A brief introduction to the classification of Guatemalan coffee beans according to the characteristics of Guatemalan beans

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Coffee grading

Like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and other Central American countries, Guatemala's classification is based on altitude. Coffee produced at high altitudes is generally of higher quality than at lower altitudes, because the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. At high elevations, the slower the coffee grows, the more beneficial it will be to the accumulation of good substances. That's why there is a way to classify quality by altitude.

The higher the altitude, the higher the density of coffee beans and the higher the grade of raw coffee beans:

SHB (extremely hard beans): planted at 1500-1700 meters above sea level; HB (hard beans): planted at 1350-1500 meters above sea level; SH (slightly hard beans): planted at 1200-1350 meters above sea level; Extra Prime (super quality washed beans): planted at 1000-1200 meters above sea level; Prime (high quality washed beans): planted at 850-1000 meters above sea level; Good Washed (good quality washed beans): planted at 700rel 850 meters above sea level.

| | handling method |

The treatment in Guatemala is mainly water washing and a small amount of sun exposure.

First, after harvesting ripe coffee fruit, first pick out impurities and inferior beans and screen floating beans, so far they are all the same as the sun method.

Guatemala mountain highest altitude: 2000m, generally the highest planting area is 1700m above sea level, the lowest planting area is about 700m, of course, it does not rule out the planting area below 600m.

According to the level of altitude

SHB (Strictly Hard Bean) extremely hard beans 1600-1700m

FHB (Fancy Hard Bean) excellent hard bean 1500-1600m

HB (Hard Bean) hard beans 1200-1400m

SH (Semi Hard Bean) slightly hard beans 1100-1200m

EP (Extra Prime) extra high quality water washed beans 900-1100m

PW (Prime Washed) high quality water washed beans 600-9001m

EGW (Extra Good Washed) special quality water washed beans 700-850m

GW (Good Washed) good quality water washed bean 700m

SHB is the world's highest quality raw coffee bean: rich in layers, full-bodied, acidity and aroma.

Classify by defect

According to the classification of defects, most of them supply high-quality coffee raw beans to certain markets. In general, there are three sets of standards in Guatemala:

European Standard (EP: Euro Prepation) American Standard (USP: US preparation) Best Standard (GP:Gourmet Preparation)

The specific data are as follows:

European standard

(EP: Euro Prepation)

100% greater than 15 mesh (5% is allowed to be above 14 mesh).

Coffee beans are uniform and green in color.

The water content of raw coffee beans is 9-12%.

Coffee raw beans have up to 8 defective beans per 300g.

Coffee cup test: clean and flawless.

American standard

(USP: US preparation)

100% greater than 13 mesh.

The color of coffee and raw beans is uniform.

The water content of raw coffee beans is 9-12%.

Coffee raw beans have a maximum of 23 defective beans per 300g. (only suitable for washing Arabica species)

Coffee cup test: clean and flawless.

The best standard

(GP:Gourmet Preparation)

100% greater than 16 mesh (15% or more allowed).

Coffee beans are uniform and green in color.

The water content of raw coffee beans is 11-12%.

Coffee raw beans have up to 5 defective beans per 300g and no immature beans.

Coffee cup test: clean and flawless, with acidity and alcohol thickness.

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