Kenya Coffee Grading System What are the Characteristics of Kenyan Coffee? Kenya Coffee Beans

What is Coffee Bean Grading?

When we look at single-origin coffees, we often see long names with one or two abbreviations like PB, AA, G1, etc. These actually represent the grades given to coffee beans by their producing countries.

No Universal Coffee Bean Grading System

It's important to note that there is no universal coffee bean grading system in this world (underline this). The grading names and criteria are actually determined by each producing country themselves. There are several points we must pay special attention to when discussing grading systems:

• The grading standards vary from country to country

• Some countries have similar grading system names, but the actual definitions are quite different

• It's difficult to compare across countries because the systems are different and each country has its own characteristics

• Grading is just a reference, not the only or most critical factor affecting flavor

Grading Criteria

Common criteria used to classify coffee bean grades include the size of the beans themselves, the shape, color or hardness of the beans, the ratio of defects, altitude, producing region, variety, processing method, the taste and quality when drunk, and so on.

One long-standing criterion adopted by most producing regions is the size of the beans themselves. That's right - the size of the particles is used as the basis for grading. Larger beans are considered better. The underlying idea is that coffee grows better at higher altitudes. With lower temperatures, fruits take more time to mature, beans become larger, have a harder texture, and display better flavor characteristics. Just like eating more food makes you fatter.

The particle size of coffee beans may indeed have some relationship with their flavor performance. But just as written in high school biology textbooks, nothing in nature is absolute. The grading system is just one of many aspects of coffee. Therefore, please don't be limited by these grading systems and forget the most important thing - wanting to drink delicious coffee.

Screening Specifications

Usually, metal screens with different hole sizes are used for screening work. The basic unit is 1/64 inch, called "mesh". The screens used to sort coffee beans range from 8-20 mesh, which is 8/64-20/64 inches (approximately 3-8 millimeters). The smaller the number, the larger the hole. Usually beans below 14 mesh have no chance of becoming specialty coffee. During the screening process, there will of course be some that slip through the net, and the allowable error depends on the standard adopted.

Let me explain several important producing countries' grading systems. Because they are so complex, please make sure to note the producing country when you see grading names to avoid mixing them up.

Kenya

E - Refers to elephant, but not to the elephant bean variety. Generally, one fruit contains two seeds that face each other, so one side is flat, called flat bean, female bean or double bean. E is when two seeds stick together during the growth process, becoming extra-large beans. They are rare and a naturally occurring mutation.

AA - The screen holes are approximately 7.20 millimeters, and this grade commands a better price.

AB - A's filter hole size is 6.80 millimeters, B's is 6.20 millimeters. These two are mixed together for sale, hence called AB. Most coffee beans in a harvest concentrate at this grade.

PB - Called Peaberry in English, mostly called small round beans, male beans, or single瓣 beans in Taiwan, opposite to ordinary flat beans. Very rare because only one seed develops completely inside the fruit, resulting in small, round beans. There is no consensus on the effect on flavor, but some people particularly like them, so PB beans are selected and sold separately.

C - Hole size between 4.8-5.6 millimeters, considered small particle beans.

TT - Usually defective beans fall to this grade.

T - At this grade, usually only fragments, defective beans, and small beans below 4.8 millimeters remain.

MH/ML - Overripe beans that fell on the ground and other very poor quality beans are not exported.

Commonly seen AA+, AA++, AA Top, AB+ are traders' own gradings, not within Kenya's official system. Different traders have different definitions, so just use them as reference.

FrontStreet Coffee also has Kenya AA beans. Kenya Asali and Karogoto are both Kenya AA. The recommended pour-over parameters are 90-92°C, powder-to-water ratio is 1:15, and brewing time is two minutes and twenty seconds. The entrance is bright cherry tomato acidity with honey-like sweetness.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473