Green coffee bean grades are typically determined by factors such as bean condition, cleanliness of flavor, acidity, body, and overall flavor quality. For ease of understanding in the market, defect rates are often used as a rough guideline for grading. However, defect rate alone is not a definitive measure of green bean quality. Beans with fewer defects generally belong to higher grades and are better at preserving their natural flavors, free from unwanted off-notes. (Imagine making apple juice: using all fresh apples versus half being bruised or rotten will yield vastly different results.)

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Africa and India Grading System

G1 > G2 > G3 > G4 > G5
Defect Rate Classification:

• G1 (Specialty): ~0-5 defects per 300g
• G2 (Premium): ~5-12 defects per 300g
• G3 (Exchange): ~13-25 defects per 300g
• G4 (Standard): ~26-46 defects per 300g
• G5 (Off): ~47-86 defects per 300g

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Brazil Grading System

Brazil employs two grading systems:

1. NY Grading (New York Coffee Exchange Standards):
   NY 2/3 > NY 4/5 > NY 6/7 > Rio Minas
   Defect Rate Classification:
   • G2: ~4-6 defects per 300g
   • G3: ~7-12 defects per 300g
   • NY 2/3 represents Brazil's highest grade.
2. SC Grading: Based on bean size (sieve size).
   • 17/18: Highest grade
     AIM uses NY2 SC 17/18 coffee beans.

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Kenya Grading System

Grading is based on bean size, density, and shape.
AA > AB > PB > E > C > TT > T > MH/ML
Larger Kenyan beans generally contain more oils and deliver better flavors. AA beans are rare, while E and C are commonly found in the market.

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Central America Grading System

Superior > Segundas > Terceras > Caracol > Caracolli > Caracolillo

• Superior: Size 17+
• Segundas: Size 14-16
• Terceras: Size 13-14
• Caracol: Size 11-13
• Caracolli: Size 10-11
• Caracolillo: Size 9 or smaller

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Indonesia Grading System

G1 > G2 > G3 > G4a > G4b > G5 > G6
Defect Rate Classification:

• G1: Defects <11
• G2: 12-25 defects
• G3: 26-44 defects
• G4a: 45-60 defects
• G4b: 61-80 defects
• G5: 81-150 defects
• G6: 151-225 defects

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Colombia Grading System

• Supremo: Sieve size 17/18
• Excelso: Sieve size 15/16
• UGQ: Variable sizes but good quality

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Panama Grading System

For African-origin varietals, grading may follow African standards. Some estates, like the famous Hacienda La Esmeralda (known for Geisha coffee), have their own grading systems:
Red Label > Green Label > Blue Label.
"Gold Label" often indicates the highest grade.

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