Coffee culture

Is There a Standard for Coffee Bean Grading? A Simple Guide to Colombian Coffee Bean Classification Standards

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee's introduction to Colombian coffee grading system: To distinguish high-quality coffee beans from low-quality ones, we classify coffee. Coffee grading is typically based on defect rates, bean size, and other quality criteria.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange, more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Colombian Coffee Grading System

In order to distinguish between high-quality coffee beans and low-quality coffee beans, we grade coffee. Coffee grading is typically based on defect rate, bean size, altitude, green bean density, processing standards, and other factors, thus often involving a comprehensive description based on multiple standards.

In fact, each country varies significantly due to historical reasons, trade interests, climate, terrain, and various other factors. We cannot use unified standards, the same defect calculation methods, or simply rely on altitude to determine superiority. Nor can we compare one grade from one country with another grade from another country, as these are incorrect and objective direct comparisons.

Grading by Bean Size

Grades and standards: Supremo 95% above 17 mesh, Supremo screen 18+ 95% above 18 mesh, Excelso Extra 95% above 16 mesh, Excelso EP 14-16 mesh, U.G.Q. above 14 mesh

Meaning and Rules of Colombian Green Bean Names:

Colombia Huila Supremo SC17/18 FNC

Country + Region + Grade Name + Other

FNC: Federacion Nacional de Cafeteos de Colombia

Colombian Producers Association

Knowledge Point:

Colombian Augustine production is located in the southern part of the Huila region. Most varieties are primarily Arabica Typica, utilizing shade cultivation methods. Generally hand-picked, with most processing methods being natural drying. Espresso machines and moka pots are the best choices for brewing Colombian coffee.

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee events each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past 6 years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

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