How to Get Into Drinking Specialty Coffee
A friendly guide by Orsa Coffee
Getting into specialty coffee—and finally drinking the good stuff—has never been easier. We’re lucky to live in a time full of options.
Look around. Chances are, there’s a specialty coffee shop in your city—or at least in the next one over. As cafés grow in popularity, so does the desire for a better-quality cup of coffee in places that care. Your local coffee shop is the perfect place to start.
And if you’re curious to go even deeper, maybe start brewing coffee at home. We’ve put together 8 simple steps to help you dive into the world of specialty coffee. Here’s how to get started:
1. Know What You’re Drinking
When you’re first exploring specialty coffee, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the terms—country of origin, process, roast, tasting notes, blah blah blah. But the best thing you can do is get curious. Look for the source of your coffee.
Supermarket shelves probably won’t help much here. Instead, look for smaller roasters or brands that proudly share where their beans come from, how they’re processed, and what they taste like. Many of them also provide brewing guides or even free tastings. If a brand doesn’t give you any information, it’s likely not specialty coffee. At Orsa, we’re here to help—whether you’re picking a gift for someone just getting into coffee or searching for something truly special. And if you're looking to brew at home, don’t forget to check out our brewing guides on the website.
2. Talk to Your Barista
Baristas are your best entry point. Most of them are genuinely passionate about coffee and happy to talk. Whether you’re trying to choose a drink from the menu or pick up a bag of beans for home, your barista can help guide you.
Plus, getting to know your barista might open the door to a whole new community of people who love coffee like you do. Never underestimate where a good conversation at the counter can lead. In our case led to getting an investor on board, and his favorite is still a latte on the go…
3. Connect Online (But Don’t Get Lost)
The internet is packed with coffee content—YouTube tutorials, brewing tips, gear reviews, Instagram reels, and Pinterest recipes. It can be a bit much, so try to stick with content that feels helpful and approachable.
Some great creators to check out:
4. Attend Coffee Events
Coffee events and festivals are a goldmine. They’re not just about sipping delicious coffee—you’ll meet people, learn from professionals, and experience how diverse and deep the coffee world really is.
Cuppings, workshops, open doors at roasteries, even barista competitions—all of these are great ways to learn. They help you taste the differences between coffees, see how they’re made, and understand what goes into creating that one perfect cup.
Check your local SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) chapter or follow your favorite roasters online to stay in the loop. At Orsa, we are hosting an open cupping each month, presenting different roasteries from all around the world. Be brave and raise your hand when you want to know more, our head barista will be more than happy that you did that!
5. Start Brewing at Home
Whether your goal is to make a solid cup in the morning or become a home-brewing hero, the best advice is simple: make coffee every day. Yes, every day.
You don’t need fancy gear at first. What matters is consistency and curiosity. Even at Orsa, we sometimes toss a coffee that didn’t meet our expectations—but we learn from it. It’s painful but necessary. Brewing at home lets you take your time, slow down, and really understand the process. You will see how fast you fell in love with these rituals.
Follow a recipe, use a scale, get your grind and water right, and enjoy the process. Over time, you’ll get sharper, more confident, and your coffee will taste better. If you need a soft start, let us help you with some brewing tutorials on our website.
6. Take a Workshop or Course
If you prefer hands-on learning, nothing beats a coffee course. Guided by professionals, you’ll brew, taste, and ask all your questions in a setting made for learning.
Check out local cafés in your area—many offer intro workshops or even full courses. (And yes, Orsa Academy is coming soon.)
7. Compete (If You’re Feeling Brave)
Ready to level up? Try entering a coffee competition. But be ready!
Yes, they can be intense—there’s pressure, timing, and judges—but it’s also one of the best ways to improve. Start small. A great beginner-friendly option is Cup Tasters, where you test your ability to detect different coffees. It’s all about tasting, smelling, and identifying variations.
As you grow more confident, you can try competitions where you present and prepare your coffee in front of an audience. It’s challenging—but extremely rewarding.
8. Travel for Coffee
And finally, our favorite tip.
Next time you’re traveling, research specialty coffee spots in your destination. It’s the best way to explore a new city, especially away from the tourist zones. Specialty cafés often have great local insights, a peaceful break from sightseeing, and most importantly, great coffee. Here you can find our city recommendations.Look out for how the shop presents its beans. Try a filter or espresso to get the full picture. Good service, well-maintained equipment, and a passionate team usually speak volumes.
Our favorite tool for this? European Coffee Trip – an amazing resource for finding top coffee spots across Europe.
Final Sip
Specialty coffee is more than just a drink—it’s a journey, a community, and a craft. Whether you’re just starting out or already on your way, we at Orsa are here to guide you, inspire you, and brew alongside you.
Stay curious and let us know if we can help.