Full form: PB = Peaberry
What it is: A naturally occurring round bean where one seed develops inside the coffee cherry instead of the usual two.
Importance: Dense, distinctive beans that are valued for their roasting characteristics and concentrated flavour.
Full form: Robusta Cherry Peaberry Processing: Natural / dry processed Robusta.
Importance: Round Robusta beans with strong body and bold character; useful for premium blends and espresso.
Full form: Robusta Cherry A/BProcessing: Natural / dry processed Robusta.
Importance: A commercially important grade offering a balance of bean size, consistency and strong Robusta character.
Full form: Robusta Cherry A
Processing: Natural / dry processed Robusta.
Importance: Good-quality Robusta suitable for blends, espresso and commercial roasting.
Full form: Robusta Cherry AA
Processing: Natural / dry processed Robusta.
Importance: A larger, higher-grade Robusta category valued for body, strength and consistent roasting.
Full form: Robusta Cherry AAA
Important: AAA is not part of the current standard Coffee Board export-grade list for Robusta Cherry; the established grades include PB, AA, A, AB, C and others. If your supplier sells “AAA,” it should be confirmed against their specification.
Full form: Plantation A / Washed Arabica
Processing: Washed.
Importance: A clean, balanced Arabica grade widely used for quality blends and roasted coffee. Plantation is the Indian trade term associated with washed Arabica.
Full form: Plantation AA / Washed Arabica AA
Processing: Washed.
Importance: Larger, well-sorted beans with good uniformity, making them attractive for premium roasting and export.
Full form: Plantation AAA
Important: AAA is not listed among the standard Coffee Board Plantation grades; the Coffee Board’s established Plantation grades include PB, A, B, C, etc. If your supplier specifically offers Plantation AAA, obtain their screen-size and defect specification before publishing it as an official grade.
Full name: Monsooned Malabar
Origin: India, particularly the Malabar region.
Process: Green coffee is deliberately exposed to humid monsoon conditions, changing the bean’s appearance and cup profile.
Importance: A distinctive Indian specialty coffee known for very low acidity, heavy body and mellow, earthy/malty character. The Coffee Board identifies Monsooned Malabar as a specialty coffee.
Full name: Washed Robusta / Robusta Parchment
Processing: The coffee fruit is removed and the beans are washed before drying.
Importance: Generally gives a cleaner and more refined Robusta profile, with good body and strength. The Coffee Board classifies washed Robusta as Robusta Parchment.
Full form: Green Robusta
Important: AAA is not part of the current standard Coffee Board export-grade list for Robusta Cherry; the established grades include PB, AA, A, AB, C and others. If your supplier sells “AAA,” it should be confirmed against their specification.