Score 85+ Exceptional coffees

85+ SCA Score Coffee at Terres de Café

The SCA coffee score is used to assess the sensory quality of a coffee according to several criteria, including aroma, flavour, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, uniformity and cleanliness. Beyond the 80-point threshold generally associated with specialty coffee, an 85+ score coffee achieves a higher overall sensory evaluation across these criteria.

At Terres de Café, our 85+ coffees receive the same careful selection and artisanal roasting carried out in the Paris region as the rest of our range, with detailed traceability by country, region and, whenever possible, individual farm or producer.

How to Choose an 85+ Score Coffee

Choosing the right 85+ specialty coffee depends primarily on the flavour profile you enjoy, as well as the origin, processing method and story behind each lot.

• KSF Limmu Bedaye Washed Organic: an organic coffee from the Limmu region of Ethiopia, produced by Khalid Shifa at his Bedaye washing station. A classic washed Ethiopian coffee with notes of peach, sweet spices and milk chocolate.
• Taba Hills Natural Organic: a Rwandan coffee produced from certified organic Bourbon plots cultivated by the Taba community across 15 villages. Expect aromas of caramel and chocolate on the nose, followed by yellow fruit and milk chocolate in the cup.
• Finca Santa Maria – Washed Caturra: a Colombian coffee produced by Armando Benavides, a pioneer of long-established agroforestry practices in Colombia, on his eight-hectare farm. It produces a rounded cup with notes of caramel, yellow fruit and 70% dark chocolate. This coffee is transported by sailing ship.
• Yeti Organic: one of Terres de Café's emblematic coffees and the first lot sourced by our founder Christophe Servell in 2009, from the forests of Wallaga in Ethiopia. Awarded a silver medal at the Prix Épicures de l'Épicerie Fine in 2018, it offers notes of chocolate, almond, bergamot and red fruit.

These four coffees illustrate the diversity of our 85+ score coffee selection, bringing together distinctive lots from Ethiopian forests, a small Rwandan producer community and the pioneering farm of a Colombian coffee producer.

85+ vs 80+ and 88+ Coffee Scores: What's the Difference?

The SCA score provides an overall assessment of a coffee's sensory quality. A higher score reflects a stronger overall evaluation across the different criteria assessed during professional tasting.

At Terres de Café, our 85+ exceptional coffees sit between our 80+ coffees, which offer an excellent introduction to specialty coffee and strong value for money, and our 88+ Grand Cru coffees, which represent some of the highest-scoring coffees in our selection.

The 85+ range is ideal for coffee drinkers looking to explore more distinctive and complex sensory profiles. Rarity, production volume and micro-lot status can also contribute to the identity of a coffee, but these characteristics are separate from the sensory score itself.

85+ Whole Bean or Ground Coffee: Which Format Should You Choose?

Whole bean coffee generally retains its aromatic qualities for longer than pre-ground coffee because grinding increases the surface area exposed to oxygen, accelerating oxidation and the evolution of volatile aromas.

If you have a coffee grinder, grinding only the amount you need immediately before brewing gives you greater control over both freshness and grind size.

Ground coffee, however, remains a convenient option if you do not have a grinder or simply want coffee that is ready to brew. Our whole bean and ground coffee selections both include coffees from our 85+ score range.

How to Store 85+ Specialty Coffee

To preserve the aromatic qualities of your 85+ specialty coffee, keep it away from light, heat, moisture and significant temperature fluctuations.

Store your coffee in its original resealable bag or a suitable airtight container at a stable room temperature. For everyday storage, a cool, dry cupboard is generally preferable to the refrigerator, where repeated exposure to moisture and temperature changes can affect the coffee.

If you buy whole bean coffee, grind only the amount you need immediately before brewing to help preserve its aromatic qualities.

FAQ About 85+ SCA Score Coffee

What Is the Difference Between an 85+ and an 80+ Score Coffee?

Both belong to the world of specialty coffee. An 85+ coffee achieves a higher overall sensory evaluation across criteria such as aroma, flavour, acidity, body, aftertaste and balance.

This does not mean that an 80+ coffee is not a high-quality coffee. Our 80+ selection offers an excellent introduction to specialty coffee, while the 85+ range allows you to explore coffees with a higher overall sensory score and often more distinctive flavour profiles.

How Is a Coffee Score Calculated?

Coffee is professionally tasted and evaluated according to a standardised sensory protocol. Different aspects of the cup are assessed, including aroma, flavour, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, uniformity and cleanliness, contributing to the coffee's overall score.

Are All 85+ Score Coffees Organic?

No. The SCA score and organic certification measure different aspects of a coffee. The score relates to sensory evaluation, while organic certification concerns farming and production standards.

However, several coffees in our 85+ selection are certified organic, including KSF Limmu Bedaye Washed Organic and Yeti Organic.

Are 85+ Coffees Available as Whole Bean and Ground Coffee?

Yes. Our 85+ score coffees are available across our whole bean and ground coffee selections, with different grind options available for ground coffee depending on your chosen brewing method.