Quality, our focus for your coffee.
Quality plays a big part in our ongoing quest to innovate and promote local terroirs, an effective development tool for producers.
More than just quality control
We place a focus on continuous improvement and are in permanent contact with our partner producers. As a result, we have a better understanding of each step in the quality chain, from bean genetics and sorting to agroforestry and roasting, all fundamental to ensuring you enjoy a quality product.
6 people: agronomists, Q Graders, roasters and baristas
Working in 4 identical laboratories in France, Ethiopia, Colombia and El Salvador
Coordinated action throughout the coffee value chain, with a focus on quality
Analysis at every stage
We analyze every coffee, from the moment it’s harvested through to delivery to your warehouse.
Farm Samples
We take samples before sorting to create lots, prepare contracts and make sorting recommendations
Offer Samples
We create an offer, to introduce new coffees
Pre-Shipment Samples
We prepare samples representative of the final lot, for coffee import approval
Arrival Samples
We analyze coffee samples on their arrival at port, before market release
Stock Control
We carry out quality controls on coffees stored in our warehouses for more than 6 months
Our analysis criteria
We analyze coffee beans at each stage to ensure there are no major defects, prevent external contamination, and guarantee stability over time.
Moisture & density
Moisture content is a measurement of the water present in a green coffee bean. It is expressed as a percentage of total weight. The International Coffee Organization sets bean moisture content standards at between 8% and 12.5%, but Belco sets a limit of 11.5% to ensure better conservation. We assist producers with their drying processes to make this possible.
Water is the main conductor of heat, so a bean’s moisture content also affects roasting. It plays a role in determining the amount of energy needed to trigger the chemical reactions.
Density is a measurement of the weight of a coffee bean proportional to its volume, expressed in g/L. The density of a coffee typically falls between 650 and 800 g/L.
How does density affect roasting? The denser the coffee, the more resistant it is, so the more difficult conduction becomes.
Water activity
Water activity is a common indicator used in food preservation. It is a measurement of the energy of the water and its distribution within a bean. Water in a bean that has been dried correctly is distributed evenly, promising better bean preservation. Water activity ranges from 0.45 to 0.65 Aw.
In terms of roasting, water activity is an important consideration for managing stocks of green coffee and will have an effect on the roasting profile over time.
UV radiation
UV light highlights some fluorescence invisible to the human eye. Fluorescent beans are generally broken beans, with a high water activity and lipid content. UV radiation is a useful decision-making tool, combined with the other lab analyses.
Screen
Screens are used to measure the size of a green coffee bean. At Belco, we use mechanical sieves ranging from 12 to 18 in size. For a coffee to be officially considered a 16+, for example, 90% of the weight of the beans must be situated on a 16 sieve or above. Some countries go by different rules, such as Kenya, where “AA” is equivalent to an 18+ screen.
Screens play an important part in roasting. A more even screen distribution gives roasters more control.
Defect count
At Belco, we use the SCA counting model. We also compile specifications for each coffee and each country. Defects are defined by official bodies. Each country has its own definitions, equivalences and rules.
Some defects affect roasting, others will influence the cup, while some have no impact at all, either during roasting or cupping.
Colorimetry
Colorimetry is used to measure bean colour. We can analyze this data to evaluate bean conformity between two samples and possible changes in colour.
It can be an indicator of how rapidly the colour will change when roasting.
Sample roasts
Our quality team roasts all our samples following a precise roasting protocol. Our aim is to unlock a coffee’s full potential in a “medium” roast. We can use this process to assess each coffee’s aromatic profile and assign an SCA score.
Cupping
The tasting method used worldwide to analyze a coffee is known as “cupping”. It follows a strict protocol that controls coffee grind parameters, water temperature and quality, the water/coffee ratio and the infusion time. We evaluate 10 cupping attributes to give the coffee a qualitative score out of 100 and determine its aromatic profile.
We have a panel of Belco tasters that includes at least one Q Grader. They taste each coffee in 5 cups in accordance with the SCA protocol.
Beyond organic
Every year since 2018, Belco has increased the volume share of organic coffees made available to customers by 15%. More than just a trend, organic farming is a sustainable means of production that addresses today’s environmental concerns.
We analyze all our organic coffees in search of pesticide residues, to provide products in line with our vision of organic farming. Belco is committed to stocking products that meet its own specifications, which are even more stringent than European standards.
Support & training for producers at origin
A genuine connection, from the ground up
Our quality team works hand in hand with producers to guarantee and improve quality, including after picking, to help create lots and to research and innovate different processes, with a particular focus on sorting.
Our teams on the ground provide year-round training for producers on the different quality approaches used in our industry.
They hold workshops for farmers at various stages of harvesting and through to cupping, to help them unlock the full potential of their coffees.
Focus on post-harvest processes
We work with producers to explore new organoleptic profiles, to create new coffees using innovative drying and fermentation techniques.
Producer kits
Training in bean analysis
We offer producers a kit containing scientific toolsand a guide, to encourage them to improve qualityvia good processing techniques, giving them the opportunity to control and understand their coffees better.With the right tools, it becomes easier to improve qualityand consistency. The kit includes a moisture meter, thermometer, refractometer and pH tester.
Roasting analysis, at your service
Our quality team is on hand to address all your roasting needs. Our laboratory at Mérignac is fully equipped to analyze roast quality. You will be welcomed by our roaster, Denis, manager of our School of Coffee and a recently qualified Q Grader. He offers a range of customizable training courses.
More about our commitments
How we source your coffees
Active, customized sourcing on the ground.
Supply
Transport by sail, warehouses... it’s all here!