What is the standard of coffee grading in Central and South America? does altitude determine the level of coffee?

It is understood that the more common classification of coffee beans is generally based on the size of coffee beans, according to the size of the sieve, and also according to the defect rate. of course, the difference in this classification also goes deep into every country and region, and they cannot be done step by step. after all, there is a big difference.

Most Central and South American countries

In Central and South American countries, most countries are graded according to one standard, which is altitude, SHG > HG,SHG and SHB have the same meaning, and so on. In fact, the height of growth is different from country to country. For example, in Ecuador, the SHG is more than 1300 meters, and the HG is 1,220, 1300 meters; in Honduras, the SHG is over 1200 meters, and the HG is 1000 meters, 1200 meters.

Grade

Description

SHG/SHB

Strictly High Grown / Strictly Hard Bean, extremely hard beans

HG/HB

Hight Grown / Hard Bean, hard beans

Other

Beans at lower elevations have different names from country to country.

Brazil

From high to low, respectively, Stictly Soft, Soft, Softish, Hard, Riada, Rio, Rio Zona,Hard, including a lower grade, can be regarded as commercial beans.

Brazil is one of the largest coffee producers in the world, ranging from cheap instant coffee to boutique-grade manor beans. Restricted by the natural environment, Brazil's coffee grows at a lower height than its neighbors, only about 600 to 1200 meters above sea level, so it has developed its own ranking. The Soft in the name does not mean that the beans are soft and hard, but that the flavor is mild and supple.

Colombia

Colombia is distinguished by the size of beans. Excelso and Supremo are all big beans, but the latter is a little bigger than the former. Colombia is often cited as an example: if you can know the origin of the producing area, it will be more helpful to understand the quality than the size of the beans.

Grade

Description

Supremo

17 mesh

Excelso

14mura 16.5 mesh