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What is Cup Score? Guide to SCA's points system | Hälla Coffee Roastery
Hälla Kafferosteri |4/06, 2026
Cup Score in specialty coffee: What do the numbers really mean?
Have you noticed that sometimes bags of specialty coffee have a number like "85p" or "88p" on them? It's the coffee world's equivalent of wine's scoring system – a so-called Cup Score .
But who decides the score, how is it done, and what is the difference between a coffee with 82 points and one with 87? At Hälla Kafferosteri, we guide you through the Specialty Coffee Association's (SCA) scoring system and how we use it to find the best beans for your morning brew.
👉 Do you want to drink specialty coffee? Then visit our webshop:
What is a Cup Score?
In short, a Cup Score is a rating of coffee quality, measured on a 100-point scale . The system is globally standardized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) .
For a coffee to be called specialty coffee at all, it must achieve a minimum score of 80. Anything below that is classified as commercial coffee.
The scale in practice:
80.0 – 84.99: Very good coffee (Classified as "Very Good" – often the base of good specialty coffees or full-bodied blends).
85.0 – 89.99: Excellent coffee ("Exemplary" – here you will find fantastic single origins with clear character, complexity and exciting flavor notes).
90.0 – 100.0: Rare top class ("Outstanding" – extremely unusual lots, often unique varieties or experimental processes that win awards).
Worth knowing: The scale is not linear. Going from 82 to 83 points is relatively easy, but climbing from 87 to 88 points requires a huge difference in quality, craftsmanship, and sheer defect-freeness on the farm. Coffees that reach over 90 points are extremely rare rarities!
How is an assessment done? (From Cupping to CVA)
Traditionally, certified coffee judges (known as Q-Graders ) have assessed coffee through a strictly controlled tasting process called cupping . They grind the coffee coarsely, pour in 93-degree water, let it steep for exactly 4 minutes, and then evaluate the coffee as it cools by noisily slurping it from a spoon.
SCA has developed this system into something called Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) . This new system divides the assessment into different parts to provide an even fairer and more scientific picture of the coffee:
Descriptive: This focuses objectively on what the coffee tastes like. What aromas are there? Is the acidity high or low? How does the texture (body) feel in the mouth?
Affective: This is where the actual Cup Score is calculated. Judges evaluate how well the coffee’s unique attributes perform and whether the cup is completely free of defects.
During a cupping session, several fixed characteristics are assessed:
Fragrance/Aroma: How the coffee smells both as dry ground and when it has met the hot water.
Flavor & Aftertaste: The actual taste experience and how long the pleasant flavors linger afterwards.
Acidity & Body: The freshness/acidity of the coffee as well as its texture and fullness.
Balance: How well all components harmonize with each other.
Why does Cup Score matter to you as a coffee drinker?
For us at Hälla Kafferosteri, Cup Score is an invaluable tool when we purchase green coffee. It acts as a quality guarantee. But for you as a customer, it is above all a compass for finding your way in the jungle of flavors:
It guarantees traceability and craftsmanship: A coffee over 80 points means that the berry pickers, farmers and washing stations have done a thorough job of sorting out defective and unripe berries.
It helps you find your style: Do you prefer a round, chocolatey and safe coffee that is perfect for breakfast? Then a coffee around 83–85 points is often perfect. Are you looking for a fruity, floral and complex experience that challenges your taste buds? Then you should look for coffee that reaches 86–89 points.
Taste is always personal
While Cup Score is a great system for measuring technical quality, the most important metric is ultimately your own taste . A coffee with an 88-point rating, with a high, tart citrus character, is not necessarily "better" than a round, nutty coffee with an 84-point rating if you personally prefer softer flavors.
Our job at the roastery is to take these scored beans and roast them so that their absolute best qualities are highlighted in your cup – regardless of whether the number on the bag is 83 or 88.
Which score level suits your taste buds best?
👉 Do you want to drink specialty coffee? Then visit our webshop:
Have a nice day!
/ Kaj and Dan, Hälla Coffee Roastery