Most coffee drinkers are not aware that Europeans drink higher grade coffee than Americans. European grade coffee beans cost more,  but contains half the defects (2% vs. 4%) of American grade beans. A defective bean is off-color, sour, broken or a bad size.

Bad beans burn faster, producing a bitter taste. Coffee connoisseurs agree that European grade coffee has a richer, smoother taste, with no bitter bite. Generally only the better smelling beans are sold to the American market.

There are two main varieties of coffee trees, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are more flavorful and contain less caffeine than Robusta. The best-flavored Arabica beans come from the highest altitudes (3,000 feet up to the frost zone). The Blue Bag Coffee Factory  exports only European grade, organic, high altitude (“altura”), under-shade Arabica beans, grown by indigenous farmers, producing the best cup of coffee around.

Arabica vs Robusta Coffee Beans