I’ve even been to Starbucks locations where I had to talk the barista through using the Clover machine! So, don’t be surprised if the baristas are not properly trained or the Reserve coffees are not fresh. Either way, Reserve beans are still way better than the standard Starbucks drinks.

What Is Considered Specialty Coffee & How To Identify It

As described above, for a coffee to be considered specialty quality, it must meet specific standards by the SCA. These high-quality standards apply to every stage of coffee production, including growing, harvesting, roasting, and brewing.

However, assuming you won’t be going through coffee cupping every time you visit a shop, let’s go over a few data points to look out for when identifying specialty coffee.

Firstly, understand that most coffee in North America is not a specialty level. Look out for coffee shops that manually brew coffee (like a pour over) and don’t use automatic espresso machines. You’ll usually see lighter coffee roasts, even in their house blend offerings. Lastly, look for lots of single-origin coffee, or coffee from the same farm/geographic region.

Starbucks vs Other Coffee Shops

One of the biggest advantages of Starbucks is the consistency of flavor across their shops. If you travel around the US (or even the world,) you can expect the same flavors and blends. So in that sense, people who have a favorite menu item probably enjoy Starbucks compared to other shops. I can say I regularly go for the consistent taste of Starbucks cold brew when I’m traveling for work.

But more legitimate specialty coffee shops will prioritize flavor over running such a large business across the country. You will likely find lighter roasts, more single-origin beans, and fresher coffee. Also, some specialty shops have grown big enough that you can find them around the country—at airports, in shopping malls, and in most major cities. Look for roasters like Verve, La Colombe, Blue Bottle, Stumptown, and others.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Hair Bender Blend

Description:

• 100% direct trade Arabica coffee
• Blends coffees from Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa
• Complex flavor with notes of sweet citrus, dark chocolate, and raisin

Check Price

However, if you’re a specialty coffee geek, you will probably have a better experience at a smaller/local specialty coffee shop. There is, of course, no guarantee of quality, but it is always a fun experience to check out a new coffee shop, especially if they roast their own beans.

Why Starbucks Is Different from Other Coffee Shops

The most unique aspect of Starbucks is its size: with almost 36,000 stores in 80 countries, it is the world’s largest coffee house chain. And, remarkably, the taste of their coffee is consistent across these locations. Compared to a typical coffee shop or convenience store, you can quickly and consistently get espresso-based beverages with tons of add-ons, modifications, and alterations.

Also, in the three waves of specialty coffee, Starbucks was one of the few major players driving the increasing demand for higher-quality coffee.

While Starbucks may have lost the most passionate specialty coffee lovers after the rise of better third-wave craft coffee shops, the majority of people love Starbucks for its convenience, consistency, and ability to craft the exact drink you want. Plus, the ease of mobile ordering for fast pick-up is a huge benefit.

What Is Special in Starbucks Coffee?

The most special aspect of Starbucks coffee is its consistency. You can order the same drink around the world and get a remarkably similar experience. You can also order their coffee online or find it in almost any grocery store, including whole-bean, K-cup, and pre-ground forms.

Starbucks coffee in our current times might not be as special as it was 30 years ago. However, the wide variety of specialty drinks it offers (espresso, latte, cappuccino, frappuccino, iced coffee, cold brew, etc) is larger than most coffee shops. Plus, considering you can find a Starbucks store almost anywhere, building up loyalty with the brand certainly has its perks.

Starbucks Medium Roast Variety Pack—3 bags

• Three 12-oz bags of whole-bean coffee
• Includes: House Blend, Pike Place Roast, and Breakfast Blend

 

Check Current Price

What Coffee Is Better than Starbucks?

So, we now know that most Starbucks coffee is not specialty quality. However, some of their Reserve beans do meet this standard. So, what coffees out there are better than Starbucks?

Even if you are talking about a coffee blend like house blend, breakfast, holiday, or something else standard, most specialty coffee shops will have more nuanced flavors than Starbucks. This Intelligentsia House Blend, for example, will be a lighter roast that showcases the natural sweetness of coffee. The darker roasts of Starbucks tend to be more consistent, however, they lack the more subtle tasting notes.

So, if you want the convenience of ordering online and getting high-quality freshly roasted coffee to your door, consider some of these favorite roasters:

• Intelligentsia
• Stumptown Coffee Roasters
• Counter Culture Coffee
• Blue Bottle Coffee
• Verve Coffee Roasters
• Madcap Coffee
• Cat & Cloud Coffee
• La Colombe

Specialty Coffee vs Starbucks: FAQs

Before wrapping up, let’s answer the most common questions about Starbucks coffee quality.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a fuller picture of the quality of Starbucks coffee. Is the standard brew you get at Starbucks worldwide specialty quality? No, these regular brews do not meet the standard.

However, Starbucks Reserve beans almost always qualify as specialty coffee, especially if you are at a Reserve location.

Lastly, one parting thought: while being passionate about coffee and aiming for the best quality is beautiful, I always try to limit the temptation of snobbiness in the craft coffee world. If somebody enjoys their Starbucks coffee every day, perfect! And, if you prefer a higher-quality specialty shop, also perfect!