How Colombia Grades Its Coffee Beans by Size

When you’re shopping for Colombian coffee, you might assume that a label like 'Supremo' means you’re getting the best-tasting beans. But in Colombia, that’s not necessarily the case. The country’s coffee grading system is surprisingly straightforward—and it doesn’t factor in flavor, processing method, or altitude. Instead, it’s based almost entirely on bean size.

Colombian coffee is graded primarily by the diameter of the beans, measured in 'mesh' or '' (mǔ), where 18 mesh and above is classified as Supremo, and anything below that is Excelso. That’s the whole system.

What Does 'Supremo' and 'Excelso' Actually Mean?

In Colombia, 'Supremo' refers to coffee beans that are 18 mesh or larger, while 'Excelso' beans are smaller than 18 mesh. Mesh here refers to the number of openings per inch on a sieve. The higher the mesh number, the smaller the holes—and the larger the beans that can pass through. So a higher mesh number means a bigger bean can still qualify, but in this case, 18 mesh is the benchmark for the top grade.

How Big Is an 18-Mesh Coffee Bean?

An 18-mesh coffee bean equates to roughly 7 millimeters in diameter. To break it down: 1 mesh equals 1/64 of an inch, and since 1 inch is 25.4 millimeters, 18 mesh works out to about 7 mm. That’s the minimum size for a bean to be considered Supremo grade under Colombian standards. Anything under that falls into the Excelso category.

Why Size Matters—But Not for Flavor

The Colombian grading system focuses exclusively on bean size because larger beans are often (but not always) associated with higher quality in traditional trade. Bigger beans can indicate a more mature cherry and potentially better uniformity in roasting. However, size alone doesn’t guarantee cup quality. Flavor is influenced by factors like altitude, processing, variety, and farm practices—all of which are not reflected in the Supremo or Excelso designation.

What About Specialty Coffee from Colombia?

If you’re buying specialty-grade Colombian coffee, especially from well-known regions like Huila, you’ll typically find detailed information on the bag: the farm name, harvest date, processing method, and altitude. These details matter far more for predicting taste than the Supremo or Excelso label. In contrast, commercial-grade beans from Colombia’s MAM region often carry no specific origin details and may just be labeled as Supremo or Excelso based on size alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'Supremo' mean the coffee tastes better?

No, 'Supremo' refers only to bean size—18 mesh or larger, around 7 mm in diameter—not flavor. A Supremo bean could come from any region or farm and may or may not taste good. Taste depends on factors like altitude, processing, and variety, none of which are indicated by the Supremo grade.

What is the size difference between Supremo and Excelso?

Supremo beans are 18 mesh or larger, about 7 mm in diameter. Excelso beans are smaller than 18 mesh. That’s the only official difference according to Colombia’s grading system; neither grade guarantees a certain flavor profile or quality beyond size.

Is 18 mesh the only grade in Colombia?

No, 18 mesh is the threshold: beans at 18 mesh and above are Supremo, and those below are Excelso. There are no additional official size-based grades in the Colombian system. Other factors like origin or processing are not included in this classification.

Why don’t Supremo beans always taste great?

Because size alone doesn’t determine flavor. Supremo only describes the physical diameter of the bean. The taste depends on the coffee’s origin, altitude, variety, processing method, and roast level—all of which are unrelated to the mesh size used for grading.

Where can I find Colombian coffee with real taste details?

Look for Colombian coffees that list the farm name, region (like Huila), altitude, and processing method. These details are common on bags of specialty coffee and give you a much better idea of what to expect in the cup than the Supremo or Excelso label.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans from Colombia’s Huila Region

For a true taste of Colombia’s specialty coffee potential, try FrontStreet Coffee’s selection from Huila. Their FrontStreet Colombian Single Origin features notes of chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel, with a balanced acidity and sweetness, thanks to its washed Caturra processed at high altitudes. Another option is the FrontStreet Sidra, a fruit-forward coffee with intense floral and juicy profiles, ideal for filter brewing. Both highlight the terroir and processing behind the cup—far more informative than any Supremo label. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.