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How are Colombia coffee beans graded? Introduction to Huilan Property Washed Kadura

Published: 2026-07-16 Author:

Last Updated: 2026/07/16, In Central America, the coffee grading systems of most coffee-producing countries are relatively simple and clear, mainly based on altitude grading. However, in South America, coffee grading is relatively complex. Among them, Colombia's grading system is mainly based on defect rate and mesh size. These are two factors to ensure the quality of exported coffee. Ex

In Central America, the coffee grading system of most coffee producing countries is relatively simple and clear, mainly based on altitude classification, but in South America, coffee classification is relatively complex, among which, Colombia's grading system is mainly based on two factors: defect rate and mesh size, which is to ensure the quality of exported coffee.

Excelso is the export standard grade adopted by the Colombian National Federation of Coffee growers (FNC) and is the best grade for Colombian raw beans. In Colombia, raw coffee beans that reach the export grade are marked "Excelso-Caf é de Colombia" on the sack and are certified by Quality Certificate (certificate of quality) produced by FNC.

According to the requirements, the size of coffee beans needs to be more than 14 mesh, generally speaking, 50% of raw coffee beans must be larger than 15 mesh, and no more than 5% of raw coffee beans must be between 12 mesh and 14 mesh, and should be pest-free, uniform color, no smell and clean flavor. Moisture content can not exceed 12.5%.

In addition, 500 grams of raw coffee bean samples are needed to classify the defects, which can be divided into primary defects and secondary defects. These 500 grams of raw bean samples will evaluate the defect score by scoring, but can not exceed the defect limit of 24 points.

In addition, Colombia believes that coffee beans are full, neat and large, indicating that coffee beans have reached a fully mature state and can develop better aroma types, which are conducive to uniform baking and form a consistent flavor. Therefore, it will also be classified according to the number of coffee items.

Currently, the three most commonly used grades in Colombia are Excelso UGQ12*60 (1.5 per cent), Excelso EP12*60 (10 per cent) and Excelso Supremo12*60 (5 per cent).

Specifically, the full name of UGQ in Excelso UGQ12*60 (1.5%) is Usual Good Quality (usually high quality). The size of raw beans is more than 14 mesh, 1.5% of raw beans can be allowed between 12 mesh and 14 mesh, but it must be more than 12 mesh, and more than 50% of them are more than 15 mesh.

European Preparation (European customization) in Excelso EP12*60. The size of raw beans is more than 15 mesh, and 10% of raw beans are allowed to be less than 15 mesh, but must be more than 12 mesh.

Excelso Supremo12*60 (5%) has the largest number of items. The size of raw beans is more than 17 mesh, and 5% of raw beans are allowed to be less than 17 mesh, but must be more than 14 mesh.

In addition, in the case of Supremo 1260, which is the most frequently exported in Colombia, the later 1260 also refers to the "tolerance rate", indicating that a maximum of 12 first-level defective beans and 60 second-level defective beans are allowed in 500g sample beans.

In addition, coffee farmers in Colombia will enter numbers and raw bean information to facilitate the tracing of raw beans in the future, usually based on country, producing area, classification and number of items as the name of raw coffee beans. For example, the current Qianjie entry selection of Huilan coffee beans is "Colombia Huila Supremo SC17/18 FNC".

Through the cup test, it is found that this coffee bean has a Colombian traditional nutty, chocolate-like aroma, with soft acidity and sweetness, and is clean and balanced as a whole, so it will choose medium baking. After cooking, the mouth will have soft acidity, nutty, chocolate flavor, caramel-like sweetness, soft and balanced as a whole.

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