Ethiopian Green Coffee Grades & Specifications
Last updated: July 2026
What Ethiopian coffee grades mean, and the specifications you can expect on our export lots — grade, screen size, moisture, defect count and packaging. Everything you need to spec a purchase with confidence.
Ethiopian specialty green coffee is graded mainly by defect count: Grade 1 (roughly 0–3 defects per 300g) and Grade 2 (about 4–12 defects) cover the specialty range. Our export lots are typically Grade 1 or Grade 2, screen 14+, moisture 10–11.5%, in 60kg GrainPro-lined bags, with SCA cupping scores of 85–92.
The Ethiopian grading system
Ethiopian coffee is graded principally on primary and secondary defects counted in a 300g sample. Grade 1 is the cleanest (roughly 0–3 defects), Grade 2 next (about 4–12), running through to Grade 5. Specialty-grade exports are Grade 1 and Grade 2. Grade is combined with the cupping score, which for our lots is typically 85–92 on the SCA scale.
Typical export specifications
| Grade | Grade 1 / Grade 2 (specialty) |
| SCA cup score | 85–92 (independently cupped by licensed Q-graders) |
| Screen size | Predominantly screen 14 and above |
| Moisture content | 10–11.5% (within the 9–12.5% specialty norm) |
| Water activity | Typically below 0.60 aw |
| Processing | Washed, natural, or honey (on request) |
| Packaging | 60kg jute bags, GrainPro / hermetic liner |
| Crop | Current 2024/2025 harvest |
Screen size and bean grading
Screen size measures bean size in 1/64-inch increments. Ethiopian specialty lots are predominantly screen 14+, with many washing stations delivering an even screen for consistent roasting. We can provide screen analysis on request.
Moisture, water activity and packaging
We target 10–11.5% moisture and low water activity for stability in transit and storage, and pack in GrainPro-lined (or hermetic) 60kg bags to preserve freshness and protect quality on long sea voyages. A full specification sheet is provided with every offer and sample.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source Direct from Ethiopia
Traceable, SCA-scored green coffee. Free samples, 1-bag minimum, shipped worldwide.
