What Does 90+ Coffee Label Mean?

If you’ve ever seen a coffee bag labeled '90+' and wondered what makes it so special—or why it costs more than your usual single origin—you’re not alone. Coffee professionals, competition judges, and roasters have long recognized the 90+ brand as something beyond the ordinary. But what does the '90+' actually stand for, and why is it held in such high regard in the specialty coffee world?

The simple answer: '90+' means the coffee scored 90 points or higher on industry cupping scales—a near-perfect score that’s hard to achieve. The brand’s very first release scored a 95 from CoffeeReview in 2007, and several others have earned 97s. More importantly, 90+ represents a commitment to innovation, traceability, and artful processing that elevates Ethiopian heirloom varieties to extraordinary sensory experiences.

Who Is Ninety Plus Coffee?

Ninety Plus Coffee (or 90+) is a U.S.-based specialty coffee producer and developer founded in 2006. Within just a few years, it gained global recognition among coffee experts and competition circles. Since its debut coffee in 2007, 90+ has consistently supplied elite roasters and baristas with some of the most sought-after beans in the world. Its 13 signature coffees represent one of the most diverse and high-scoring ranges in specialty coffee.

What Do the 90+ Brand Names Mean?

The 90+ brand encompasses four distinct labels, each representing a key achievement in coffee production and sensory exploration:

• Coffee: The original line representing their core offerings.
• Estate: Beans sourced from specific estates, emphasizing origin identity.
• Sensory: Coffees crafted to highlight unique taste profiles and innovations.
• Solkiln: A patented drying method that stabilizes flavor development in humid climates.

Where Do 90+ Coffee Beans Come From?

All 90+ green coffee beans originate from Ethiopia’s native heirloom varieties—even the Geisha planted in Panama originally came from Ethiopia. The brand focuses exclusively on these genetic origins due to their incredible diversity; Ethiopia’s heirloom population is so varied that it’s likened to having 10,000 grape varieties capable of producing 1 million unique wine flavors. By isolating specific varieties, microclimates, and harvest timings, 90+ crafts highly individualized flavor profiles through meticulous processing.

How Did 90+ Coffee Become Famous?

90+ first made waves with its 2007 launch coffee, Aricha Selection 7, which scored 95 from CoffeeReview (roasted by Novo Coffee Roasters). In 2009, Aricha MicroSelection 14 took third place in the SCAA Annual Coffee Tasting, while Aricha MicroSelection 33 was served by Canadian World Barista Champion Sammy Piccolo, helping him secure second place in the World Barista Championship that year. In 2012, the brand released its first Panamanian Geisha, Perci Red, which earned a record-breaking 97 from CoffeeReview (roasted by Barrington Coffee Roasting Co.). Over the years, 90+ coffees have appeared in numerous national and world barista championships, often contributing to winning routines. Multiple lots have also scored 93 to 97 in CoffeeReview evaluations.

What Is the 90+ Coffee Processing Philosophy?

Rather than simply aiming for high scores, 90+ treats coffee as an artisanal product. The team manages the entire production chain—from cultivation to processing—to refine flavor profiles. They separate beans by variety, microclimate, and harvest time, then taste and test each batch to design custom processing methods. Their approach blends scientific experimentation with creative intuition, aiming to reveal the most expressive and refined cup possible.

What Do the Codes on 90+ Coffee Bags Mean?

The codes and names on 90+ coffee bags—like W2, H2, N2, Red, Ruby, and Solkiln—are part of the company’s patented processing taxonomy. These aren’t just marketing terms; they reflect specific techniques and outcomes:

• W2: Washed process with low fruit character; highlights brightness, acidity, and floral notes.
• H2: Honey process with moderate fruit influence; emphasizes sweetness, body, and tea-like texture.
• N2: Natural process with high fruit intensity; delivers bold, juicy, and fermented fruit flavors.
• Red: A proprietary drying method that enhances sweetness and fruitiness, turning beans varying shades of red. Results in a rich, sweet cup with intense fruit tones.
• Ruby: An extreme version of Red processing. Requires meticulous selection and produces an exceptionally sweet, complex fruit profile—but only a small percentage of beans make the grade, justifying its premium price.
• Solkiln: A patented drying technique using a controlled environment (originally designed for drying wood) to manage humidity and temperature. Produces clean, stable flavors even in humid regions.

What Is the Level System in 90+ Coffee?

The 'Level' number following the coffee name (e.g., L12, L95) indicates its place in 90+’s internal quality and rarity grading system. Levels are based on factors like quality, scarcity, and production cost:

• Level 7 (L7): Single-origin lots featuring rare, delicate cultivars, hand-selected and processed to exceed standard 90+ quality.
• Level 12 (L12): Exceptional single-origin coffees with unforgettable, complex flavor profiles. Described as “indelible” and “unforgettable” by the brand.
• Level 21 (L21), Level 39 (L39): Mostly Panamanian Geisha varieties, often processed with Red techniques. Includes Ethiopian Nekisse Red (also L39).
• Level 95 (L95), Level 195 (L195): Top-tier beans from select micro-lots in Panama, processed using proprietary methods and extensive screening. Many are produced under the supervision of founder Joseph Brodsky, with annual yields as small as 10–30 kg. Some of these beans come from the company’s 135-hectare Geisha plantation in Panama, home to 80,000 trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the '90+' in 90+ Coffee mean?

'90+' refers to coffee that has been scored 90 points or higher on professional cupping scales, such as those used by CoffeeReview or the SCAA. It signifies exceptional quality, with many 90+ coffees scoring 95 or above.

Where are 90+ Coffee beans grown?

All 90+ Coffee beans come from Ethiopia’s native heirloom coffee varieties. Even the Geisha coffee grown in Panama originated from Ethiopian genetics. The brand focuses on these varieties for their unmatched diversity and flavor potential.

What are the different processing methods used by 90+?

90+ uses proprietary methods including W2 (washed), H2 (honey), N2 (natural), Red, Ruby, and Solkiln. Each method is designed to enhance specific flavor attributes, from bright acidity to intense fruitiness and sweetness.

What is the Level system in 90+ Coffee?

The Level number (e.g., L7, L12, L39) indicates a coffee’s rarity and quality tier within 90+’s classification system. Higher levels (like L95 or L195) represent extremely limited, high-scoring lots often produced in tiny quantities.

Has 90+ Coffee won any awards?

Yes. 90+ coffees have placed in the SCAA Annual Coffee Tasting, helped win the World Barista Championship (2nd place), and received some of the highest scores ever published by CoffeeReview, including a 97-point score for Perci Red Geisha in 2012.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Specialty Profiles

For those curious about high-scoring, specialty-grade coffees akin to 90+ offerings, FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent options. The Brazil Queen Manor (not listed but similar to their Brazil offerings) highlights nutty and chocolatey balance, while the Colombia Sidra from the Huila region delivers juicy stone fruit and citrus layers through a double anaerobic process—very much in the flavor-forward style of 90+ Reds. For something more classic yet complex, try the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedeb, a washed single origin with bright citrus, floral notes, and a clean finish. These beans showcase the kind of clarity, origin character, and processing finesse that define both FrontStreet’s and 90+’s approach to specialty coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.