Green Coffee Procurement Guide: Varieties, Processing Methods, Defect Rate and Cupping Grades

Both called “Yunnan small-grain coffee,” the acceptance standards for commercial and specialty beans are almost two separate systems. Buyers must write the acceptance criteria into the contract before ordering, or disputes are likely upon delivery.

I. Confirm the Variety

Catimor: High-yield and disease-resistant, long the dominant cultivated variety in Yunnan, mostly used as commercial beans and blend base.
Typica / Bourbon: Traditional high-quality varieties with good flavor but lower yield.
Geisha: A premium variety whose price can exceed ten times that of commercial beans.
Yunca series: Varieties independently bred by the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences; public reports indicate Yunca No. 2 scores 86.75 on cupping.

II. Confirm the Processing Method

Natural (sun-dried): Low cost, full-bodied flavor, requires high batch stability.
Washed: High cleanliness, stable flavor; a common method for specialty coffee.
Honey / anaerobic fermentation / wine-style processing: New specialty methods with high flavor recognition and clear premiums, demanding higher technical skill from the processor.

III. Acceptance Indicators

Indicator	Common Requirements
Moisture content	Generally required in the 9%–12.5% range; too high risks mold, too low affects flavor
Defect rate	Commercial and specialty standards differ greatly; public reports show some specialty brands require a defect rate below 3%
Cupping score	80 is the specialty threshold; above 85 enters the premium range
Green bean density and screen size	Determined by roasting purpose; high-altitude beans usually have higher density

IV. Contract Clause Recommendations

Batch retention sample: the basis for handling failed re-inspection on arrival; the retention period and testing agency must be agreed upon.
Specify the six core indicators: variety, processing method, altitude, moisture content, defect rate, and cupping score.
For bulk orders, agree on split delivery and arrival re-inspection; a small trial order is advisable for the first batch.
For exports, confirm inspection/quarantine, documentation, and certification requirements (organic, Rainforest Alliance, 4C, etc.) in advance.

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