Coffee Bean Size Classification: An Important Step

Many factors affect the flavor of coffee, in which, bean size is one of them. Because there is a common point between coffee bean size and its quality. Normally, larger coffee beans offer higher quality coffee than smaller ones. Therefore, coffee bean size is an extremely important criterion for classifying coffee. Classifying coffee by bean size has become a common scale in the coffee industry. Let’s explore about the coffee bean size and classification of beans in the following post!

1. Why classify Coffee Beans by size is important?

Sorting coffee beans by size is an important step in coffee beans processing. This sorting step can help:

Ensure consistent quality: Coffee beans with uniform size will roast more evenly. Therefore it provides a stable and characteristic flavor for each type of coffee.

Optimize the roasting process: Large and small coffee beans have different roasting times. Classification helps adjust the appropriate temperature and roasting time, therefore, avoiding burnt or undercooked beans.

Increase product value: Coffee with even, beautiful beans is often more highly valued and has a better price on the market.

2. The Coffee Bean size classification process

Here are the steps in the classification process of coffee beans. 

Screening: The workers pour coffee beans through vibrating screens with different hole sizes. These screens with holes of different diameters according to specific standards (from 8 to 20/64 inches). If you have a handful of green coffee, spread it on an 18/64-inch screen. The beans that are on the screen will be classified as screen 18. The beans that fall through the screen and stay on the 16/64 screen will be classified as screen 16. 

Like that, we will have relatively groups of coffee beans of the same size. However, this classification is also difficult to be 100% absolute, SCA allows a 5% error with screen measurements.

The numbers 20, 18, 16… have the meaning the ratio of beans on 64 parts of 1 inch. For example, sieve 18 corresponds to 18/64 inch or 7.1mm, and sieve 16 is 16/64 inch or 6.3mm.

Classification: After screening, they divide the coffee beans into different size groups.

Packaging: Last, they package the bean groups separately for ease of use and storage.

3. Common Coffee Bean sizes

Vibrating screens usually measure coffee bean sizes. Sifters come in many different sizes, usually numbered from 8 to 20. In which 20 is the largest and 8 is the smallest. 

• Large beans (size 16, 18, 20): Large beans often give coffee with a rich flavor and thick body.
• Medium beans (size 14): Medium beans give coffee with a balanced flavor and moderate body.
• Small beans (size 8, 10, 12): Small beans often give coffee a light flavor and a thin body.

Size	Inch	Classification
20	20/64	Very Large
18	18/64	Large
16	16/64	Large
14	14/64	Medium
12	12/64	Small
10	10/64	Shells
8	8/64	Shells

4. The effect of Coffee Bean size classification

Coffee roasters: Helps to adjust the roasting process accurately to ensure the quality of roasted coffee beans.

For baristas: Helps choose the right bean type for each brewing method and customer preferences.

For consumers: Ensures enjoying a cup of coffee with consistent flavor and high quality.

However, bean size is not the only factor that affects the quality of coffee. Other factors such as coffee variety, growing region, and processing method also greatly affect the flavor of coffee.

Conclusion

Sorting coffee beans by size is an important step in the coffee processing process. Because it helps to ensure quality and increase product value. Understanding the classification process and bean sizes can help you choose the most suitable coffee beans to enjoy.

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing high-quality Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.