The Rise of Speciality Coffee in Saudi Arabia: From Café Culture to Jazan Farms
The Rise, Reality, and Future of Saudi Speciality Coffee
Saudi Arabia is no longer just a consumer of global coffee trends. It is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic specialty coffee ecosystems in the Middle East — blending deep-rooted tradition, youth entrepreneurship, modern café culture, and the revival of local coffee farming.
Yet despite this growth, one important question remains:
What truly qualifies as specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia?
The term “specialty coffee” is now everywhere — on menus, packaging, Instagram bios, and café signage. But not every coffee labeled specialty actually meets international standards.
This guide explores:
- What specialty coffee really means
- How it applies specifically to Saudi Arabia
- The climate and storage challenges unique to the Kingdom
- The evolution of Saudi blond roast
- The rise of Jazan-grown coffee
- And what defines real specialty coffee in the Saudi market
What Is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee must pass rigorous sensory evaluation
Globally, specialty coffee is defined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as:
A coffee or coffee experience recognized for its distinctive attributes and because of those attributes, has significant extra value in the marketplace.
Traditionally, specialty coffee required:
- A score of 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale
- Minimal primary defects
- Professional grading by certified Q Graders
Today, the SCA uses the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), which evaluates coffee more holistically, including:
- Sensory quality
- Transparency
- Sustainability
- Consistency
- Fair value across the supply chain
Specialty coffee is not just about a score.
It is about integrity across every stage — from farm to cup.
The Current State of Specialty Coffee in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s café culture has evolved rapidly
Saudi Arabia has witnessed explosive café growth over the last decade.
In Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar, you will now find:
- Independent specialty cafés
- Micro-roasters
- Barista training academies
- Youth-led coffee brands
- Concept coffee shops focused on origin
But rapid growth has also created confusion.
In many cases:
- “Specialty” is used as a marketing label
- SCA scores are not disclosed
- Origin transparency is limited
- Processing methods are not explained
- Storage conditions are compromised by heat
The aesthetic of specialty has grown faster than the discipline of specialty.
That said — Saudi Arabia also has exceptional cafés and roasters who genuinely meet international standards and are elevating the region.
The market is maturing.
What Saudi Consumers Actually Order
The Spanish latte remains one of the most popular specialty drinks
Understanding the Saudi specialty market requires understanding consumer behavior.
In most major cities, the top-selling drinks include:
- Spanish Latte
- Iced Spanish Latte
- V60 Ethiopian
- Cold Brew
Many customers recognize origin names like Ethiopia or Colombia.
Fewer customers ask about:
- SCA score
- Processing method
- Altitude
- Direct trade relationships
Education is increasing — but specialty literacy is still developing.
The Climate Challenge — Specialty Coffee in Saudi Heat
In Saudi Arabia’s heat, storage defines quality
Saudi Arabia presents a unique challenge: extreme heat.
Specialty coffee is highly sensitive to:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Light exposure
- Oxygen
Improper storage leads to:
- Faster staling
- Flattened sweetness
- Increased bitterness
- Inconsistent extraction
In several Riyadh cafés, beans stored near espresso machines or in non-airtight containers showed noticeable flavor degradation within 10–14 days.
After switching to:
- Airtight containers
- AC-controlled storage
- Smaller rotation batches
Results improved significantly:
- Cleaner flavor
- Better consistency
- Reduced waste
- Higher customer satisfaction
In Saudi Arabia, storage is not optional — it is critical to quality.
Saudi Blond Coffee — Tradition Meets Specialty
Saudi blond roast reveals sweetness when sourced properly
Saudi coffee culture long predates modern espresso culture.
Traditional Saudi coffee (Gahwa) is:
- Extremely light roast
- Sometimes roasted before first crack
- Brewed with cardamom and spices
- Served as a symbol of hospitality
Historically, spices sometimes masked defects caused by long transport and inconsistent storage.
But today, a new evolution is emerging.
Saudi Blond Coffee 2.0
Tradition meets modern specialty standards
When specialty-grade green beans are:
- Properly sourced
- Carefully stored
- Cleanly processed
- Precisely roasted
Saudi-style light roast reveals:
- Honey-like sweetness
- Citrus brightness
- Floral layers
- Clean acidity
Without defects.
