Did you know… Issue 12

While they differ greatly from country to country, “grading” designations may also appear on coffee labels. Coffees are graded by size, density and sometimes by the altitude at which they are grown. Most importantly, they are graded by the number of defects permitted per pound.

Large sized coffee beans may look impressive and roast more evenly but they do not necessarily offer a better flavour, although the Columbian grade theirs differently.

Coffee that is grown at higher elevations has the potential for greater flavour.

Defects include sticks, stones, insects and under- or overripe beans. The best coffees have virtually no defects.