Understanding Indian green-coffee grades.

Valora discusses washed Arabica (Plantation), natural Arabica (Arabica Cherry), washed Robusta (Robusta Parchment) and natural Robusta (Robusta Cherry). These are green-coffee trade descriptions. “Cherry” in this context describes dry-processed green coffee rather than fresh fruit supplied for roasting.

PB denotes peaberry. Other grade names, such as AA, A, AB or B, are used within particular preparations. Ask for the actual physical specification and assessment basis for the proposed lot instead of assuming that the same grade label describes every species or process identically.

Compare species, processing, grade, screen distribution, harvest, moisture and defect assessment. Record the available cup assessment separately. A physical grade does not establish a sensory score, and a named specialty selection does not by itself confirm the identity of an available lot.

Background reading: Coffee Board of India specialty coffees.

These descriptions help organise a purchasing discussion. They are not interchangeable offers. For example, a request for “Indian AA coffee” leaves the species and processing unclear. The same purchasing team may need washed Arabica for one roast and natural Robusta for a separate blend component; each needs its own specification and evaluation.

Valora’s green-coffee range page lists the preparations and grade names discussed for enquiries. Particular grades, lots and quantities remain subject to confirmation. If you are matching a previous purchase, send its specification as well as the trade name so the comparison starts from the physical preparation you actually used.

Ask for the basis of each statement. Record which lot was assessed, who supplied the information and what is still to be confirmed. A cup description without sample identity is difficult to compare, just as a screen specification without an assessment basis leaves the physical description incomplete.

For named Indian selections, keep the name separate from a proposed lot’s supporting details. The Coffee Board describes monsooning and specialty preparations, but its background material is not proof that an offered lot meets a particular selection’s requirements. Confirm the preparation and lot information in the sourcing discussion.

“Best grade” is not a complete purchasing brief because it does not say how the coffee will be used. Start with the roast or blend application and the attributes your evaluation needs to establish. You can ask Valora to discuss options if the preparation is undecided.

Do not replace a missing specification with an assumed screen size, moisture limit or defect count taken from another preparation. State your required values and assessment basis, or mark them as questions for the proposed lot. This avoids accepting a trade label as a substitute for the agreement you need.

Background sources: Coffee Board specialty preparations and Coffee Board regions and varieties. These describe Indian coffee; available Valora supply is confirmed separately.

• Coffee formats
• Coffee sourcing checklist