Specialty coffee

Specialty coffee is coffee valued for distinctive qualities in the cup: a traceable origin, few defects and a clear flavour profile. At OVRIDE you choose it by taste: we roast it weekly, in small batches, at our roastery near Timișoara and ship it by courier across Romania.

What specialty coffee means

A long-standing industry reference is a sensory score of at least 80 out of 100, although the Specialty Coffee Association’s current definition goes beyond a single score. In practice, the difference is made at the farm: cherries picked ripe, careful processing and serious sorting. Roasting cannot create quality out of nothing; good roasting simply lets the coffee show what it already has.

The score is a starting point, not a guarantee that a coffee suits you. An 87-point coffee may leave you cold, while an 83 may become your morning coffee. The full criteria and context are in our guide to specialty coffee.

Choose by taste

We group our coffees into five ranges based on what they do in the cup, not on how exotic the origin sounds.

• Core: sweet, balanced everyday coffees that work as espresso, filter or with milk. Our decaf is here too.
• Discovery: fruity or floral single origins, for the days you want to taste where the coffee comes from.
• Experimental: unconventional processing such as co-ferment, culturing and controlled fermentation, with intense fruit notes.
• Reserve: rare lots and competition coffees in small quantities. Once the stock runs out, they usually do not return.
• Blends: built for consistent espresso and milk drinks that still taste of coffee.

If you are not sure where to start, our guide to choosing coffee begins with what you want to taste in the cup. If you want coffee every month without reordering each time, see our coffee subscriptions.

How we roast

We roast every Wednesday on an electric, 100% convection Typhoon roaster. Each batch takes at most 5 kg of green coffee, and roasting removes 12 to 15% of its weight, mostly water. For large orders we add roasting days; Wednesday remains our regular rhythm.

Freshly roasted coffee needs a few days to degas, or it behaves unpredictably, especially as espresso. That is why we plan demand ahead, so that when possible the coffee leaves already rested. The details are in our guide to resting and degassing.

Delivery across Romania

We prepare and pack your order within two business days, counted from the business day after the order is confirmed and, where required, paid. On the third business day it is ready for courier handoff; courier transit time is separate. Shipping within Romania is free for orders over 200 lei.

The roastery has no public opening hours and is not a pickup point. If you choose pickup from the OVRIDE Cafe in Timișoara, wait for the email confirming that your products have arrived at the cafe and are ready for pickup.

Tested daily at the bar

The roastery’s first partner is the OVRIDE Cafe in Timișoara. Our coffees are served there every day, as espresso and filter, so we quickly learn how a coffee behaves in real conditions. For cafés, restaurants, hotels and offices we also offer wholesale partnerships.

Frequently asked questions

What is specialty coffee?

It is coffee valued for distinctive qualities in the cup, with a traceable origin and few defects. A traditional reference is a sensory score of at least 80 out of 100, but the Specialty Coffee Association’s current definition goes beyond the score. The details are in our guide to specialty coffee.

Why does specialty coffee cost more?

The price covers selectively picked cherries, careful processing, traceability and small-batch roasting. Price does not guarantee that a coffee suits you, though; what matters in the end is the taste in the cup.

How fresh is the coffee I receive?

We roast weekly and plan demand so that, when possible, the coffee leaves rested and ready to brew. Freshly roasted coffee still needs a few days of rest, especially for espresso.

Do you deliver across Romania?

Yes, by courier, anywhere in Romania. Your order is ready for courier handoff on the third business day, counted from the business day after order confirmation and, where required, payment confirmation. Shipping is free for orders over 200 lei.

Can I buy ground coffee?

Yes. On each coffee’s page you choose whole beans or ground coffee, and for ground coffee you also choose your brewing method. We recommend whole beans, because aromas fade faster after grinding.

Which specialty coffee should I choose for espresso?

For a sweet, consistent espresso, start with the Core range or our blends. If you enjoy fruity espresso, try a coffee from Discovery.