One of the most common questions we get from new roaster buyers: "Do I need specialty grade, or will commercial grade work?" The answer depends on your market, margin structure, and product positioning — not on quality snobbery.
Defining the Grades
Specialty Grade (84+ SCA Score)
Green coffee scoring 84 points or above on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) 100-point scale, cupped by a certified Q Grader. Specific requirements:
- Zero Category 1 defects (quakers, blacks, sours)
- Maximum 5 full defects per 350g sample
- Moisture: 10–13%
- No faults or taints in the cup
Typical FOB premium: +15–40% above commercial grade. Most specialty roasters and third-wave cafés require this tier.
Commercial Grade (Grade 1 / SNI Standard)
Indonesia's SNI Grade 1 standard allows up to 11 defects per 300g sample — broader tolerance than SCA specialty. Screen size 15–19, moisture 10–13%. This covers the majority of global green coffee trade and is the standard for:
- Espresso blends
- Private label products
- Retail and supermarket-grade coffee
- Industrial roasters supplying office coffee programs
Trade/Industrial Grade (Below Grade 1)
Grade 2–6 coffees are used for soluble (instant) coffee, coffee extract, and low-cost retail blends. This is not what Willkin supplies — we focus on Grade 1 and specialty only.
The Real Difference in the Cup
| Specialty (84+) | Commercial G1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cup clarity | High — distinct origin character | Medium — typical varietal notes |
| Defect presence | None/trace | Up to 11 defects/300g |
| Best use | Single origin, pour-over, AeroPress | Espresso blend, drip, batch brew |
| Price premium | +15–40% FOB | Baseline |
| Lot size | Small (1–5 MT) | Large (5–17+ MT) |
When to Choose Commercial Grade
- You're blending 3+ origins and individual character will be masked
- Your end market is office coffee or private label supermarket
- You need consistent 10+ MT supply of a single origin
- Margin pressure makes specialty pricing impractical
Commercial Grade 1 Gayo Arabica from Willkin is clean, consistent, and performs well in espresso blends. Many European importers use it as their "Indonesia" blend component at high volume.
When to Choose Specialty
- You sell single-origin offerings at USD 18–30/250g retail
- Your café is SCA or specialty-certified and buyers ask for cup scores
- You're targeting the third-wave market in the USA, Japan, Australia, or South Korea
- You can absorb the premium and differentiate on quality storytelling
Can You Source Both from Willkin?
Yes. Willkin supplies both commercial Grade 1 (bulk volume) and specialty-screened lots (selected by moisture, screen size, and cup score). For specialty lots, we recommend requesting a sample and cup score before committing to volume.
Request a quote for Grade 1 or Specialty lots → specify your grade requirement in the form.