The World of Coffee Grading

DIVE Coffee Roasters is proud to be a specialty-grade coffee company. But if you find yourself asking, "what is specialty-grade coffee?" and "why does it cost so must more than the coffee I can get at the grocery store?" you are not alone. Many people do not realize that the world of coffee is as complex and nuanced as wine, with its own equivalent of sommeliers called "Q-graders."

While the concept of coffee grading may sound extravagant, its important to understand that its impact on the coffee industry extends beyond quality control. Its also a method that is essential for ensuring ethical sourcing, promoting sustainable practices, and securing fair pricing.

The Coffee Quality Institute

The Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) is a non-profit organization responsible for grading coffees. Since its inception in 1996, the CQI's grading standardization has served as a critical link between coffee quality and economic sustainability. Their partnership with coffee producers, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other key entities has bridge the gap between the global coffee industry and the livelihoods of the farmers who make it all possible.

The CGI oversees the Q Coffee System, the means by which coffee is globally graded. Q-graders are coffee professionals who have received rigorous training, and ultimately certification, through the CGI to evaluate coffee quality. They are responsible for the formal assessment of coffee, providing objective evaluations that producers, importers, exporters, and roasters use to select beans.

Coffee Evaluation & Grading

The Grading Process and Scoring Criteria

Coffees are assigned a score between 0 to 100 after a systemic evaluation of their quality, flavor profile, and overall suitability for market classification. Grading begins with a physical examination of the beans and ends with a tasting process called "cupping." The beans are first examined for any defects, size irregularities, and other imperfections before being evaluated for taste. Tasting attributes considered in scoring are:

• Fragrance/Aroma: Evaluates the smell of the coffee both when the coffee is dry and as it brews. A desirable coffee will have a strong, pleasant aroma that hints at its flavor profile.

• Flavor: This is the overall perception of taste, including the coffee's combined attributes. It considers the primary taste sensations (sweet, sour, salty, bitter) and how well they integrate to form the coffee's character. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) alongside World Coffee Research (WCR) developed the Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel, which is commonly used to evaluate and identify coffee flavor.

• Aftertaste: Assesses the lingering flavors after swallowing. A high-quality coffee will have a pleasant and memorable aftertaste that remains on the palate.

• Acidity: Refers to the perceived brightness or crispness in the coffee. In the coffee world, acidity is generally considered a positive trait, adding a vibrant and lively quality.

• Body: Describes the weight or thickness of the coffee as felt in the mouth. A coffee can have a light, medium, or full body, which contributes to the overall mouthfeel.

• Balance: Evaluates how well the flavor, aftertaste, acidity, and body harmonize together. A well-balanced coffee offers a cohesive and pleasing experience without any aspect overpowering the others.

• Sweetness: Naturally occurring sweetness is a positive attribute in coffee, often associated with the ripeness of the coffee cherry.

• Clean Cup: This criterion measures clarity and purity, indicating that there are no off-flavors or defects. A clean cup allows the true flavors to shine through.

• Uniformity: Consistency across multiple cups (often five cups are tested) brewed from the same batch. The scores for uniformity reflect the consistency in taste and appearance.

• Overall: This is the cupper's personal evaluation of the coffee's subjective qualities and their appreciation of the coffee as a whole.

Aroma Portion of Cupping

Breaking the Crust During Cupping

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) & World Coffee Research's (WCR) Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel

Coffee Grades

Based upon a coffee's final score, it will fall into one of five categories that describe its overall quality, consistency, and experience. Specialty and Premium grade coffees have a more rigorous scoring standard to adhere to, while Exchange, Below Standard, and Commercially graded coffees can fall anywhere below a score of 70, but are classified based upon other criterion, like the extent or consistency of defect and economic availability.

