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Classification of coffee from Ethiopia. What do you need to know?

Are you looking for Ethiopian coffees and wondering what the labels Grade 1 or Grade 2 mean? We explain everything you need to know about the grades and qualities of Ethiopian coffees.

Coffee grades range from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Grades are issued based on two elements: the number of defects in the green coffee and the cupping note, or score.

Overview of Ethiopian Coffee Grades

In the grading system, the analysis of green coffee accounts for 40% of the evaluation. This is called the "raw value" of the coffee, calculated from 340 grams of coffee. The analysis of green coffee involves counting the number of primary and secondary defects and assessing the appearance and color of the coffee beans.

The remaining 60% of the evaluation comes from what is known as "cup quality," or the sensory profile of the coffee. For natural and washed coffees, the following are assessed:

Cup cleanliness

Acidity

Body

Flavor

How does it work in the Ethiopian specialty coffee segment?

Ethiopian specialty coffee is at least Grade 3.

Grade 1 or 2 coffee, scoring above 85 according to the Q Cupping protocol. Grade 1, 2, or 3 coffee, scoring between 80 and 85.

Grade 1 (Washed and Natural): < 5 defects, can be a specialty coffee.

Grade 2 (Washed and Natural): 5 - 12 defects, can be a specialty coffee.

Grade 3 (Only Natural): 13 - 25 defects, can be a specialty coffee.

Grade 4: 26 - 46 defects

Grade 5: 47 – 86 defects

Microlots:

Microlots are coffees with fewer than 5 defects, scoring above 87 points.

Microlots: < 5 defects, score above 87 points

Grade 1: < 8 defects, score above 86 points

Grade 2: < 12 defects, score above 84 points

Grade 3 (Only Natural): < 20 defects, score above 83 points

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Tags : speciality coffee, Ethiopia

Posted in: Specialty coffee

Author: Piotr Deptuła

If my stories and travels with a cup of coffee in hand help you rediscover the coffee world, please consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee. Your support is like the wind in my sails that propels me to further explorations, allows me to share my passion with you and explore the fascinating world of coffee together.

Thank you for every espresso, latte or americano coffee that is as black as the endless night. Thanks to you, I am able to continue this extraordinary journey full of flavors and aromas. Together we are creating this coffee story. Thank you!

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