What does European Preparation mean?
European Preparation is a term used to indicate that additional hand sorting has been performed on the coffee after optical sorting. Originating from European buyers' requirements, it does not necessarily mean the cup quality is better or worse than coffee without the term applied. Hand sorting is a common practice in many coffees, and the absence of the term does not indicate a lack of hand sorting.
European Preparation is a selling point for some coffee importers and roasters who believe that this additional sorting improves the quality of the coffee. However, it is important to note that the quality of coffee is determined by many factors, including growing conditions, harvesting methods, and processing techniques, in addition to sorting. Therefore, the term should be considered as just one factor in evaluating the quality of coffee, and cupping evaluations are essential in determining the overall quality of a coffee.