What is the difference between Excelso and Supremo beans?

In the world of Colombian coffee, 'Supremo' and 'Excelso' are the two most common grading terms you will encounter. These terms are essentially a shorthand for bean size, which is a traditional way of sorting coffee in Colombia. Supremo beans are the largest, typically passing through a screen size of 17 or 18 (meaning they are 17/64ths or 18/64ths of an inch in diameter). Excelso beans are slightly smaller, generally falling into the 14 to 16 screen size range.

It is a common misconception that Supremo is inherently 'better' than Excelso. While larger beans are often associated with higher quality because they are thought to have developed more slowly and thus contain more complex sugars, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. A well-grown, carefully processed Excelso bean can easily outperform a poorly handled Supremo in the cup. The grade is a physical sorting metric, not a direct measure of flavor or quality.

When you see these terms on a bag, they are useful for understanding the consistency of the roast. Because beans of the same size tend to roast more evenly, a bag of uniform Supremo beans might be easier for a roaster to process than a mix of sizes. However, many specialty roasters now focus less on these traditional size grades and more on the specific farm, variety, and processing method, as these factors have a much greater impact on the final flavor profile.

In the specialty coffee market, you might find that a roaster doesn't even mention the grade, preferring to highlight the 'micro-lot' or the specific variety of the coffee. This is a positive trend, as it encourages consumers to look beyond the label and focus on the actual taste. If you are choosing between a Supremo and an Excelso, don't let the grade be the deciding factor. Instead, look for information about the flavor notes, the roast level, and the freshness of the coffee.

In practice, treat these grades as a guide to the physical characteristics of the bean rather than a guarantee of quality. If you find a coffee you love, note the origin and the roaster's approach, and don't worry too much about whether it is labeled Supremo or Excelso. The best coffee is the one that tastes best to you, regardless of the size of the bean.