Central America Guatemala Coffee Bean Grade SHB

Coffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oil in trade. Arabica accounts for about 70% of the world coffee production, and about 10% of these 70% Arabica receive fine coffee, known as "Specialty Coffee" and "boutique coffee". Among these excellent coffee into the category of "boutique coffee", 1% to 2% are outstanding-with excellent quality that represents the style of their own origin.

Generally speaking, the quality of coffee beans is closely related to planting altitude. Under the same roasting condition, the quality of coffee beans at high altitude is much better than those with low altitude in terms of aroma persistence, depth and complexity of taste. Therefore, in the classification standards of coffee beans from various producing areas, it is also a typical classification method according to altitude, and most coffee producing countries in Central America are classified according to altitude. Such as Guatemala, Costa Rica.

Table: grading criteria of Guatemalan coffee beans

Grade

Name

Abbreviations

Altitude (m)

one

Strictly Hard Bean extremely hard bean

SHB

≥ 1400

two

Hard Bean hard bean

HB

1200-1400

three

Semi Hard Bean slightly hard beans

SH

1100-1200

four

Extra Prime Washed extra high quality water washed beans

EPW

9-1100

five

Prime Washed high quality water washed beans

PW

800-900

six

Extra Good Washed special quality water washed beans

EGW

600-800

seven

Good Washed good quality water washed beans

GW

Less than 600