Sorting coffee is very important to determine the grade of the beans. Each coffee harvest would yield good beans and bad beans. The amount of bad beans in the lot would determine the grade of the coffee, and would definitely affect the taste of the cup. There are different grades of coffee depending on the amount of defective beans is in each 300g lot. VerraCoffee products are mostly premium grade but we also have specialty grade beans available.
GRADE 1: SPECIALITY GRADE
This is the highest grade of beans, so the beans will have zero primary defects for each 300g of coffee beans.
GRADE 2: PREMIUM GRADE
This is the second highest grade, and the one that you will be drinking if you purchase premium coffee. These beans are almost the same as Grade 1 coffee beans, but are allowed a maximum of 3 quakers or 0-8 full defects per 300g of coffee.
GRADE 3: EXCHANGE GRADE
Also called commercial grade coffee beans, these are what you will find in most supermarket brands, and will have an acceptable taste for most people. It will have between 9-23 full defects in every 300g lot.
GRADE 4: STANDARD GRADE
These will have 24 to 86 full defects per 300g. This is low quality coffee.
GRADE 5: OFF GRADE
More than 87 full defects per 300g. You will not want these beans. 🙂