What Does 90+ Mean for Coffee Beans?

When coffee professionals talk about '90+' beans, they could mean one of two very different things — and it’s easy to get confused. Are they talking about a famous American coffee company? Or a top-tier score given to green coffee by expert tasters? If you’ve ever wondered what makes a coffee bean '90+', you’re not alone. This term shows up often in specialty coffee circles, especially when sourcing or reviewing high-quality beans.

In short: '90+' most commonly means a green coffee bean that received a cupping score of 90 or higher from the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America), indicating it’s an exceptional, specialty-grade coffee. It can also refer to the U.S.-based coffee roaster '90+ Coffee' — but that’s a different story. Let’s break down what really defines a 90+ coffee bean.

What Is a 90+ Coffee Bean?

A 90+ coffee bean is one that has been cupped and scored 90 points or higher using the standardized SCAA cupping protocol. These coffees are considered top-tier specialty beans, typically sourced from specific farms or microlots known for exceptional quality. The scoring is carried out by certified Q Graders — professionals trained through the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) — to maintain global scoring consistency.

Why Do Coffee Beans Get Scored?

Coffee buyers, including roasters and importers, rely on cupping scores to assess the quality and market value of green coffee. Before purchasing beans directly from farms or cooperatives, especially in origin countries, buyers conduct professional cuppings. These evaluations help determine pricing, establish relationships with producers, and ensure the coffee meets specialty standards. A higher score can command a premium price, supporting farmers with better income and encouraging continued investment in quality cultivation practices.

How Are Coffee Beans Officially Cupped and Scored?

The standardised cupping process requires all samples to be roasted to a similar light-to-medium level, then brewed using a simple, controlled method — typically a fixed coffee-to-water ratio, a standard grind size, and identical brewing temperature and time. Tasters evaluate the coffee across multiple categories: fragrance/aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, uniformity, cleanliness, sweetness, and overall impression. Each category is scored, and the total determines the coffee’s final cupping score.

Two major systems provide recognised scoring and public results: the SCAA (and its partner CQI), and the COE (Cup of Excellence) competition. Both utilise trained Q Graders and follow internationally accepted protocols. A score of 80–84 is considered specialty grade; 85–89 is very good to excellent; and 90 and above is exceptional — the 90+ range.

Which Coffees Are Considered 90+ at Our Roastery?

At our roastery, we stock several single-origin coffees that have been professionally scored as 90+ beans. These include:

• Panama Geisha ES-09 (2013 Bidding Champion) from the famed Esmeralda Estate — renowned for its complex floral and citrus profile.
• Ethiopia Chencha (Natural Process) — a vibrant, fruity Yirgacheffe-region coffee with berry and stone fruit notes.
• Ethiopia Yirgacheffe G1 (Washed) — clean, bright, and floral with classic Yirgacheffe aromatics.
• Ethiopia Yirgacheffe G1 (Natural) — a juicy, wine-like Ethiopian classic with tropical and berry highlights.
• Panama Blend (Hartmann) — a carefully composed multi-farm lot showcasing Panamanian terroir diversity.

These beans are selected not just for their high scores, but for their distinct cup profiles and traceable origins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does '90+' mean when people talk about coffee?

'90+' usually refers to green coffee beans that have been cupped and scored 90 or above by certified Q Graders using SCAA standards, meaning they are top-tier specialty coffee. It can also refer to the U.S. coffee company '90+ Coffee', but in trade and sourcing contexts, it almost always means the cupping score.

Who decides if a coffee is 90+?

A certified Q Grader — trained and certified by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) — evaluates the coffee using the SCAA cupping protocol. These professionals assess the coffee’s aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and other attributes on a 100-point scale.

How is coffee officially scored?

Coffee is scored by brewing it to a standardised recipe, then evaluating it in categories like aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, sweetness, and overall impression. The total of these scores determines the final cupping score, with 90+ being elite.

What’s the difference between 90+ Coffee (the company) and 90+ score?

'90+ Coffee' is a brand based in the United States that specialises in single-origin, limited-edition coffees. By contrast, '90+' as a score refers to any coffee that scores 90 or above in official cupping evaluations by Q Graders, usually through SCAA or COE systems.

Are 90+ coffees more expensive?

Yes, generally. Due to their rarity, complexity, and quality, 90+ coffees often command higher prices at origin and retail. The premium helps support farmers and encourages continued focus on quality production.

Where can I find 90+ scored coffees?

Many specialty roasters, including ours, offer 90+ coffees sourced from farms or microlots that have achieved those scores. Look for transparency in sourcing and scoring certifications, or ask your roaster for details on cupping scores.

Recommended 90+ Scored FrontStreet Coffee Beans

FrontStreet Coffee offers several single-origin beans that match the 90+ quality standard, sourced from top Ethiopian and Panamanian regions. Try our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe G1 (Washed) for a classic bright profile with floral and citrus notes, or the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe G1 (Natural) for a juicy, fruity cup with berry and wine-like qualities. For something truly iconic, our Panama Geisha ES-09 (2013 Bidding Champion) from the Esmeralda Estate delivers intense florals, jasmine, and stone fruit — a legendary 90+ lot. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.