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What are defective coffee beans? Classification and definition of coffee defective beans.

Published: 2026-02-19 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/02/19, Defective coffee fingers can lead to defective coffee beans with poor flavor. Some defective beans can be easily detected in the state of raw beans, while others can only be detected in the final testing stage. Minor defects are easier to identify with the naked eye than those bitten by insects, while more serious phenolic defects are more difficult to judge with the naked eye.

Defective coffee beans refer to problematic coffee beans that result in poor flavor. Some defective beans can be light when green

They are easy to detect, and some are only detected at the final stage of testing. Slightly defective beans, such as insect bites, are easier to identify with the naked eye; more difficult to identify with the naked eye are the more severe phenolic defective beans, which have a sharper metallic smell and a paint-remover-like taste, sometimes mixed with a not-so-pleasant sulfur smell, the cause of which is not yet fully determined. Improper refinement can also produce defective beans with an overfermented, unpleasant earthy, and intoxicating smell, often reminiscent of barnside earthy or rotting fruit.

Too many defective beans in a coffee bean can lead to a very messy taste and bad flavor. So there are green coffee grades, for example, Ethiopian coffee beans are graded by classifying defective beans. In fine coffee, defective beans are very taboo. That's why we're buying good grade coffee beans.