The Story Behind Specialty Coffee With 787 Coffee
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We know YOU LOVE coffee and it’s necessary each morning before going to school, work or the gym But have you ever stopped to wonder why some coffees taste better than others? Why do some taste amazingly fresh? The answer is specialty coffee. The name says it, it's special. But what makes it special, and why do these coffee beans often come with higher price tags? In this 787 Coffee blog, we will discuss the secrets behind specialty coffee and what makes it so exceptional.
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The Story Behind Specialty Coffee
The Secret Behind Specialty Coffee
Unlike commercial coffee that comes from various sources, specialty coffee is single-origin, which means each coffee bean comes from a specific farm and has its unique story and flavor notes, described with words like 'fruity' or 'floral. specialty coffee comes from special origins, with specific altitudes that altitude with special weather where this coffee can grow successfully. These coffee beans are very delicate, so they need special care and love. Each coffee cherry is handpicked with precision when it's just ripe. This meticulous care ensures the highest quality but demands immense labor, contributing to the higher cost of your coffee. On the other hand commercial coffee focuses on quantity, specialty coffee, like what we find here at 787 Coffee, values quality above all, we only handpick the bright red cherries that are full of flavor. Every step, from cultivation to cup, is crafted to achieve a distinct taste experience.
After harvesting, the coffee cherries go through a sorting and specific process, just like our coffee beans that are processed with honey! These processes enhance special flavors. This added stage is labor intensive but crucial for that exceptional taste.
The Attention to Detail!
As we mentioned before, apart from being from special places, specialty coffee is also focused on attention to detail, with specialty coffee every detail matters! Roasting transforms green coffee into the aromatic brown beans we know and love. Specialty coffee roasters meticulously control this process to highlight each bean’s unique character. At Hacienda Iluminada we have professional roasters who take care of the products, now if the coffee is not well roasted such as if you are over roasted or under roasted you can change the delicious flavor of these delicious coffee beans. If coffee is Over-roasted coffee then it can have a bitter flavor and if you under-roasted coffee you can have a herb like falvo. We want our caffeinated humans to taste the real essence of coffee!
. The attention to detail here can either preserve the bean's delicate flavors or compromise the entire batch. This process can take a lot of time from our amazing farmers but it's worth it in the end!
Despite a bag of single-origin coffee reaching high prices in wealthy countries, hardworking farmers often struggle to earn a profit. This injustice just proves we need to work on fairer trade practices in the coffee industry. coffee grown in places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico, costs rise due to higher labor expenses and business operation costs in the USA. This is reflected in the pricing of their exceptional coffee! Now you can have a better understanding of why specialty coffee can be expensive!
Conclusion
Every cup of specialty coffee we enjoy every morning is full of stories and is the result of hours of hard work, dedication, and care. It's the effort on different continents, cultures, and communities. It costs more, but understanding the story behind each cup makes it worth every penny. Next time you indulge in your favorite specialty brew, remember the hands that picked, processed, and perfected your coffee. Maybe this knowledge will make your coffee taste sweeter and better! A great cup of coffee is more than just a drink it's an experience! As we say on 787 coffee every human and every cup has an impactful story!
Get creative and stay caffeinated!
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Less than 1% of coffee shops in the world own a farm. We own Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, Puerto Rico — and Supremo is the coffee it was built for.
Award-winning: Supremo carries the same specialty quality that earned 787 Coffee #3 Best Coffee Shop in New York City and #32 in North America — The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops, 2026.
Supremo is our flagship single-origin specialty coffee: a smooth medium roast of specialty-grade Arabica, grown at 3,000 feet in the mountains of Maricao and honey-processed for natural sweetness and depth. Tasting notes: dark chocolate, buttery caramel, citrus, and honey.
Honey-processed means the sweet mucilage is left on the bean as it sun-dries at the farm, so the sugars absorb right into the coffee — you taste it in every cup. Single-origin means every bean comes from one farm, with full traceability. No blending. No mystery origin.
Roasted to order in small batches — under 15 minutes, never sitting in a warehouse. And every bag plants one coffee tree at Micro Lot 2026, Hacienda Iluminada.
Brew it your way — espresso, pour-over, or drip. Available whole bean or ground.
Make it a subscription and save 10% — never run out of your daily cup. And if you love Supremo, taste it in our limited-edition Soccer & Coffee fútbol-season bag.
Grown with care. Roasted with purpose. Fueled by passion. For Humans, By Humans.
ONE BAG. ONE TREE.
It's fútbol season — try our limited-edition Soccer & Coffee bag, the same farm-grown Supremo roast in collectible hand-painted art.
FAQ:
What is 787 Coffee's Supremo Roast?
Supremo is 787 Coffee's flagship single-origin specialty coffee — a honey-processed medium roast of specialty-grade Arabica grown on our own farm, Hacienda Iluminada, in Maricao, Puerto Rico.
Has 787 Coffee's Supremo won any awards?
Yes. Supremo reflects the specialty quality that earned 787 Coffee #3 Best Coffee Shop in New York City and #32 in North America in The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops, 2026.
What does Supremo coffee taste like?
Bold, smooth, and balanced, with tasting notes of dark chocolate, buttery caramel, citrus, and honey.
What makes 787 Coffee different from other coffee brands?
Less than 1% of coffee shops in the world own their own farm. 787 Coffee owns Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, Puerto Rico, at about 3,000 feet — so every cup is genuinely farm-to-cup and traceable to one farm.
Is Supremo whole bean or ground?
Available whole bean or ground — choose at checkout. For the freshest cup, we recommend whole bean, ground fresh at home.
Where is Supremo grown and roasted?
On 787's own farm, Hacienda Iluminada, in the mountains of Maricao, Puerto Rico, at 3,000 feet — then roasted to order in small batches, in under 15 minutes.
Is Supremo good for espresso?
Yes — its balanced medium roast works beautifully as espresso, pour-over, or drip.
Can I get Supremo on a subscription?
Yes — add a Monthly Coffee Subscription and save 10%. Never run out, cancel anytime, free shipping.
Is this real Puerto Rican coffee?
Yes — 100% single-origin Puerto Rican coffee, grown and roasted on our own farm in Maricao and fully traceable from farm to cup.
Learn more about the coffee you buy and drink at 787 Coffee
Hacienda Iluminada, home of 787 coffee, is the farm where we grow our coffee beans on the fertile mountains of Maricao, where the climate and soil provide the perfect conditions for coffee plants to thrive. The farm uses a combination of traditional and modern farming techniques to ensure that the coffee cherries are of the highest quality making it specialty coffee.
The flavor of coffee is influenced by the terroir, which refers to the unique combination of climate, soil, and other environmental factors that affect the taste and aroma of the coffee. Each coffee-growing region in the world has its distinct flavor profile, making coffee farming a diverse and exciting field.