How Is Coffee Rated? A Peek Behind the Beans
At The Greenhaus, we believe great coffee starts long before it reaches your cup. That smooth, chocolatey sip you love? It was meticulously evaluated, scored, and selected long before it ever met hot water.
Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of how coffee is rated—and why it matters when you’re choosing what to brew.
Coffee, Curated: The Journey to Specialty
Not all coffee is created equal. The industry uses a two-part process to separate the everyday from the exceptional: green coffee grading and cupping evaluations. These steps determine whether a coffee earns the prestigious title of specialty coffee—a label reserved for coffees that score 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale.
All of our coffee at The Greenhaus Coffee, Co. score 80 or above, meaning every cup we sell is certified specialty coffee.
1. Green Coffee Grading: First Impressions Matter
Size and Shape)
Larger beans are usually higher quality—grown at higher altitudes with more time to develop flavor.
Cleanliness)
No sticks, no stones, no surprises. Clean beans = quality beans.
Defects)
Too many damaged or discolored beans? That batch gets downgraded.
Moisture Content)
Beans need the perfect moisture level to roast and age properly—typically between 10–12%.
2. Coffee Cupping: The Flavor Test
Once beans are roasted, it's time for cupping—the professional tasting process that scores coffee on flavor, aroma, acidity, and more. It follows a strict protocol by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
What’s evaluated during cupping?
Fragrance & Aroma – The nose knows. Smell sets the stage.
Flavor – Overall taste experience.
Acidity – Brightness and liveliness (not bitterness).
Body – The weight or mouthfeel of the coffee.
Balance – How well all these elements work together.
Aftertaste – What lingers after the last sip.
Coffees that score 80+ are labeled as "specialty coffee"—and that's exactly what we offer.
3. Specialty Coffee vs. Commercial Coffee
Specialty Coffee (80–100 points)
✔️ Carefully sourced
✔️ Traceable origins
✔️ Ethically farmed
✔️ Full of flavor and character
Commercial Coffee (Below 80 points)
✖️ Mass-produced
✖️ Inconsistent flavor
✖️ Often over-roasted or bitter
✖️ Lower-quality beans
Why This Matters (and Why We Care)
At The Greenhaus Coffee, Co., every bean we offer has earned its place.
From the first roast to the final pour, we’re here for quality, community, and care.
Our current blend—a smooth, chocolate-forward roast from Central and South America—is roasted with intention and always scores above 80. That means you're sipping a coffee that’s been through the highest standard of testing—and still came out on top.
Taste the Difference for Yourself
Explore our ethically sourced, specialty-grade coffees—made for slow mornings, intentional moments, and all the beauty in between.
