The short answer: Kenyan coffee grades such as AA, AB and PB describe the size and shape of the bean. They are not a score for how good the coffee tastes.
How Kenyan coffee is graded
After the coffee is washed, dried and hulled, the green beans are sorted by size using a set of screens with holes of different diameters. Beans that stay on a larger screen get a higher size grade. A separate step sorts peaberries, a different kind of bean, into their own grade.
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| AA | The largest standard bean. Usually around screen 18, about 7.2 mm. Sources differ slightly on the exact screen numbers. |
| AB | A blend of A and B sizes, a little smaller than AA. It makes up a large share of Kenya's production. |
| PB | Peaberry. Most cherries hold two flat-sided beans. In a peaberry, only one small, round bean develops. |
| C, TT, T and others | Smaller or lighter beans, and the sorted-out remainder. These grades are less common at specialty roasters. |
Is AA the best Kenyan coffee?
Not automatically. AA tells you the beans are large and even, which helps them roast evenly. It does not tell you how the coffee was grown, how it was processed, or how fresh it is. A well-grown, carefully washed AB can taste better than a poor AA.
What shapes flavor in Kenya is mostly altitude, soil, variety (such as SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 and Batian), careful washed processing, and how recently the coffee was roasted.
What is a peaberry?
A peaberry is a single, rounded bean that forms inside the cherry in place of the usual two flat beans. Peaberries make up only a small share of any harvest. Some people find them a little sweeter and brighter. Because the beans are small and round, they roast evenly and are often sold on their own.
How Kahoa uses the grades
Kahoa's signature blends are made from AA, AB and PB Kenyan coffee in different proportions. We roast each grade separately so every bean reaches the right roast, then blend them. That gives each blend its own character and keeps the cup consistent from bag to bag.
Want to taste how the roast changes Kenyan coffee? Read our Kenyan coffee brew guide, or learn about the regions where Kenya's coffee is grown.
Frequently asked questions
What does AA mean in Kenyan coffee?
AA is the top size grade for Kenyan coffee. It refers to large, even beans that stay on one of the biggest sorting screens, around screen 18 (about 7.2 mm). It describes size, not flavor.
What is the difference between Kenya AA and AB?
AA beans are larger than AB beans. AB is a mix of slightly smaller sizes and is a big part of Kenya's production. Both can be excellent. The cup depends on growing, processing and freshness.
What is Kenya PB coffee?
PB stands for peaberry. It is a single, round bean that forms in the cherry instead of the usual two flat-sided beans. Peaberries are a small share of each harvest.
Does a higher grade mean better tasting coffee?
No. Grading sorts beans by size so they roast evenly. Flavor comes mainly from altitude, soil, variety, washed processing and roast freshness.
Which Kahoa coffee uses AA, AB and PB?
Kahoa's signature blends are built from AA, AB and PB Kenyan coffee in different proportions, with each grade roasted separately and then blended.