Coffee enthusiasts often ask in the shop exactly what the difference is between Ethiopia's G1 and G2, what Kenya AA actually means, and what Costa Rica's SHB grade signifies. These combinations of letters and numbers actually reflect how each producing country evaluates the quality of green coffee beans. Due to differences in history, trade, climate, and terrain, different origins have developed their own grading systems, with evaluation criteria covering multiple dimensions such as defect percentage, bean size, growing altitude, green bean density, and processing method. This article will systematically sort out the origins of coffee grading and introduce, one by one, the green bean grade standards of representative producing countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Brazil. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee). Many friends, while drinking coffee at Front Street, ask our baristas, "What is Yirgacheffe G1 and Yirgacheffe G2?" "What is Kenya AA, AB?" What is Guate... [more…]

As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia has the most well-developed coffee bean grading system among African producing countries, yet it also leaves many enthusiasts confused. Taking Yirgacheffe as an example, what exactly do Grade-1 and Grade-2 mean? Why can two batches of beans both labeled Yirgacheffe G2 differ so vastly in quality? This article will provide an in-depth analysis of Ethiopia's unique origin naming rules, the grade differences between washed and natural beans, the Parchment Coffee auction grading system, and how exporter blending affects the final quality. The article specifically covers real cases such as Front Street Coffee Yirgacheffe Grade-2, helping you truly decipher the grade code of Ethiopian beans. [more…]

When selecting coffee beans, letter markings like AA and G1 often appear on packaging, and they actually represent the green bean grading systems of different origins. In this article, Front Street will guide you through Ethiopia's G1 to G5 grades, which are classified by the proportion of defective beans, as well as the nine-level classification method that combines physical characteristics and cupping scores after the establishment of the ECX. In addition, we will introduce Kenya's eight grades, including AA, AB, and PB, which are distinguished by bean size, and briefly mention the grading criteria of Colombia, Jamaica, Brazil, and other countries, to help you better understand the meaning behind these markings when buying beans. [more…]

Tanzania, one of Africa's Big Three coffee producers, has performed increasingly impressively in the global specialty coffee market in recent years. When buying Tanzanian coffee beans, what exactly do the "AA" and "AB" labels commonly seen on packaging mean? These letters are in fact grade codes for Tanzanian Arabica coffee beans, using a British imperial grading method similar to Kenya's, though the specific standards differ. Tanzanian authorities grade coffee by screen size, assuming that larger size means better quality, and classify beans into multiple grades such as AAA, AA, A, B, PB, C, E, F, AF, and TT. Among these, Grade AA requires mostly 17 to 18 mesh, while Grade AB is a mix of Grades A and B, and no such official grade actually exists. This article will explain in detail the specific mesh requirements and screening standards of each grade, helping coffee lovers decipher the grading code of Tanzanian coffee beans. [more…]

When selecting coffee beans, you'll often come across labels like Yirgacheffe G2 or Kenya AA. Behind these letters and numbers lies the logic each producing country uses to assess green bean quality. Due to differences in history, trade, climate, and terrain, grading criteria vary widely from country to country—some focus on defect rates, some measure bean size, and others test altitude or hardness—and they cannot be directly compared across origins. Front Street Coffee has compiled the grading systems of representative producing countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Brazil to help you understand the ins and outs behind green bean grades. [more…]

As an agricultural product, coffee beans naturally vary in quality, and they usually undergo grading before export. In systems that grade by size, there is often a special PB grade, namely Peaberry. Its output is scarce, accounting for only 5% to 10% of the total, yet its price can often rival that of the highest grade. This article, from the perspective of Front Street, explains the definition of the PB grade and the reasons for the formation of peaberries, and through cupping compares the flavor differences between peaberries and flat beans. It also explains why producing regions sell peaberries separately, as well as the PB phenomenon in grading systems such as Blue Mountain coffee beans, helping coffee enthusiasts understand the true relationship between coffee bean size and quality. [more…]

When purchasing single-origin coffee beans, labels such as G1, AA, and SHB often appear on the packaging. What exactly do these letters and numbers represent? They are actually coffee bean grade symbols established by each origin based on its own conditions. Due to differences in growing environments and varieties, the grading criteria of different countries vary—some look at the number of defective beans, some at green bean size, and others at hardness or altitude. In this article, Front Street Coffee will sort out the grading standards of major producing regions such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Central and South America, and Brazil, helping coffee lovers understand the meaning behind these grades so they can more accurately select high-quality coffee beans that suit their own taste. [more…]

Kenyan coffee is renowned worldwide for its bright fruity aromas and juice-like acidity, and is a beloved favorite among many coffee enthusiasts. But do you know how Kenyan coffee beans are graded? This article will guide you through Kenya's eight major coffee grades—from the rare E-grade Elephant beans to the MH/ML grades sold only domestically—analyzing each tier's bean size, screening source, and quality characteristics one by one. It will also introduce Kenya's coffee-growing history, main producing regions, and harvest seasons, helping you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this African specialty coffee-producing country's grading system. Front Street Coffee also recommends noteworthy Kenyan bean varieties for you in this article. [more…]

In the coffee-producing regions' grading systems, Brazil is a special case—its highest grade is not 1 but 2. Why does this happen? By what standards exactly are Brazilian coffees graded? Front Street Coffee takes you deep into Brazil's coffee grading system, breaking down the logic behind NY2 one by one, from defect rates and bean size to cup profile. We'll also discuss the flavor characteristics of coffee from Brazil's Cerrado region, and look at Front Street Coffee's daily drinking series—the Brazil Cerrado and the Front Street Coffee Brazil Queen's Farm Yellow Bourbon—to see how these two top-grade Brazilian coffees actually perform. [more…]

