How We Score
Every pick is scored 0–12 across five dimensions — that's what the little chips (e.g. “Varietal 3/3”) on each pick mean. Higher scores lean into rare varietals, deep farm traceability, and adventurous processing.
Varietal
max 3The specific coffee plant variety. Rarer, more distinctive varietals score higher.
- 3 Gesha or Geisha — the most sought-after varietal in specialty coffee
- 2 Pink Bourbon, Wush Wush, Sidra, Tabi, Typica Mejorado, or Eugenioides
- 1 Any other notable or named varietal
- 0 Unknown or common (Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai, etc.)
Farm Traceability
max 3How specifically the coffee's origin is documented, down to the individual farm.
- 3 Finca La Negrita or Inmaculada
- 2 Hacienda La Esmeralda or another named watch farm
- 1 Any named farm with producer-level traceability
- 0 Region or country only — no farm info
Origin
max 2The growing country or region.
- 2 Colombia
- 1 Ethiopia, Panama, Guatemala, or Costa Rica
- 0 Any other origin
Process
max 2How the coffee cherry was processed after harvest, which shapes flavor.
- 2 Experimental: anaerobic, carbonic maceration, or other novel process
- 1 Classic specialty: washed, natural, or honey
- 0 Unknown process
Roaster Trust
max 2How much we trust the roaster's sourcing and quality track record.
- 2 On the preferred roasters list
- 1 Known quality roaster (discovered via web search)
- 0 Unknown roaster
Every pick is scored out of 12 points total. See a pick's scores next to its name on the Picks page.