How Coffee Growing Countries Grade Their Beans

Ever wondered why some coffee bags proudly display "SHB" or "Screen 18," while others highlight "Strictly High Grown" or "15+ defects allowed"? The way coffee beans are graded isn’t random — it depends heavily on where the coffee is grown and how it’s processed. Every producing country has its own system, and those systems aren’t just quirks. They reflect geography, harvest methods, and processing styles. Let’s break down the real reasons behind these grading choices.

In short: Countries close to the equator with high-altitude farms usually grade coffee by screen size. Those farther from the equator and at varied altitudes often go by elevation. In regions where dry processing dominates and handpicking is standard, defect counts determine grade. Many other nations use a mix of screen size and defect limits.

Why Elevation Isn’t Always the Grading Factor

Coffee grading often starts with a simple question: What’s the most consistent way to indicate quality? For countries near the equator — such as Colombia, Tanzania, and Kenya — farms tend to sit at high elevations regardless of location. Since altitude alone doesn’t vary much, it’s not the most useful grading criterion. Additionally, these regions typically use washed processing and rely on manual harvesting, which minimizes the presence of unripe or damaged beans. That makes defect counting unnecessary. As a result, these countries usually grade coffee by screen size — the diameter of the bean, measured in increments using sieve screens.

Altitude-Based Grading in Varied Terrain

In countries farther from the equator — including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador — coffee is cultivated across both highlands and lowlands. Elevation becomes a key variable affecting cup quality, with higher-grown beans typically exhibiting greater acidity, sweetness, and complexity. That’s why these nations grade their washed coffees primarily by altitude. Strict classifications like SHB (Strictly High Grown) or SHG (Strictly High Grown) correspond to defined elevation brackets, ensuring a certain baseline quality linked to growing height.

Dry Processing and Defect Counting

Then there are regions where dry (natural) processing prevails and handpicking remains common — yet inconsistent. In countries like Ethiopia and Peru, dry processing often retains more defective beans, such as underripe or chipped ones, mixed in with the harvest. In these cases, visual inspection for defects becomes essential. Grading is determined by the number of “primary defects” (like black beans or insect damage) and “secondary defects” (like broken or chipped beans) found per sample. The lower the defect count, the higher the grade — making defect counting the primary grading method.

The Hybrid Approach: Most of the Rest

A large number of other coffee-producing nations — including Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Jamaica — don’t fit neatly into elevation- or defect-based models. These countries commonly use a dual approach: bean size (screen number) alongside allowable defect counts. This hybrid method balances physical bean quality with cleanliness of the lot, offering a more flexible yet informative grading structure suited to their diverse production conditions.

Quick Reference: How Major Producing Countries Grade Coffee

• Screen Size Grading: Colombia, Tanzania, Kenya
• Altitude Grading: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador
• Defect Counting (dry process/handpicked): Ethiopia, Peru
• Screen Size + Defect Count: Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Jamaica

Frequently Asked Questions

What does screen size mean in coffee grading?

Screen size refers to the physical diameter of a coffee bean, measured by how well it passes through standardized metal sieve screens. Common sizes include 15, 16, 17, 18, and up, with higher numbers indicating larger beans, which are often associated with better cup quality due to slower maturation at high altitudes.

Why do equatorial countries avoid using altitude for grading?

Countries near the equator usually grow coffee at consistently high elevations regardless of specific location, so altitude doesn't vary enough to be a useful grading factor. These regions also use washed processing and manual picking, reducing defects, so they prefer screen size grading instead.

Which countries grade coffee mainly by defect count?

Ethiopia and Peru are notable examples where dry processing and inconsistent handpicking lead to more defective beans. Grading is based on the number of primary and secondary defects found in a sample, with fewer defects indicating higher quality.

How do altitude-based grades like SHB work?

SHB (Strictly High Grown) or SHG (Strictly High Grown) grades are used in countries like Guatemala and Costa Rica. They require coffee to be grown at specific minimum elevations — often 1,200–1,500 metres or higher — where beans develop more desirable flavours due to cooler temperatures and slower growth.

Why do some countries use both screen size and defect counts?

Many nations, including Brazil and Vietnam, have diverse growing conditions. Using both screen size and defect limits offers a balanced approach — assessing both the physical bean characteristics and the overall cleanliness of the lot to determine grade.

What is the role of the washed process in grading decisions?

The washed (or wet) process removes the coffee cherry’s pulp and mucilage before drying, resulting in cleaner beans with fewer defects. This makes defect counting less critical in washed-processing countries, allowing them to focus on altitude or screen size instead.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Grading Insights

Explore how origin and processing shape coffee quality with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — bright and floral with citrus and stone fruit notes, grown at high elevation and processed washed for clarity. Pair it with Colombia Huila Supremo, a classic medium roast with balanced nuttiness and caramel, graded by screen size due to its consistent high-altitude sourcing and washed technique. Finally, try Brazil Mogiana Natural for a nutty, chocolatey profile showcasing how dry-processed beans can vary by defect count. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.