Grade	Scoring	Characteristics	Market
Specialty	80 - 100	Specialty-grade coffee is free from primary defects and is known for its superior flavor, aroma, and balance. These beans often come from meticulously managed farms and represent the top 5-10% of coffee globally.	Niche coffee shops & specialty roasters, offering single origin coffees and highly curated blends.
Premium	70 - 79	Often just below specialty grade, these beans have a slightly lower score. They still offer good quality with minimal defects, providing a pleasant and enjoyable cup of coffee. Comes from well-maintained farms, but the growing conditions or resources might not be as controlled as those for specialty-grade beans.	Premium supermarkets & boutique coffee shops that care about quality.
Exchange	< 70	This grade meets the baseline standards for international trading. While still drinkable, these coffees typically lack the distinctive flavors found in higher grades and may have more defects. These beans are typically from large coffee farms where mass production is prioritized over craftsmanship.	Commonly used in mass-market coffee blends to provide a base of flavor at a reduced costs.
Below Standard	< 70	These beans often contain more defects or damaged beans and score below standard quality on the grading scale. They're usually relegated to blends where they might be masked by other flavors. Often derived from beans that didn’t meet the criteria for higher grades due to defects in size, shape, or damage (e.g., insect or processing damage).	Used in low-cost coffee products or heavily blended and, often, darkly roasted to mask deficiencies.
Commercial	< 70	Often used in large-scale coffee production, such as instant coffee or generic grocery store blends, these beans are not distinguished by quality but rather price and availability. They serve as cost-effective options but lack the depth and complexity of higher grades. Grown in large quantities, often in regions optimized for high output rather than superior taste qualities. May feature blends of various origins.	Typically used in instant coffee, supermarket brands, or other mass-produced coffee products where cost is prioritized over taste.

Why DIVE Chooses Specialty-Grade Coffee

At DIVE Coffee Roasters, we believe that coffee is more than just a morning ritual; it's an art form that tells a story from seed to cup. Its a celebration of the awe-inspiring gifts of nature and a reflection of our deep appreciation for the hard-working farmers who cultivate the beans that we brew. Our commitment to specialty-grade coffee reflects our dedication to sustainability, our passion for exceptional flavors, and our goal to elevate coffee education within our community.

Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability is central to our mission. By selecting specialty-grade coffee, we champion farms committed to environmental stewardship. These farmers adopt sustainable practices such as shade-grown cultivation, organic farming, and water conservation, preserving the land for future generations. Specialty coffee transcends taste; it's about nurturing the planet and empowering the communities that rely on it. Maintaining demand for specialty-grade beans fosters competition that encourages more farms to embrace sustainable methods, ensuring fair pricing and economic stability within the industry.

Celebrating Nuanced Flavors

Specialty coffee invites you to explore a world of flavors, with each bean offering unique characteristics tied to its origin. At DIVE, we meticulously select single-origin beans and curate adventurous blends that highlight the diverse and complex profiles from regions around the globe. From the floral notes of Ethiopian beans to the rich chocolate undertones of Colombian coffee, each cup you try is a journey into the heart of its origin.

Passion for Education and Adventure

We're passionate about bringing coffee education to our community. By curating specialty-grade coffee, we offer our customers a chance to deepen their understanding and appreciation of coffee from farm to cup.

The Value of Quality and Craftsmanship

Specialty coffee is more expensive, but for good reason. It undergoes rigorous grading, with scores of 80 or above, and each bean is scrutinized for quality. The farms producing these beans take extraordinary care in cultivation and processing, ensuring that every cup delivers unparalleled taste. This meticulous process involves additional labor, precision, and a commitment to excellence.

The Price of Specialty Coffee

We understand that the higher price of our coffee may stand out compared to options at the grocery store or those offered by larger coffee chains. However, choosing to support a business like DIVE Coffee Roasters by investing in specialty-grade coffee means more than just enjoying a great cup of coffee. It's a commitment to:

• Experiencing Exceptional Coffee: Discover the rich, nuanced flavors of meticulously sourced beans from around the world.

• Supporting a Small, Veteran & Family-Owned Business: Your purchase helps sustain our passion-driven, independently run operations.

• Promoting Sustainable Practices: You empower farms practicing environmentally responsible cultivation methods and a coffee company dedicated to providing consumers with exceptional coffee that doesn't cost the planet.

• Advocating for Ethical Sourcing: Your choice fosters transparency and fairness throughout the supply chain.

• Championing Ongoing Coffee Education: Join us in our mission to share the stories and science behind every brew.

• Strengthening Critical Economies: Support communities in developing countries, contributing to their economic stability and growth.

By choosing DIVE Coffee Roasters, you are taking a step towards a more sustainable, equitable, and flavorful coffee experience with every cup.