Coffee scoring is one of the main criteria for identifying the quality and sensory profile of a beverage. The score assigned to a Specialty Coffee is internationally recognized and helps consumers make more informed choices, relying on a technical and sensory evaluation.
This score follows criteria established by BSCA (Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association), an entity that defines standards of excellence for the Specialty Coffee market. Understanding what this score represents is the first step to appreciating high-quality coffees. Prepare your cup of Orfeu and learn more about the scores:
What is the score and how does it work?
Coffee scoring is a grade assigned by certified professionals (Q-Graders) who evaluate the beverage according to sensory criteria defined by the BSCA. Only coffees that achieve more than 80 points are classified as Specialty Coffee, meaning beans that have a clean flavor, natural sweetness, balance, and no defects.
This score is assigned in sessions known as cuppings, where specialists technically evaluate the beverage, ensuring consistency in the results.
Criteria that define the score
According to international standards, different aspects of coffee are evaluated in cupping, and each has a weight in the final score:
- Fragrance: intensity and olfactory profile of the coffee immediately after grinding and before infusion in water.
- Aroma: intensity and olfactory profile of the coffee during infusion in water.
- Flavor: notes perceived on the palate, which may resemble fruits, flowers, nuts, among others.
- Acidity: a positive characteristic that brings brightness and vibrancy to the beverage.
- Body: the sensation of the coffee in the mouth, which can vary between light, medium, and full-bodied.
- Sweetness: natural perception of sweetness, without added sugar.
- Balance: harmony between sensory attributes.
- Finish (aftertaste): pleasant persistence of flavor after the sip.
- Absence of defects: Specialty Coffees have no undesirable flavors.
Orfeu coffees are rigorously evaluated and score between 81 and 90 points, reflecting excellence in every stage of production. Learn about each one and choose your favorite Orfeu here.
Why is scoring important when choosing a Specialty Coffee?
More than a number, the score represents all the care in cultivation, harvesting, processing, and roasting. A high-scoring Specialty Coffee tends to offer a more complete experience, with complex aromatic notes, natural sweetness, balanced acidity, and a pleasant finish.
For those looking for an excellent coffee, understanding the score is essential — it translates the quality of the beverage and serves as a reliable guide when choosing.
If you want to find out your coffee's score, look at the packaging: this information is on the BSCA label, as it is an important indicator of quality.
Excellence from seed to cup
Orfeu exclusively offers coffees scored between 81 and 90 points, reflecting the care taken with every detail of production. From the terroir to the harvesting method, from natural drying to precise roasting — everything is done to preserve the best in each bean.
The seal helps guide your choice with confidence and clarity. The coffee score represents the result of careful and passionate work at every stage of production — something we value from the farm to the cup.