What does grade mean in green coffee?

Grade is a quality classification applied to green coffee, typically based on defect count per 300-gram sample, bean screen size, and preparation standard. The systems vary significantly by country - there's no universal green coffee grade.

Ethiopia grades 1 through 5 by defect count and cup quality, with Grade 1 being best. Colombia uses Supremo (screen 17+) and Excelso (screen 15–16) for size. Kenya uses letters for size (AA, AB, C, PB) combined with auction lot numbers for quality tiers. Brazil has its own defect and cup quality system. Understanding which system you're working with matters - a Grade 2 Ethiopian and a Brazilian Grade 2 are completely different propositions.

Grade is a starting point, not a guarantee. A well-sourced Ethiopian Grade 2 from a quality-focused cooperative can cup significantly better than a generic Grade 1 from a poorly managed station. The grade sets a floor; what happens above it depends entirely on the people and practices behind the coffee.