What are the common grading terms in Colombia?

In the world of Colombian coffee, grading is a matter of physical sorting rather than a direct measure of taste. The two most common terms you will encounter are Supremo and Excelso. These classifications were established by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC) to standardize the export of green coffee based on screen size—the physical diameter of the bean. Supremo beans are the largest, typically passing through a screen size of 17 or 18, while Excelso beans are slightly smaller, generally ranging from screen size 14 to 16.

It is a common misconception that these labels function as a quality hierarchy where Supremo is inherently 'better' than Excelso. In reality, a bag of Excelso can contain coffee that is just as delicious and complex as a bag of Supremo. Because these grades are based on size, they do not account for the specific farm, the processing method, or the sensory performance of the coffee. A Supremo lot might be ordinary, while an Excelso lot from a high-altitude, well-managed farm could be exceptional.

Beyond these two, you may occasionally see the term UGQ, which stands for 'Usual Good Quality.' This is a commercial-grade classification for smaller beans that do not meet the size requirements for the premium export categories. While these terms help roasters understand the physical preparation of a lot, they are not universal indicators of quality.

For the modern specialty coffee buyer, these traditional export grades are increasingly being supplemented or replaced by more precise data. Today, you are more likely to see information regarding the specific cooperative, the farmer, the altitude, and the SCA cupping score. When you see 'Excelso' or 'Supremo' on a bag, view it as a description of the bean's physical size rather than a guarantee of its flavor profile. In practice, always prioritize the cupping score and the roaster's tasting notes over the size-based grade when selecting your next bag of Colombian coffee.