Sourcing green coffee is the most critical decision a roaster makes. It dictates your flavor profile, your margins, and ultimately, your brand’s reputation. While the global market is flooded with options, finding high-quality Arabica Coffee Beans that meet your specific standards requires more than just a quick taste test.
For importers and wholesale buyers, the difference between a profitable container and a costly mistake often lies in the technical details. Whether you are sourcing from the highlands of India or the mountains of Colombia, due diligence is non-negotiable.
Here are the 5 essential things you must check before purchasing bulk Arabica Coffee Beans to ensure you get the quality you paid for.
1. Moisture Content: The Silent Quality Killer
The first and perhaps most critical technical specification to check is moisture content. For export-grade green coffee beans, the international standard is typically between 10% and 12%.
Why does this matter?
Too Wet (>12%): If the beans have excess moisture, they are at high risk of developing mold (including mycotoxins like Ochratoxin A) during transit. “Container rain”—where condensation forms inside the shipping container—can ruin an entire shipment of Arabica Coffee Beans before it reaches your warehouse.
Too Dry (<10%): Beans that are over-dried will lose their vibrancy and flavor. They become brittle and may crack during roasting, leading to uneven heat distribution and a flat tasting cup.
Pro Tip: Always request a pre-shipment moisture reading and ensure your supplier uses GrainPro or Ecotact bags to maintain stability during ocean freight.
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2. Screen Size and Grading Consistency
In the world of wholesale coffee, size matters. Coffee beans are graded by “screen size,” which measures the diameter of the bean in increments of 1/64th of an inch.
For premium Indian Arabica Coffee Beans, you will often see grades like:
Plantation AA: Screen 18 (Bold, large beans).
Plantation A: Screen 17 (Standard premium size).
Uniformity is key. If a bulk bag contains a mix of large and small beans, they will roast unevenly. The small beans will burn (char) before the large beans are fully developed (under-roasted). This inconsistency ruins the cup profile. When evaluating a sample, visually check for size uniformity. A high-quality lot should be at least 90-95% uniform in screen size.
3. The Defect Count (Blacks, Browns, and Broken)
Not all beans in a harvest are perfect. The “Defect Count” is a standardized method of quantifying imperfections in a 300g sample.
When buying premium Arabica Coffee Beans, you need to know exactly what “grade” you are paying for.
Primary Defects: Full black beans, sour beans, or foreign matter (sticks/stones). These severely impact the flavor (taint) and are generally not allowed in Specialty Grade coffee.
Secondary Defects: Broken beans, chipped beans, or slight insect damage.
Ask your supplier for a detailed defect report. If you are paying for Specialty Grade Arabica, the primary defect count should be zero, and secondary defects should be minimal (typically less than 5). If you are buying commercial grade, ensure the defect count aligns with the price point so you aren’t overpaying for “clean” beans that are actually full of imperfections.
4. Cup Score and Sensory Profile
Technical specs are important, but flavor is king. Never buy bulk Arabica Coffee Beans without “cupping” (tasting) a pre-shipment sample.
Arabica is prized for its acidity, sugar, and complex aromatics. However, the profile varies wildly by region.
Indian Arabica: Known for being shade-grown, which results in lower acidity, fuller body, and notes of spice, chocolate, and fruit.
African Arabica: Often higher in acidity with floral and citrus notes.
Ensure the “Cup Score” (on a scale of 100) matches your requirements. Specialty coffee typically scores 80+. If you are sourcing for a specific blend (e.g., an espresso blend), you might prioritize body over acidity. Explicitly communicate your required flavor notes to your exporter to avoid receiving a lot that is technically perfect but flavor-wise incompatible with your brand.
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5. Traceability and Certifications
In 2026, knowing where your coffee comes from is no longer optional—it is a market requirement. European and North American consumers are increasingly demanding transparency.
Before signing the contract for Arabica Coffee Beans, check the traceability:
Estate vs. Coop: Is this a single-estate lot (consistent flavor) or a cooperative blend (potential for variation)?
Certifications: Does your market require Organic, Rainforest Alliance, or Fair Trade certification?
EUDR Compliance: If you are importing into Europe, you must ensure the coffee complies with the EU Deforestation Regulation. Your supplier must provide geolocation data for the farm plots.
Verifying these documents upfront prevents customs delays and ensures your product can legally be sold in your target market.
The Value of a Trusted Supplier
Buying bulk Arabica Coffee Beans is an investment. By rigorously checking moisture, screen size, defects, cup quality, and documentation, you mitigate risk and ensure a consistent product for your customers.
However, the most effective quality control measure is choosing the right partner. A transparent exporter will happily provide samples, lab reports, and geolocation data because they have nothing to hide. When you find a supplier who treats your specs as their own, you have found the key to long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ideal moisture content for green Arabica beans?
The industry standard for export-grade Arabica Coffee Beans is between 10% and 12%. This range prevents mold growth while preserving the bean’s flavor and longevity.
2. Why is screen size important for roasting?
Uniform screen size ensures even heat transfer during roasting. If beans vary in size, smaller beans will burn while larger ones remain undercooked, resulting in an inconsistent and unpleasant taste.
3. What is the difference between Plantation A and Plantation AA?
These are Indian grading terms based on screen size. Plantation AA beans are larger (Screen 18), while Plantation A beans are slightly smaller (Screen 17). Both are premium washed Arabicas, but AA is considered the “bold” grade.
4. How do I check for defects in a bulk sample?
You should request a 300g representative sample. Spread the beans on a black mat and visually count “primary defects” (black or sour beans) and “secondary defects” (broken or chipped beans) according to SCA or local grading standards.
5. What does “Shade-Grown” Arabica taste like?
Shade-grown Arabica Coffee Beans, typical of India, ripen slower. This results in a bean with lower acidity, a heavier body, and complex spicy or chocolaty notes, making them distinct from high-acid African coffees.
6. Can I import Arabica beans without certifications?
Yes, you can import conventional coffee. However, for specific markets (like organic stores) or regions (like the EU under EUDR), certifications and traceability documents are mandatory for customs clearance and legal sales.
7. How long can green Arabica beans be stored?
If stored in a cool, dry environment in high-barrier bags (like GrainPro), green beans can remain fresh for 12 to 18 months. In standard jute bags, quality may start to degrade after 6-9 months due to moisture absorption.
8. What is a “Pre-Shipment Sample”?
This is a sample drawn from the actual lot that is packed and ready to ship. It is the final verification a buyer performs to ensure the quality matches the initial offer sample before the container leaves the port.
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