Talitha Coffee's Signature 'Arise' Espresso Earns 92-Point Score from Coffee Review
A rare distinction for an everyday espresso and a signal of how demanding coffee evaluation has become.
Talitha Coffee Roasters received a 92-point score from Coffee Review for its Signature Arise Blend Espresso, according to the publication’s 2026 rankings.
In the world of specialty coffee, scores above 90 are considered outstanding and are awarded sparingly. What makes this recognition particularly notable is that the Arise Blend is not a limited release, or competition-only coffee, but Talitha’s primary espresso. It’s the coffee sold in every espresso-based drink across all of the company’s in-store cafés!
In other words, customers ordering a latte, cappuccino, or americano at Talitha are drinking an espresso that has been independently evaluated and rated at a level typically reserved for far more exclusive offerings.
What a '92' Means for Coffee, and Why It's Rare
Coffee Review uses a 100-point scoring system designed to evaluate coffee quality through blind tastings under controlled conditions.
Coffees are assessed across multiple criteria, including aroma, flavor, acidity, body, balance, and finish. Unlike many consumer-facing ratings, the process emphasizes consistency, clarity, and technical execution, rather than novelty or branding.
According to Coffee Review’s own guidelines, scores in the low-to-mid 90s are uncommon. They signify coffees that demonstrate exceptional structure and balance without major flaws. A 92 score places a coffee firmly in the top tier of specialty offerings.
Not only that, but this level of recognition is especially difficult to achieve for espressos!
Unlike brewed coffee, espresso must perform across a wide range of variables (grind size, dose, extraction time, water chemistry, and freshness), all of which can significantly affect the final cup. A coffee that scores well as espresso must show resilience and clarity even under demanding preparation standards.
Why Coffee Scoring Is Often Harder Than Wine Scoring
While numerical scoring systems are familiar to wine drinkers, coffee evaluation is often regarded as more objective and more technically demanding.
Wine is typically assessed as a finished, stable product. Coffee, by contrast, is evaluated at a specific point in time, and must account for variables introduced after roasting, including brewing method and extraction. Even small inconsistencies can affect how acidity, sweetness, and body are perceived.
In professional tasting contexts, a 92 in coffee is often considered more impressive than a 92 in wine, particularly when the coffee is intended for high-volume service rather than limited release. The margin for error is smaller, and the standards for balance and clarity are exacting.
For roasters, this means attempting to produce a coffee that not only tastes exceptional under ideal conditions, but also performs reliably across cafés, baristas, and equipment, day after day.
An Everyday Espresso, Not a Showcase Roast
One of the most striking aspects of the Arise Blend’s score is its place in Talitha’s kitchen.
Rather than submitting a rare or experimental coffee, Talitha’s evaluation applies to the espresso that anchors its entire menu.
High scores are more commonly associated with:
- Single-origin, limited-run coffees
- Competition-focused roasts
- Small-batch or high-price-point offerings
By contrast, the Arise Blend is designed to be accessible, consistent, and versatile, forming the backbone of Talitha’s café experience. Achieving a 92-point rating at this scale suggests a level of precision and quality control that is difficult to maintain across larger volumes.
It also means that recognition at this level is built into the daily ritual of ordering coffee.
What This Signals About Talitha's Approach
Talitha Coffee Roasters is based in San Diego and operates as both a specialty roaster and café group.
While many people know Talitha for its mission-driven employment model, we’re ecstatic to share details of Talitha’s coffee craftsmanship.
The Coffee Review score reinforces Talitha’s emphasis on quality as a foundation, rather than an add-on. By prioritizing sourcing, roasting, and espresso development at a high standard, the company demonstrates that accessibility and excellence are not mutually exclusive.
For consumers, the implication is simple: award-level coffee does not have to be rare, intimidating, or prohibitively expensive. It can be part of a daily routine.
A Broader Shift in Specialty Coffee
The Arise Blend’s 92-point score also reflects a broader trend within specialty coffee, where expectations for “everyday” offerings continue to rise.
As consumers become more educated and cafés more sophisticated, the line between flagship blends and showcase coffees is narrowing.
Independent evaluations like Coffee Review’s play a key role in this shift, providing standardized benchmarks that help contextualize quality beyond marketing language or brand reputation.
In that context, Talitha’s recognition is less about a single score and more about what it represents: a commitment to delivering exceptional coffee consistently, at scale, and without requiring customers to seek out something special to experience it.
Coffee Review’s full evaluation of Talitha Coffee Roasters’ Signature Arise Blend Espresso is available at coffeereview.com
