How to Cup Specialty Coffee Beans Scoring 90+ Points

If you’ve ever wondered how some specialty coffee beans earn cupping scores over 90—and why that’s such a big deal—you’re not alone. Most coffee scores in the mid-80s; hitting 90 means perfection across multiple sensory dimensions. But how is that even possible? And what does a 90+ score really tell you about the coffee?

The short answer: a cupping score of 90+ is extremely rare. Coffees are graded against over ten strict criteria with deductions for flaws. To finish above 90 after all those penalties means the coffee is nearly flawless—comparable to acing ten high-stakes tests with a cumulative perfect score.

Who Is NinetyPlus and Why Do They Matter?

NinetyPlus is a young but revolutionary coffee company that only sells green coffee beans scoring 90 or higher in professional cupping evaluations. Founded in 2006, the company built its own sensory lab, the NinetyPlus Sensory Room, to rigorously evaluate every lot. Their approach to coffee processing and quality control quickly earned them global recognition.

Awards, Achievements, and Industry Impact

Over the years, NinetyPlus coffees have achieved remarkable milestones:

• In 2008, Aricha Micro Selection 7 won the Nordic Roasting Competition.
• In 2009, Aricha Micro Selection 14 was named third-place Coffee of the Year by the SCAA.
• Also in 2009, Sammy Piccolo used Aricha Micro Selection 33 to place second in the World Barista Championship (WBC).
• Aricha was voted Top Coffee of the Year in 2008 and 2009 by Coffee Geek.
• NinetyPlus produced the first coffee ever to score 97 on Coffee Review.
• In 2010, Nekisse scored 96—the highest-rated coffee that year on Coffee Review.
• Multiple NinetyPlus coffees have won Good Food Awards and placed in international barista competitions.

How NinetyPlus Grades Its Coffee

NinetyPlus categorizes its beans into several levels based on quality, rarity, production cost, and processing:

• Level 4: Blended lots from multiple areas, used when single-origin lots don’t meet stricter criteria. Flavor is enhanced through blending.
• Level 7: Single-origin beans, hand-selected for unique characteristics and processed using NinetyPlus methods to ensure a cupping score over 90.
• Level 12: Exceptional single-origin beans with unforgettable flavor profiles. Described as “indelible” and “unforgettable.”
• Higher levels (e.g., L21, L39, L95) include rare Geisha varieties from their own Panamanian estate, with even more selective processing.

NinetyPlus Coffee Processing Methods

NinetyPlus treats coffee as a fruit and classifies its processing methods based on how much they preserve or enhance fruity qualities:

• W2: Washed process (like traditional water processing).
• H2: Honey process (similar to pulped natural).
• N2: Natural process (sun-dried, like traditional dry processing).

These methods are chosen based on how they influence the final cup profile, especially the fruitiness and complexity.

Notable NinetyPlus Coffees and Their Profiles

Here are some key coffees NinetyPlus has released, along with their processing level and origin:

• Ethiopia:
  • Nekisse N2 – Level 12
  • Hachira N2 – Level 12
  • Tuktant N2 – Level 7
  • Tchembe N2 – Level 7
  • Kemgin W2 – Level 7
• Panama (Ninety Plus Gesha Estates):
  • Lycello W2 – Level 21
  • Juliette H2 – Level 39
  • Perci N2 – Level 39
  • Lotus SK – Level 95

  

These coffees have been served in major competitions, sold out in hours, and earned media coverage in outlets like The New York Times, TIME, and CBS.

How You Can Experience NinetyPlus Coffee

Although once hard to source, NinetyPlus beans have gradually become available to international roasters and competition teams. In 2011, limited lots such as Tuktant L7 and Tchembe L7 reached China, and by 2012, top-level lots like Nekisse N2 and Hachira N2 were being cupped and ordered by specialty roasters. These beans exhibit intense floral, fruity, and wine-like characteristics that remain memorable years later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 90+ cupping score mean?

A 90+ cupping score means the green coffee bean has been evaluated and scored at 90 or above by professional cuppers, using the SCA’s 100-point scale. Scores this high indicate exceptional cup quality with almost no defects, often described as outstanding or superb.

How does NinetyPlus achieve such high scores?

NinetyPlus achieves high scores through rigorous quality control, unique fruit-forward processing methods (W2, H2, N2), and careful selection of single-origin or specially blended beans. They also eliminate flaws using a deduction-based scoring system that makes 90+ exceptionally difficult to attain.

What is the difference between NinetyPlus Levels 4, 7, and 12?

Level 4 consists of blended beans meeting basic quality thresholds. Level 7 includes handpicked single-origin beans with unique flavors, processed to reach 90+ scores. Level 12 features rare, elite beans with unforgettable taste profiles, often described as life-changing.

What processing methods does NinetyPlus use?

NinetyPlus uses three main processes: W2 (washed), H2 (honey), and N2 (natural). These are chosen based on how they affect the fruitiness and overall cup profile, with N2 being the most fruit-forward and W2 the cleanest.

Where are NinetyPlus beans grown?

NinetyPlus sources beans from top regions like Ethiopia and Panama. Their own estate in Panama grows rare Geisha varieties, some of which are scored at elite levels like L95.

Are NinetyPlus beans available to buy?

NinetyPlus beans are available through select specialty roasters around the world. Some lots, especially high-level ones like Nekisse N2 or Lotus SK, have been extremely limited and highly sought after.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for High-Scoring Coffee Experiences

Explore FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe for vibrant floral and citrus notes reminiscent of NinetyPlus’s Ethiopian lots. For something fruitier, try their Panama Geisha, known for its complex stone fruit and jasmine profile. Both beans showcase the kind of clarity and balance seen in 90+ cupped coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.