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How Many Grades of Kenyan Coffee Beans Are There - Kenya AA Grade Classification and Bean Size

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, For professional coffee knowledge and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Kenyan Coffee Grading. Coffee beans from the Kenyan growing region are classified by bean size, typically categorized from largest to smallest as AA, AB, C, T, TT, MH, ML, and other grades.

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AA is the highest quality coffee grade from FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya selection. This grade represents the finest among specialty coffees, which is why FrontStreet Coffee holds such deep appreciation for this Frontsteet Kenya AA TOP from the Thika region. The TOP designation is marked by Kenyan coffee merchants after cupping. This Frontsteet Kenya bean uses the K72 double-washed fermentation processing method, resulting in exceptionally bright and lively acidity, as delicate and enticing as berries and red wine. When brewing, the rich berry aroma instantly emerges, with distinct cherry tomato and preserved plum flavors upon entry. The acidity and aroma coexist in the mouth for a long time, followed by a creamy sweetness in the aftertaste with persistent pleasant aftertaste.

Kenya Coffee Grading System

Kenya's coffee grading system was established under government-led policies for quality management and guidance of coffee farmers. After harvesting, coffee is handled by the official government-established "Coffee Board of Kenya" (CBK), founded in 1933. Weekly regular auctions are held at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange in the capital Nairobi. Under this government-coordinated auction system, grading is based on "bean size," weight, and shape appearance, which serves as the primary basis for auction pricing.

Considering that coffee beans of similar size roast more consistently in terms of heating temperature and warming rate during the roasting process, meaning more stability, Kenya grades green coffee beans based on bean size and cupping scores. According to the size, shape, and hardness of green coffee beans, Kenyan coffee beans can be roughly divided into eight grades: E, PB, AA, AB, C, TT, T, MH/ML.

Kenya Coffee Grade Classifications

E: Kenyan E is known as elephant beans, large in size and relatively low in yield.

PB: The English name for PB is Peaberry, which everyone knows as round beans, elliptical in shape. Normal coffee fruits contain two coffee seeds, while peaberries have only one seed.

AA: Kenyan AA can be said to be the most common grade, generally grown at altitudes above 6600 feet, with larger sizes and bean sizes of 17/18 mesh.

AB: Bean size is 16/17 mesh. Kenyan AB coffee beans are composed of A and B coffee beans. Grade A is screened using 6.8mm sieves, while Grade B uses 6.2mm sieves. These two types of beans, A and B, are mixed together to form Kenyan AB grade.

C: Bean size is below 14 mesh.

TT: Kenyan TT refers to light-density coffee beans separated from Kenyan AA, AB, and E coffee beans through air extraction. Large mesh size but low density, but with sufficient quality to be included in specialty coffee.

T: Below 14 mesh, small beans with density and quality insufficient to be classified as specialty coffee.

MH/ML: Low-quality natural processed beans, mostly overripe beans dried on trees.

FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya Selection

The Frontsteet Kenya cherry tomato coffee beans launched by FrontStreet Coffee's own roastery belong to the AA grade, from the Thika region, using the Kenyan 72-hour washed method, with varieties SL28 and SL34, making it a top choice for many acidity-loving coffee enthusiasts. If tasting this Frontsteet Kenya Asalia coffee bean for the first time, FrontStreet Coffee suggests trying hot hand-brewed black coffee to better experience the flavor characteristics of FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya coffee.

For AA and AB grade green coffee beans, special grading based on cupping results has been added (not officially recognized by the Kenyan government, established by exporters), ranked from high to low as TOP, PLUS (+), FAQ. The flavor level of FrontStreet Coffee's Kenya Asalia on the bean list reaches the TOP grade. However, as mentioned earlier, this is not an officially recognized grading system. FrontStreet Coffee has sourced coffee beans from several Kenyan regions, and not every one carries a flavor grade, so there's no need to be overly concerned about this aspect. Generally, once you reach the AA and AB grades, the flavor is already implicitly considered to be of high quality.