Modern Era
The Specialty Coffee Revolution
The specialty coffee revolution, beginning in the 1960s and accelerating in the 2000s, transformed coffee from a generic commodity into a craft product...
Key Takeaways
- Erna Knutsen, who coined 'specialty coffee' in 1974, was a secretary at a coffee importing company who became one of the most influential figures in coffee history.
- Alfred Peet mentored the founders of Starbucks, who originally bought coffee from Peet's before starting their own roastery.
- Howard Schultz was so inspired by Italian espresso bars that he left Starbucks (where he was an employee) to start his own espresso bar, Il Giornale, before buying Starbucks in 1987.
- The AeroPress, invented by Alan Adler in 2005, spawned a global community of recipe developers and annual world championships.
- The term 'third wave' was coined by Trish Rothgeb in 2002, distinguishing the craft-focused movement from the second wave (Starbucks-era espresso drinks).
- The Hario V60, designed in 2004, became the most iconic brewing tool of the specialty movement and is used in world brewing championships.
- Specialty coffee represents only 10-20% of global coffee volume but commands prices 2-5x higher than commodity coffee.
The specialty coffee revolution, beginning in the 1960s and accelerating in the 2000s, transformed coffee from a generic commodity into a craft product...
The specialty coffee revolution, beginning in the 1960s and accelerating in the 2000s, transformed coffee from a generic commodity into a craft product...
Timeline
1962
International Coffee Agreement established to stabilize global coffee prices
1966
Alfred Peet opens Peet's Coffee in Berkeley, California
1971
Starbucks opens its first store in Seattle's Pike Place Market
1974
Erna Knutsen coins the term 'specialty coffee' in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal
1982
Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) founded
1987
Howard Schultz buys Starbucks and begins national expansion
1990s
SCAA establishes cupping protocols and quality grading standards
1999
Cup of Excellence program established
2002
Trish Rothgeb coins the term 'third wave coffee'
2004
Hario V60 released, becoming the iconic specialty brewing tool
2005
AeroPress invented by Alan Adler
2007
World Barista Championship established
2018
SCAA and SCAE merge to form the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)
Important People
Erna Knutsen
Coined the term 'specialty coffee' in 1974 in an interview with Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, referring to single-origin coffees from specific microclimates. She pioneered the concept that coffee should be valued for origin and quality rather than treated as a generic commodity.
Alfred Peet
Dutch-American roaster who opened Peet's Coffee in Berkeley, California in 1966. He introduced high-quality, dark-roasted coffee to America and mentored the founders of Starbucks. Peet is considered the father of American specialty coffee.
Howard Schultz
Transformed Starbucks from a small Seattle roaster into a global coffee empire. Schultz introduced the Italian espresso bar concept to America and made specialty coffee a mass-market phenomenon.
Trish Rothgeb
Coined the term 'third wave coffee' in 2002 in The Flamekeeper newsletter. The third wave movement treats coffee as a craft product (like wine) rather than a commodity, emphasizing origin, roasting craft, and brewing precision.
Alan Adler
Invented the AeroPress in 2005, a brewing device that became iconic in specialty coffee for its versatility and the community of recipes that developed around it. Adler is also known for inventing the Aerobie flying ring.
Important Discoveries
1974
Specialty coffee concept
Erna Knutsen coined 'specialty coffee' to describe single-origin coffees from specific microclimates, distinguishing quality coffee from commodity-grade coffee for the first time.
1990s
Cupping protocols
The SCAA established formal cupping protocols and quality grading standards (80+ points = specialty), creating the scientific framework for coffee quality evaluation.
2002
Third wave concept
Trish Rothgeb defined the 'third wave' of coffee, treating coffee as a craft product with attention to origin, varietal, processing, roasting, and brewing, analogous to fine wine.
Historical Documents
1974
Knutsen's 'Specialty Coffee' Interview
Erna Knutsen's interview in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal where she first used the term 'specialty coffee,' defining a new category of quality coffee that would define the industry for decades.
1990s
SCAA Cupping Protocol
The Specialty Coffee Association of America's formal cupping protocol, establishing the 100-point scoring system and the definition of specialty coffee (80+ points).
2002
Rothgeb's 'Third Wave' Article
Trish Rothgeb's article in The Flamekeeper newsletter that defined the 'third wave' of coffee, articulating the movement's philosophy of treating coffee as a craft product.
Trade Routes
The specialty coffee revolution transformed coffee trade routes. Traditional trade involved multiple intermediaries: farmers sold to collectors, who sold to exporters, who sold to importers, who sold to roasters. The specialty movement introduced direct trade: roasters buying directly from farmers, cutting intermediaries and paying higher prices. The Cup of Excellence program (1999) created an auction system where farmers' best coffees were sold to the highest bidder. While traditional trade still dominates by volume, specialty direct trade has pioneered transparent pricing, quality premiums, and long-term farmer-roaster relationships.
Major Events
1966
Peet's Coffee opens
Alfred Peet opens Peet's Coffee in Berkeley, California, introducing high-quality, dark-roasted coffee to America and mentoring the Starbucks founders.
1971
Starbucks founded
Starbucks opens its first store in Seattle's Pike Place Market, initially as a roaster of whole-bean coffee, not an espresso bar.
1974
'Specialty coffee' term coined
Erna Knutsen coins 'specialty coffee' in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, defining a new category of quality coffee.
1982
SCAA founded
The Specialty Coffee Association of America is founded, establishing standards, education, and community for the specialty coffee industry.
