Everyone agrees that coffee is the most iconic beverage in the global sphere! It has a long history, from how it is produced and served to how people appreciate it.
Here, you’ll learn the term wave as one of the evolutionary stages when studying coffee culture. Each of these waves reflects significant changes.
A wave of coffee is an evolving phase of coffee culture, from mass production to appreciation of quality and unique coffee experiences.
Now, the world of coffee enthusiasts is in the third wave of coffee, which means coffee is appreciated more like fine wine!
Apart from focusing on the flavor, third wave coffee also relies on the origin, the brewing process, and the holistic experience felt by the person consuming it.
Let’s explore this article to learn more about what is third wave coffee and how to differentiate it from specialty coffee.
Table of Contents
What Is Third Wave Coffee?
Third wave coffee is a significant movement that places coffee as a work of art. Every step of the coffee process—from cultivation to serving—is meticulously handled to create a unique coffee experience.
The target audience of the third-wave coffee movement is people who wish to appreciate high-quality coffee, lovers of unique coffee experiences, and even those who want to know the origin of every coffee bean consumed.
The Difference Between First, Second, and Third Wave Coffee
There are three or more waves of coffee that you should understand. By understanding each of these waves, we can better appreciate how they have evolved and improved over time!
1. Bean Quality
The first wave of coffee was generally more focused on mass-producing low-quality coffee. Meanwhile, the second wave paid more attention to the quality of the coffee served – characterized by the rise of famous coffee shops. For this third wave, most people use high-quality beans and pay attention to how they are sourced.
2. Serving Method
In the first wave, coffee serving was effortless. They often brewed instant coffee. This method of serving then evolved drastically with new serving methods, including espresso and cappuccino.
Meanwhile, you can freely explore various manual brewing methods in third wave coffee. This makes it easier for you to produce the best-tasting coffee drinks.
Also read: How to Brew White Coffee? 6 Methods that You Can Try
3. Consumer Awareness
The last difference is the level of consumer awareness. In the first wave, they still need to learn the origin of coffee beans.
The higher the wave, the more aware they are of the quality of the product. They now focus directly on the sustainability of the beans, using direct trade ethics, and even the social impact of the beverages they consume!
How Does Third Wave Differ from Specialty Coffee?
After understanding what is third wave coffee, it’s time to understand how it differs from specialty coffee. While third wave coffee is often equated with specialty coffee, you need to see that there are essential differences between the two. Here are some of them:
1. Focus on Experience vs Bean Quality
Third wave coffee provides a well-rounded experience, from the historical story to how it is served. On the other hand, specialty coffee focuses more on the quality level of the beans. The Specialty Coffee Association will grade these beans with a standard score of 80 points and above.
Also read: 8 Types of Coffee Beans in Indonesia, Unique & You Must Try!
2. Sustainability and Ethics
Moreover, this third wave of coffee takes great care to ensure sustainability and ethical production. This approach ensures that each farmer receives a fair return for their products.
On the other hand, specialty coffee might not always prioritize this aspect, even though it still maintains high quality.
3. Innovation in Serving
Generally, third wave coffee emphasizes innovation in its presentation, contrasting with specialty coffee, which places less emphasis on this aspect.
Key Features of The Third Wave
Third wave coffee has distinctive features that differentiate it from other coffee cultures and traditions. Here are the key features!
1. Consumer Engagement
On the third wave of the coffee journey, connoisseurs will be invited to follow the journey of coffee processing. Starting from planting, harvesting, and processing until finally brewing it into a cup of delicious coffee.
How do we educate them? It could be by providing informative coffee labels, exhibitions, or interacting directly with the baristas who prepare the coffee.
By engaging in these three approaches, drinkers will find that coffee is not just a drink, but also can give them a meaningful personal experience!
2. Manual Brewing
Third wave coffee emphasizes manual brewing techniques. Methods such as V60, Chemex, AeroPress, and Kalita Wave are the favorite techniques used by baristas.
This way, baristas and their customers can experiment with water temperature, brewing time, and the ratio of water to coffee. This will result in a unique coffee that suits your taste preferences.
3. Respect for Farmers
What is the third wave philosophy? They prioritize sustainability and ethics. Some coffee shops like to buy directly from the farmers with direct trade practices.
This is one way they show appreciation for the hard work of coffee farmers. Additionally, they emphasize sustainable farming methods to maintain environmental friendliness.
Transparent support encourages many customers to get involved, which ultimately motivates more farmers to improve the quality of the coffee they grow.
What Are Some Examples of Third Wave Coffee?
How is third wave coffee practiced? Here are four real-world examples that illustrate it. Let’s take a brief look at each!
1. Specialty-Grade, Single Origin Coffees
Generally, third wave coffee uses single-origin coffee beans – meaning coffee imported from a specific region. Usually, this type of coffee is characterized by a distinctive flavor and aroma based on the growing region and processing method! You can explore the unique flavors of these coffee beans, with the Arabica and Robusta varieties.
Also read: Robusta vs Arabica Coffee Beans: What Sets Them Apart?
2. Manual Brew Methods
Next, coffee brewing, such as pour-over, French Press, and siphon, is mainly done manually. You should know that these methods are great for bringing out coffee’s natural flavors and aromas. That way, baristas can serve a cup of coffee with a balanced flavor.
3. Latte Art
Do you love latte art for its aesthetics? Unknowingly, this is the embodiment of third-wave coffee too. Not only is it beautiful and the ultimate testament to the barista’s craftsmanship, but latte art also gives you a visually stunning coffee experience!
4. High Design
Finally, cafes participating in third wave coffee usually favor modern and minimalist interiors. The space is designed so that customers can feel more comfortable. It’s perfect for enjoying coffee in a calm atmosphere.
Explore the World of Third Wave Coffee
After understanding what is third wave coffee, you now understand how coffee is considered a work of great value. In every cup of coffee, we are invited to appreciate every process of coffee processing, from picking it to serving it into a delicious cup of coffee.
Want to taste the best coffee beans from Indonesia? Discover a variety of exciting and spice-filled Indonesian coffee variants at FnB Coffee!
Here, you can choose from a wide range of Arabica and Robusta coffees. With their distinctive flavors, these coffees provide a mesmerizing journey of flavors. Let’s support local farmers as we embrace third wave coffee. Visit our website and choose the best-selling beans for the best taste ever!
