Coffee beans are examined and graded based upon criteria which are the same in each exporting country, based upon altitude, region, preparation method, shape, colour and taste. The five grades of coffee exist to filter out imperfections like large stones, unripe beans or shells.
Here at rijo42, we only sell organic Grade 1 coffee beans.
Defective beans might look like the odd one out in a batch. If the colour differs (darker or lighter than the majority) or is blotchy, the bean would be counted as defective. Defective beans can be linked back to specific events in the growing process, for example, those affected by drought have ragged shapes and a paler colour.