Kenya size and density grades (EAS 130 / Nairobi Coffee Exchange)

Kenya sorts washed arabica mechanically by bean size and shape into letter grades (E, AA, AB, PB, C, TT, T) and then has licensed liquorers assign a cup class, so an AA is a size, not a quality promise. The screen ranges in the harmonised East African standard EAS 130:1999 differ slightly from the importer shorthand (AA as 17-18, AB as 15-16), which is why published tables disagree. Coffee is sold through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange auction or by direct 'second window' sale, and grade names are the same ones used in Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya

Grades
8
Defect sample
not published
Screen sizes
6listed
Origins using it
1

The grades

In this atlas's own words
GradeWhat it requires
E (Elephant)Very large or fused beans retained on screen 21 (8.3 mm).
AAFlat beans through screen 21 and retained on screen 18 (7.2 mm); importers quote 17-18.
ABFlat beans through screen 18 and retained on screen 16 (6.35 mm); importers quote 15-16.
PB (Peaberry)Single-ovule round beans, sized on slotted screens, through 17 and retained on 12 (4.76 mm).
CSmaller flat beans through screen 16 and retained on screen 10 (3.96 mm).
TTLight-density beans blown out of AA, AB and E by air separation.
TSmallest fraction: brokens and small C beans.
MH / ML (Mbuni)Unwashed 'mbuni' heavy and light, outside the washed grade ladder.

How it is measured

Screen sizes

  • 21 (E)
  • 18 (AA)
  • 16 (AB)
  • 12 slotted (PB)
  • 10 (C)
  • 7 (dust limit)

Defects

The East African standard requires at least 95% of beans to fall within the declared grade, caps moisture at 10.5%, and classes insect damage into tolerance bands; cup classes (fine, good, fair to good, FAQ and lower) are assigned by liquorers after roasting, with ten final quality classes combining raw, roast and liquor.

Altitude terms

None used.

Other grading systems