What is coffee grading?
When buying coffee beans, have you ever seen symbols after the country of origin, like Colombia "Supremo" or "Excelso," or Guatemala "SHB" or "HB"?
These symbols reflect the results of coffee grading evaluations conducted in the producing regions, essentially indicating the grade of that coffee.
There are no international standards for grading; each producing country grades coffee using its own self-determined methods.
This time, we'll introduce you to coffee grading, which might change how you choose your coffee!
What is Grading?
When coffee beans first began to be distributed, they were sold without being evaluated. However, in the 19th century, Brazilian coffee began to be graded, and other producing countries followed suit.
Grading standards vary widely by producing country, with some based on cultivation altitude and others on bean size...
Like origin and variety, grading is crucial information for understanding coffee beans, allowing buyers and consumers to gain a general idea of the quality and value of the beans.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether the coffee beans actually obtained meet the quality standards indicated by their grade, which is sometimes judged through various tests such as appearance and cupping.
Based on Cultivation Altitude
The higher the altitude where coffee is grown, the greater the temperature difference, which results in denser, higher-quality coffee beans.
From this perspective, several countries, especially in Central America, base their grading on altitude.
Mexico
Approx. 1700m or higher → SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Approx. 1000–1700m → HG (High Grown)
Approx. 600–1000m → PW (Prime Washed)
Sometimes, they may also be labeled in Spanish as AL (Altura), PL (Prima Lavado), BL (Buen Lavado), and occasionally both English and Spanish terms are used.
Guatemala
Approx. 1300m or higher → SHB (Strictly Hard Bean)
Approx. 1200–1300m → HB (Hard Bean)
Approx. 1050m–1200m → SHB (Semi Hard Bean)
Approx. 900–1050m → EPW (Extra Prime Washed)
Approximately these four grades are exported. Below these are PW (Prime Washed), EGW (Extra Good Washed), and GW (Good Washed).
El Salvador & Honduras
Approx. 1200m or higher → SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Approx. 900–1200m → HG (High Grown)
Approx. 600–1200m → CS (Central Standard)
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, in addition to altitude, grading is also categorized by whether the growing region is on the Pacific or Caribbean side.
Approx. 1200–1700m (Pacific side) → SHB (Strictly Hard Bean)
Approx. 1000–1200m (Pacific side) → GHB (Good Hard Bean)
Approx. 800–1000m (Pacific side) → HB (Hard Bean)
Approx. 500–1000m (Between Pacific and Caribbean) → MHB (Medium Hard Bean)
Approx. 900m or higher (Caribbean side) → HGA (High Grown Atlantic)
Approx. 600–900m (Caribbean side) → MGA (Medium Grown Atlantic)
Approx. 150–600m (Caribbean side) → LGA (Low Grown Atlantic)
Based on Screen Size
Screen size refers to the size of coffee beans. They are evaluated by being passed through a specialized sieve to measure their screen size.
Colombia
Screen size 17 (6.8mm) or larger → Supremo
Screen size 14–16 (5.6–6.4mm) → Excelso
Beans smaller than screen size 13 are generally for domestic consumption.
Kenya
Screen size 18 or larger → AA
Screen size 15–17 → AB
Screen size 11–15 → C
Elephant (very large) → E
In addition, Kenyan grading also considers the shape of the beans.
Peaberry (a single, round bean that develops when only one seed matures inside the coffee cherry instead of the usual two) → PB
Beans smaller than C → TT
Based on Defect Count
Some producing countries determine grades based on the number of defects found in a standard 300g sample of beans.
Foreign matter like stones or wood chips counts as minus 5 points for one piece, while insect-damaged beans count as minus 1 point for three pieces, and so on. Points are assigned to each piece of foreign matter or defective bean, with a lower defect count indicating higher quality.
For more on defective beans, see here
Ethiopia
Defect count...
3 points or less → G (Grade) 1
4–12 → G2
13–27 → G3
28–24 → G4
46–90 → G5
Indonesia
11 points or less → G1
12–15 → G2
26–44 → G3
45–80 → G4
81–150 → G5
Among G1, those of superior quality may also be labeled as SPG1
Although evaluated by defect count, it is considered impossible to have no defects at all.
Based on Screen Size and Defect Count
Some countries also grade by combining the judgments based on screen size and the number of defective beans mentioned above.
Vietnam
Defect rate 5% or less AND screen size 14–16 → G1
Defect rate 10% or less AND screen size 12–14 → G2
Defect rate 20% or less AND screen size 10–12 → G3
Hawaii Kona
Screen size 19/up and defect count 8 or less → Extra Fancy
Screen size 18 or larger and defect count 12 or less → Fancy
Screen size 16 or larger and defect count 16 or less → No.1
Hawaii's Kona coffee also includes products made exclusively from peaberries, which are considered equivalent to the Extra Fancy grade.
Brazil's Grading
Brazil's grading is somewhat complex, combining evaluations from defect count, screen size, and cup tests.
The defect count grading, also used in Ethiopia and Indonesia, is expressed in Brazil as follows:
4 points or less → No. 2
4–12 → No. 3
12–26 → No. 4
Screen size is sorted by machine and divided into categories from 20 to 13. It is expressed as SC20, SC19, etc.
Brazilian beans also undergo a cup test and are judged by their taste.
Sufficiently smooth and sweet → SS (Strictly Soft)
Smooth and sweet → S (Soft)
Slightly weak sweetness → St (Softish)
Sharp stimulus → H (Hard)
Slight iodine odor → R (Rioy)
Iodine odor → Rz (Rio)
In addition to these evaluations of defect count, screen size, and cup test, the beans are shipped with the port of origin noted.
For example, "Brazil Santos NO.2 SC18 SS" means that the coffee was shipped from the port of Santos, Brazil, has a defect count of 4 points or less, a screen size of 18, and a taste that is sufficiently smooth and sweet.
When you purchase coffee, please pay attention to the grading labels!
It might help you understand the coffee beans better and make your coffee selection even more enjoyable!