What is the Difference Between Kenya AA and Kenya AB: Introduction to Kenya AA Grade Classification

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Kenya Coffee Grade Classification

Kenya's coffee beans follow a strict grading system. Beans arriving at the washing station are classified by size, shape, and hardness into AA, AB, C, E, PB, TT, T, ML, and MH grades. These grades mainly distinguish the shape and size of the beans, not necessarily their quality. Many people believe larger beans contain more of the aromatic oils that produce coffee fragrance, and because of that, larger beans command higher prices on the market.

Kenyan coffee is typically classified as follows:

1) Common Classification:

Hand-picked coffee cherries, after manual sorting to remove defects such as unripe and overripe fruit, are pulped, fermented for about 36 hours, and sun-dried on metal racks. Once the mill removes the parchment, they become attractive Kenyan green beans with a blue-green appearance.

These beautiful green beans are graded by size, shape, and weight:

E: Kenya E, elephant bean, 18 mesh and above (including peaberries), containing large peaberries similar to PB, relatively rare in quantity.

AA: Kenya AA, 17-18 mesh.

AB: Kenya AB, 15-16 mesh, a mixture of Grade A and Grade B.

17 mesh (6.8mm) and above is Grade A; 16 mesh (6.3mm) and above is Grade B.

TT: Light beans screened out of AA and AB by air classifiers.

PB: Kenya PB, 15 mesh and above, peaberry, accounting for about 10% of Kenyan coffee.

C: 12-14 mesh, plus light beans from PB screened through air classifiers.

T: Below 12 mesh, containing more defective beans, broken beans, and light beans.

HE: Beans outside the above grades become HE (Hulled Ears).

2) Ungraded:

Green beans that have not undergone official standard grading are UG (ungraded).

E, AA, AB, PB → UG1

C, TT, T, HE → UG2

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Kenyan coffee is prized for its bright, juicy fruit acidity, and if that's the style you chase, FrontStreet Coffee's natural-processed lineup delivers a similar thrill. The FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Sun-Dried Red Cherry is made only from fully ripe red cherries, dried on raised beds, and roasted medium-light. It keeps an elegant floral character and bright acidity while adding pronounced tropical fruit, a full fermented sweetness, and notes of peach, cocoa, honey, and lemon—juicy and clean in the cup.

For even more tropical fruit intensity, the FrontStreet Huakui comes from Hambella in Guji Sidamo. Natural processing lifts the sweetness and complexity, giving light fermented wine, floral, citrus, and mango aromas over a honeyed, cocoa-accented body with a touch of spice and a long finish. Both make an excellent pour-over and will feel right at home next to a good Kenyan AA or AB.