Today, we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the coffee bean grading system of the world's major coffee-producing regions, which will help you have a better grasp of the coffee bean grading system when you make your purchases.
Ethiopian Coffee Bean Classification
Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, has a strict grading system. The grading system is based on the number of defective beans per 300 grams of beans, and there are five grades from G1 to G5.
Premier Cru: G1
Premier Cru: G1 -Flawed bean content: 0-3 grains/300g
- Features: Highest quality, perfect quality representative
Fine quality: G2 grade
- Defective bean content: 8 pcs/300g
Commercial grade: G3-G4 class
- G3: 9-23 defective beans, better value
- G4: 24-86 defective beans, suitable for commercial use
Kenya Bean Classification
Kenya uses a unique bean size grading system, which is an important indicator of coffee quality
Specialty coffee beans
- Grade E (Elephant Beans): No. 20 Sieve, Extremely Rare
- Grade AA: 17-18 sieve, high quality fine coffee
Commercial Grade
- Grade AB: 15-16 sieve, cost-effective choice
- Class C: 15-10 mesh, suitable for general commercial use
Brazilian Coffee Bean Grading
Brazil uses the NY grading method, which combines particle size and defect rate.
Quality grading
- NY.2: the best grade, with only 6 defects
-NY.2/3 to NY.5: from 9 to 60 flaws
Grading system for Colombian coffee beans
Colombia uses bean size as the main grading criterion, with a total of five grades. Larger raw beans are not only more expensive, but also have a more pronounced flavor when roasted
Top Boutique:
- SUPREME SCREEN 18+: 18 mesh screening
- SUPREME: 17 mesh screening
- EXCELSO EXTRA: 16-mesh screening
COMMERCIAL GRADE:
- EXCELSO EP: 14-16 mesh screening
- USUAL GOOD QUALITY: 14 mesh screening
Indonesian coffee bean grading system
Indonesia's grading standards are based primarily on the number of defects, with special emphasis on the hand-sorting process
Quality level:
- G1: number of defects <11
- G2: number of flaws 11-25
- G3: defects 26-44
- G4A: 45-60
- G4B: 61-80
- G5: 81-150
- G6: 150-225
defects.
Special Marking:
DOUBLE PICKED (second hand-picked) and TRIPLE PICKED (third hand-picked) beans are of better quality because they have been screened several times to remove defective beans.
Central American Coffee Bean Grading Standard
The Central American production region (including Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) is graded primarily on the basis of altitude and bean hardness
Costa Rica Classification:
- SHB (Strictly Hard Bean): altitude >1200 meters
- GHB (Good Hard Bean): 1000-1200 meters
above sea level. - MHB (Medium Hard Bean): altitude <1000 meters
El Salvador and Honduras:
- SHB: 1200 meters above sea level
- HB (Hard Bean): 900-1200 meters above sea level
- CS (Central Standard): 500-900 meters
above sea level.
Guatemala:
- SHB: 1600-1700 meters above sea level
- FHB (Fine Hard Bean): 1500-1600 meters above sea level
-HB: 1350-1500 meters above sea level
Understanding these grading standards can help you choose the most suitable coffee beans according to your needs, whether you are looking for the ultimate flavor or focusing on the price-performance ratio, you will be able to make an informed choice.
