What is a Coffee Bean?
Each coffee cherry usually holds two beans, which are extracted during processing, then dried and roasted. While coffee is often treated as a commodity, specialty coffee aims to unlock and preserve the unique flavour potential of every bean.
At Nordic Approach, we source only traceable Arabica coffees and cup every lot before and after purchase. A coffee’s identity goes beyond origin—it’s shaped by variety, processing, harvest methods, and post-harvest care. That’s how we select for flavour, sweetness, and consistency.
The difference between a coffee bean and a coffee cherry is…
A coffee cherry is the fruit grown on the coffee plant. Inside that cherry are usually two seeds — the coffee beans. Processing methods (washed, natural, etc.) remove the fruit and mucilage, leaving the beans to be dried and stored. The term "coffee beans" refers to these seeds once they’re removed from the cherry and dried.
Coffee beans in Specialty vs Commercial coffee
In Commercial, coffee beans are often bulked and selected based on volume and price. Sorting may be limited, and defects like insect damage or underripes are tolerated. Quality is defined more by consistency and availability than by flavour.
In Specialty, coffee beans must meet a higher standard — starting with selective harvesting (ripe cherries only), careful processing, and defect control. Beans are evaluated by cup score, traceability, and physical condition. The goal is not just to meet a spec, but to express the distinct character of variety and terroir.
Where Nordic Approach fits in
We cup every lot, assess quality before purchase, and source only from producers who are transparent about harvest and processing. Our focus is on beans with flavour, structure, and potential — and we work closely with exporters and mills to ensure quality is preserved all the way to shipment.
FAQ about Coffee Beans
Q1: Why is grading important?
A1: Because bean size and density affect quality, flavor clarity, and how evenly the coffee roasts.
Q2: Why are coffee beans handled differently in specialty vs. commodity markets?
A2: Specialty beans undergo selective harvest, careful processing, defect control, traceability, and cupping. So flavor and quality matter more than volume.
Q3: What does AA, AB, or PB mean in Kenyan coffee?
A3: They are bean grades based on size: AA (large, screen 17/18), AB (medium, screen 16/17), and PB (peaberries).