Glossary

AA

A grade indication used in a number of countries. It usually denotes the largest and most expensive (though not necessarily the best tasting) screen size.

AB

Next screen size down from AA grade, 15-16 screen.

A/X

A coffee grade for New Guinea coffees, indicating mixed screen size, and a defect specification of up to 10 full defects (primary & secondary) per 350 grams of coffee.

Cooperative

A coffee cooperative is a group of coffee producers cooperating to gain better access to resources, leverage better marketing and business opportunities, provide training, and more.

European Prep (EP)

Indicates the coffee has undergone rigorous sorting - usually by hand, though increasingly via optical sorters.

Fair Trade (FT)

Defines a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the right of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in developing countries.

Natural

A processing method that involves letting the coffee seed ferment inside the cherry before dry milling. Also called "dry" or "unwashed" process.

Organic

Coffee can be called organic if it is certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Strictly Hard Bean (SHB)

Strictly Hard Bean, a quality and altitude spec from Costa Rica and Guatemala, usually meaning that the coffee has been grown above 1,200 meters above sea level (MASL), usually a denser and higher-quality bean than the HB (Hard Bean) classification.

Strictly High Grown (SHG)

Strictly High Grown, a quality and altitude spec from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama, meaning that the coffee was grown above 1,200 meters above sea level (MASL) and connoting a denser, higher-quality bean than the HG (High Grown) classification.

Swiss / Swiss Water

A non-toxic/non-chemical decaffeination process that uses carbon filters and water to remove 99.9% of caffeine from unroasted coffee.