1987
Howard Schultz transforms Starbucks
Howard Schultz buys Starbucks and begins transforming it from a roaster into an espresso bar chain, making specialty coffee a mass-market phenomenon.
2002
Third wave defined
Trish Rothgeb coins 'third wave coffee,' articulating the movement's philosophy of treating coffee as a craft product like fine wine.
2005
AeroPress invented
Alan Adler invents the AeroPress, which becomes iconic in specialty coffee for its versatility and the community of recipes developed around it.
Political Influence
The specialty coffee movement has had significant political and social influence. It raised awareness of coffee farmer poverty and unfair trade practices, contributing to the Fair Trade movement. Direct trade and relationship coffee models challenged the commodity coffee system by paying premium prices for quality. The specialty movement also influenced consumer behavior: coffee drinkers became more educated about origin, processing, and brewing. Politically, specialty coffee has advocated for farmer welfare, environmental sustainability, and transparency in supply chains.
Religious Influence
While the specialty coffee revolution was less defined by religious influence than earlier coffee history, the movement's philosophy has quasi-religious elements: devotion to quality, ritualized brewing, and community around coffee. Third wave coffee culture has been compared to wine culture and even religious communities, with its rituals (pour-over ceremonies, cupping protocols), experts (baristas as priests), and evangelism (spreading the gospel of good coffee). Some specialty coffee companies explicitly frame their mission in ethical or spiritual terms, emphasizing sustainability, fairness, and connection to origin as values.
Economic Influence
The specialty coffee revolution transformed coffee economics. While specialty coffee represents only about 10-20% of global coffee volume, it commands premium prices that have raised the economic floor for quality coffee. Direct trade models pay farmers 2-5x more than commodity prices, improving livelihoods. The Cup of Excellence auction system has paid farmers record prices for exceptional lots. Specialty coffee has also created new economic roles: micro-roasters, specialty baristas, cuppers, and coffee educators. However, specialty coffee remains a small fraction of the global market, and the majority of coffee farmers still live in poverty.
Scientific Milestones
1990s
SCA cupping protocol
The SCAA establishes formal cupping protocols and the 100-point scoring system, creating the scientific framework for coffee quality evaluation that defines specialty coffee (80+ points).
2014
Coffee genome sequenced
An international team sequences the Coffea canephora (Robusta) genome, enabling scientific study of coffee genetics, disease resistance, and flavor compounds.
2000s
Extraction science formalized
The specialty coffee movement formalized extraction science (18-22% extraction yield, 1.15-1.45% TDS for filter), applying scientific measurement to brewing quality.
Maps and Locations
Peet's Coffee - Berkeley, CA
The location of Alfred Peet's first coffee shop in Berkeley, California (1966), the birthplace of American specialty coffee.
Coordinates: 37.90, -122.30
Starbucks - Pike Place, Seattle
The first Starbucks store at Pike Place Market in Seattle (1971), the origin of what would become the world's largest coffee chain.
Coordinates: 47.60, -122.30
Historic Images
Alfred Peet
Alfred Peet (1920-2007), the Dutch-American roaster who founded Peet's Coffee in 1966 and is considered the father of American specialty coffee.
First Starbucks Store
The original Starbucks store at Pike Place Market in Seattle, opened in 1971, before Howard Schultz transformed it into a global brand.
Interesting Facts
- •Erna Knutsen, who coined 'specialty coffee' in 1974, was a secretary at a coffee importing company who became one of the most influential figures in coffee history.
- •Alfred Peet mentored the founders of Starbucks, who originally bought coffee from Peet's before starting their own roastery.
- •Howard Schultz was so inspired by Italian espresso bars that he left Starbucks (where he was an employee) to start his own espresso bar, Il Giornale, before buying Starbucks in 1987.
- •The AeroPress, invented by Alan Adler in 2005, spawned a global community of recipe developers and annual world championships.
- •The term 'third wave' was coined by Trish Rothgeb in 2002, distinguishing the craft-focused movement from the second wave (Starbucks-era espresso drinks).
- •The Hario V60, designed in 2004, became the most iconic brewing tool of the specialty movement and is used in world brewing championships.
- •Specialty coffee represents only 10-20% of global coffee volume but commands prices 2-5x higher than commodity coffee.
Related Book Chapters
- •Chapter 1: The History of Coffee
- •Chapter 4: Quality Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •Pendergrast, M. (2010). 'Uncommon Grounds.' Basic Books.
- •Fisher, T. (2010). 'Where Are Our Bridges? The Flamekeeper.'
- •Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Standards and Protocols.
- •Knutsen, E. (1974). Interview in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
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Keith E. Lyons
Author, Researcher & Coffee Educator
Keith E. Lyons is the author of The Complete World of Coffee and the publisher behind Lyons Den Publishing. A licensed trauma therapist turned specialty coffee writer, Keith blends scientific rigor with genuine passion for the craft of coffee.
Last Reviewed
July 22, 2026
Sources & References
(4)Claims are cited to verifiable sources. Peer-reviewed research is marked.
- 1Pendergrast, M. (2010). 'Uncommon Grounds.' Basic Books.
- 2Fisher, T. (2010). 'Where Are Our Bridges? The Flamekeeper.'
- 3Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Standards and Protocols.
- 4Knutsen, E. (1974). Interview in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
Authoritative References
Editorial Standards
- • Fact-checked against peer-reviewed coffee science research and industry standards.
- • Reviewed by the author with documented sources for every factual claim.
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- • Corrections are made promptly when new research or evidence emerges.
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