How is Coffee Graded?
Coffee is often graded based on its quality and characteristics, and one of the widely used grading systems for coffee is the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Coffee Quality Score. This system assigns scores to coffee beans based on a range of attributes, including flavor, aroma, acidity, body, balance, and overall quality. The SCA Coffee Quality Score typically ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality coffee. Here are the general categories of coffee grades based on their scores:
- Specialty Coffee (80-100): Coffees that score 80 points or higher are considered specialty coffees. These are the highest quality beans with exceptional flavors and characteristics. Specialty coffee is typically sourced from specific regions or farms known for their exceptional coffee production.
- Premium Coffee (70-79): Coffees that score between 70 and 79 points are considered premium grade coffees. While they may not be as exceptional as specialty coffee, they are still of good quality and have distinct flavors. Many commercial coffees fall into this category.
- Below Premium (Below 70): Coffees that score below 70 points are generally considered lower quality and are often used in mass-produced coffee products like instant coffee or low-quality blends. These beans may have undesirable flavors or defects.
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