In coffee, what does screen size mean?
Screen size is an important aspect of coffee cultivation and processing, as it refers to the physical size of the coffee beans. Coffee beans are sorted by passing them through a series of metal sheets punched with holes, each hole representing a specific screen size measured in 64ths of an inch. This process is called screen sizing, and it is an industry standard for measuring coffee bean size.
The size of the coffee beans can affect the quality and flavor of the final cup of coffee. For example, larger beans are generally considered to have a better flavor profile than smaller beans, as they tend to have a more complex and balanced taste. Additionally, larger beans are often more consistent in size and shape, which can help to ensure more consistent roasting and brewing.
Screen size can also be used to categorize coffee beans into different grades or classifications. For example, larger beans with a screen size of 18/64 or above are often classified as specialty grade, while smaller beans with a screen size of 14/64 or below may be classified as off-grade or commercial grade.
In summary, screen size is an important factor to consider in coffee cultivation and processing, as it can impact the quality and flavor of the final cup of coffee, as well as the grading and classification of the beans.