11/04/2025
Coffee bean scores are determined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) on a 100-point scale, where a score of 80 or above is considered "specialty" grade. The score is based on an evaluation of attributes like aroma, flavor, acidity, and body, and the deduction of points for defects found during a process called "cupping".
Scoring ranges and grades
90–100: Exceptional
85–89.99: Excellent
80–84.99: Very Good / Good
Below 80: Commodity or lower-quality coffee
How coffee is scored
Cupping: Professional graders evaluate the coffee by sniffing dry and wet grounds and then tasting the brewed coffee.
Attributes: Ten different attributes are scored, including fragrance/aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, and body.
Defects: Points are deducted for defects, with "taints" reducing the score by 2 points and "faults" by 4 points per cup.
Final score: The final score is determined by subtracting the total defect points from the initial quality score.
What specialty coffee means
High-quality: Coffee that scores 80 or above is considered specialty, meaning it is high-quality, with distinct flavors and minimal defects.
Carefully grown: These beans are typically grown in ideal climates at high altitudes and are carefully harvested and processed.
Valuable: Specialty coffee is a niche product that is often more expensive due to its superior quality and the ethical practices used in its production.
