When you’re shopping for coffee, you’ve probably seen words like "premium" or "gourmet" plastered all over the packaging. But what do they really mean? One word you rarely hear much about is grade. Yet, the grade of coffee beans used in your cup is one of the biggest factors that determines its quality. So, let's break it down and talk about what these grades actually mean—and why you should care.
The Coffee Grading System: What You Need to Know
Let’s start with the basics. Coffee is graded based on factors like bean size, shape, colour, and defect rate (imperfections found in the beans). Grades typically range from AAA (the highest quality) to lower grades like A, B, and C.
- AAA Grade: This is the gold standard—large beans, free of defects, carefully picked and sorted. The flavour profile of AAA-grade coffee is usually more complex, rich, and balanced.
- AA and A Grade: These are good quality beans, but they might have a few minor defects or be slightly smaller in size. They still produce a decent cup but lack the depth found in AAA.
- B, C, and lower grades: These beans usually have more defects and inconsistencies in size and flavour. They’re often used in bulk commercial coffee or blended with chicory and other fillers to cover up the imperfections.
What Are Most Brands Using?
Here’s the reality: most commercial instant coffee brands don’t use high-grade beans. They use lower-grade coffee, and to mask the lack of quality, they might add chicory or roast the beans to a dark, almost burnt level. It’s like buying a fruit juice that’s mostly water and sugar—you might get some flavor, but it’s far from the real, pure experience.
Our Coffee: The AAA-Grade Difference
At Bestia Brisk, we source AAA-grade coffee beans from Kodagu (Coorg), India. These beans are handpicked and sorted to ensure they’re free of defects, with the perfect size and shape to deliver a rich, balanced flavour. We do this because the quality of the beans is the foundation of an exceptional cup of coffee. Think of it like using premium ingredients in cooking; a dish made with the finest ingredients will always taste better than one made with whatever’s on hand.
Why You Should Care About Coffee Grades
You might be wondering, “Does the grade of coffee really make that much of a difference?” In a word: absolutely. Here’s an analogy to make it clearer. Imagine you’re buying apples. AAA-grade coffee beans are like the crisp, juicy apples you pick fresh from the orchard. Lower-grade beans? Those are the bruised, slightly mushy apples sitting at the bottom of the barrel. Sure, you can make juice out of both, but only one is going to give you that sweet, refreshing taste you’re after.
The grade of coffee affects everything from flavour to texture. AAA-grade beans, when brewed, produce a smooth, rich, and layered flavour profile that doesn’t require chicory or additives to taste good. You’re getting the coffee’s pure essence—just like biting into that perfectly ripe apple.
Quality You Can Taste
We chose AAA-grade beans for a reason: because you deserve better than mediocre coffee. By selecting only the finest beans, we’re ensuring that every cup of Bestia Brisk offers that deep, smooth flavor with just the right amount of strength. It’s coffee the way it’s meant to be, free from fillers and flaws.
Quality Over Compromise
So next time you reach for your coffee, take a moment to think about the grade of beans that went into it. You wouldn’t settle for the cheapest, lowest-quality ingredients in a meal you’re excited to eat—so why should coffee be any different? When you choose coffee made with AAA-grade beans, like Bestia Brisk, you’re choosing quality, depth, and an experience that’s worth savouring.