The grading systems for coffee beans vary widely depending on the origin—some are based on the number of defects, others on bean size, and still others on altitude. Understanding these grade labels is an important step in selecting high-quality coffee. This article will systematically outline the green bean grading rules of major global producing regions, covering common designations such as Ethiopia's G1-G9, Kenya's AA and PB, Colombia's Supremo, and Hawaii's Extra Fancy, and explain how cupping scores further distinguish specialty grade from commercial grade. Whether you are a beginner enthusiast or a professional seeking to advance, this grading guide can help you judge coffee quality more clearly. For more professional content, follow Coffee Workshop; for specialty coffee beans, add Front Street Coffee on WeChat at qjcoffeex. [more…]

Kenyan coffee is world-renowned for its rigorous grading system and distinctive flavor characteristics. This article systematically reviews Kenya's coffee bean size grading system, including the specific standards for common grades such as AA, AB, and PB, while also introducing flavor grading methods like TOP and PLUS. Drawing on Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing practices, and using Kenyan Asaliya coffee beans as an example, the article explains in detail the flavor performance of AA-grade beans and suggested pour-over parameters, providing coffee enthusiasts with a complete reference from bean selection to tasting. [more…]

The grading of green coffee beans not only affects trading prices but also, to a certain extent, reflects flavor tendencies. For this reason, each producing country establishes its own grading rules based on local conditions. This article focuses on Colombia's green bean grading system, with emphasis on explaining the meaning of the Excelso export grade, the defect scoring method, and the specific standards based on screen size classification, while also introducing the differences among the three common export grades: UGQ, EP, and Supremo. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will share the flavor characteristics and brewing suggestions for Supremo-grade coffee beans from Colombia's Huila region, helping coffee enthusiasts extend their knowledge of grading into the actual drinking experience. [more…]

When selecting coffee beans, you often see labels like Yirgacheffe G2 and Kenya Washed AA. These letters and numbers actually represent the grade of green coffee beans. Different producing countries grade green coffee beans based on different criteria, usually assessed comprehensively from dimensions such as bean size, defect count, growing altitude, bean hardness, and cupping score. Understanding these grading rules helps more accurately judge a bean's quality positioning and flavor potential. This article will use representative producing countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia, Brazil, and Jamaica as examples to sort out their respective grading logic and naming methods, while retaining relevant product information from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Friends who frequently buy coffee beans will surely notice that most coffee bean names are followed by English suffixes such as AA and AB. This is especially true for Kenyan coffee beans—Kenya AA, Kenya AB, Kenya PB, Kenya AA+, Top, and so on. "So what do these suffixes mean? [more…]

As an agricultural product, coffee beans' quality is influenced by many factors, so a grading system is needed to standardize quality and provide a purchasing reference for green bean buyers. Grading standards vary across producing regions: some are based on altitude, others on bean size, while Ethiopia uses a combination of defect rate and cupping. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the meaning of the G1 and G2 grades for Ethiopian Sidamo coffee beans, explore the evolution of its grading system, and, through a comparison of Yirgacheffe G1 and G2—from appearance and roasting to cupping flavor—reveal the practical impact of grade differences on coffee quality. At the same time, Front Street Coffee's brewing recommendations will also provide you with useful reference. [more…]

Friends who frequently buy coffee beans have surely seen labels like Yirgacheffe G2 and Kenya AA. These letters and numbers actually represent the grade of green coffee beans. Since each coffee-producing country has established different grading systems, the evaluation criteria also vary in emphasis—factors such as bean size, proportion of defective beans, growing altitude, bean hardness, and cupping score can all serve as the basis for grading. In this article, Front Street Coffee will walk you through the green bean grading rules of representative producing countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, various Central and South American countries, Colombia, Brazil, and Jamaica, helping you understand the grade labels on packaging the next time you shop. [more…]

Colombia, as a major global producer of specialty coffee, has a strict and standardized green bean grading system. From the commonly seen Excelso marking on jute bags, to different grades such as UGQ, EP, and Supremo, to defect scoring and screen size sorting, every step affects the final quality of the coffee beans. This article will systematically outline Colombia's green coffee bean grading system, explain in detail the specific requirements and classification standards of the Excelso grade, and, combined with the brewing and flavor performance of Front Street Coffee's Huila daily drinker beans, guide you through a comprehensive understanding of the quality logic behind Colombian coffee. [more…]

Mandheling coffee is deeply favored by enthusiasts for its rich and full-bodied taste, but do you know the grading standards for Indonesian coffee beans? What exactly are the differences between PWN Golden Mandheling and regular G1 Mandheling? This article will provide a detailed introduction to the grading system for Indonesian green coffee beans, analyzing the grade standards from G1 to G6 based on defect rates, screen sizes, and other dimensions, and will delve into how PWN company creates its uniquely distinctive Golden Mandheling through strict screening processes. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will share brewing suggestions for Golden Mandheling to help you better savor this high-quality coffee with regional character. [more…]

Kenya's coffee grading system has long confused many enthusiasts—what exactly do the letters AA, AB, and PB stand for? Is AA TOP an additional grade marked outside the official classification? This article will systematically sort out Kenya's official green bean grading standards, explaining them one by one from dimensions such as bean screen size, shape, and hardness, while also clarifying non-official labels like TOP, PLUS, and FAQ that exporters add on their own. The article also uses a comparative brewing of two Front Street Kenyan AA beans to concretely present the actual differences between AA TOP and regular AA in terms of cleanliness, complexity, and sweet-acidity performance, helping readers make clearer judgments when purchasing. [more…]