Saudi blond roast can absolutely qualify as specialty —
but only if the green beans meet specialty standards.
This is one of the most exciting developments in Saudi coffee culture.
Saudi-Grown Coffee — The Rise of Jazan
Saudi Arabia is not only consuming coffee — it is growing it
Saudi Arabia is not just importing coffee.
It is growing it.
The Jazan region — particularly the mountainous areas around Jabal Fayfa — has cultivated coffee for generations.
Recent years have seen renewed investment and interest in Saudi-grown coffee.
Saudi coffee characteristics often include:
- Small bean size
- Honey sweetness
- Citrus acidity
- Clean cup when processed properly
Some sampled lots have scored in the low-to-mid 80s, qualifying as specialty grade.
Can Saudi Coffee Compete Globally?
Saudi-grown coffee shows promising specialty potential
Currently:
- Production volume is limited
- Processing infrastructure is developing
- Post-harvest systems require further refinement
However:
With improved fermentation control, drying systems, and quality grading, Saudi coffee has strong potential as a premium niche origin.
Aligned with Vision 2030 diversification efforts, coffee farming in Jazan may become:
- A premium national product
- A tourism-driven agricultural experience
- A future specialty export
Specialty vs Commercial Coffee in Saudi Arabia
Here is the practical difference:
Specialty Coffee
- 80+ SCA score
- Minimal defects
- Transparent sourcing
- Controlled roasting
- Clean flavor profile
Commercial Coffee
- No formal scoring
- Mixed ripeness
- Limited traceability
- Dark roast often used to hide defects
In Saudi Arabia, some cafés label coffee as specialty without meeting these benchmarks.
Transparency defines specialty — not interior design.
Processing Methods Seen in Saudi Specialty Cafés
Processing method shapes the final flavor profile
Saudi specialty cafés increasingly feature:
Washed Process
Clean, structured, bright acidity.
Natural Process
Fruit-forward, bold sweetness.
Honey Process
Balanced body with sweetness.
Experimental Fermentation
Anaerobic, carbonic maceration, extended fermentation.
Consumer curiosity around processing is growing rapidly.
Case Study — Spanish Latte Comparison
A side-by-side comparison was conducted using:
- Commercial dark roast
- Specialty Colombian coffee
In milk-based Spanish Latte format:
Commercial:
- Bitterness masked by milk
- Dominant roast flavor
- Limited sweetness complexity
Specialty:
- Natural caramel sweetness enhanced milk
- Balanced acidity
- Cleaner finish
- Required less added sugar
Customers consistently preferred the specialty version.
This demonstrates that specialty quality improves even popular milk-based drinks.
The Role of Baristas in Saudi Specialty Growth
Saudi Arabia has seen a rise in:
- Competition-level baristas
- SCA-trained professionals
- Youth entering coffee as a career
Professional baristas now:
- Dial grinders precisely
- Measure brew ratios
- Control water temperature
- Educate customers
Skill level is increasing rapidly — and education is the backbone of true specialty culture.
Challenges Facing Saudi Specialty Coffee
Despite impressive growth, challenges remain:
- Overuse of the term “specialty”
- Climate-related storage risk
- Inconsistent green bean quality control
- Trend-driven café concepts
- Consumer education gap
The foundation is strong — but discipline must match ambition.
The Future of Specialty Coffee in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia stands at a pivotal moment.
It is shifting from:
Trend-driven consumption
to
Quality-driven culture.
From:
Import-only market
to
Emerging coffee origin.
From:
Marketing claims
to
Educational maturity.
If standards continue rising, Saudi Arabia will not only be one of the largest specialty markets in the region — it may become one of its most respected.
Final Thoughts
Specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia is not defined by trends, latte art, or aesthetic interiors.
It is defined by:
- Verified quality
- Transparent sourcing
- Proper storage
- Precise roasting
- Skilled brewing
- Respect for tradition
- Commitment to education
Saudi Arabia is not just participating in the global specialty coffee movement.
It is shaping its own version of it.
And this story is only beginning.
Read More : Arabic Qahwa – Soul of Saudi Coffee Culture
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