Cocoa Grading Guide

Cocoa Hub Physical Quality Standard

(CHQS-01 – Cocoa Bean Grading Protocol)
Aligned with ISO 2451, ISO 1114, and ICCO Standard Grade principles.

Grade 1 – Premium Export Grade

Market Position: High-quality export cocoa suitable for premium chocolate manufacturing and speciality blending.

Cut Test Requirements (50 Bean Test – per ISO 1114)

  • Well Fermented (Brown): ≥ 70%
  • Under-Fermented (Purple): ≤ 10%
  • Slaty: ≤ 2%
  • Mouldy: ≤ 1%
  • Insect Damaged: ≤ 2%
  • Germinated: ≤ 1%
  • Total Defects (combined): ≤ 3%

Physical Requirements

  • Moisture Content: 6.5% – 7.5% (Maximum 7.5%)
  • Bean Count per 100g: ≤ 90 (Medium to Large Beans)
  • Foreign Matter: ≤ 0.5%
  • No smoke contamination
  • Clean aroma; moderate acetic acceptable

Commercial Suitability

  • Premium couverture production
  • High cocoa mass chocolate
  • Speciality or fine-flavour blending
  • Low rejection risk in EU/UK market


Grade 2 – Standard Export Grade

Market Position: Good commercial bulk cocoa for standard chocolate production.

Cut Test Requirements

  • Well Fermented: ≥ 60%
  • Under-Fermented (Purple): 10–20%
  • Slaty: ≤ 3%
  • Mouldy: ≤ 2%
  • Insect Damaged: ≤ 3%
  • Total Defects: ≤ 5%

Physical Requirements

  • Moisture: ≤ 7.5%
  • Bean Count per 100g: ≤ 100
  • Foreign Matter: ≤ 1%
  • Clean to slightly acidic aroma
  • No visible mould

Commercial Suitability

  • Bulk chocolate manufacturing
  • Cocoa liquor, butter, and powder processing
  • Suitable for blending into higher grades

 

Grade 3 – Industrial / Fair Grade

Market Position: Acceptable for industrial processing but below premium export quality.

Cut Test Requirements

  • Well Fermented: ≥ 50%
  • Under-Fermented: 20–30%
  • Slaty: ≤ 5%
  • Mouldy: ≤ 3%
  • Insect Damaged: ≤ 5%
  • Total Defects: ≤ 8%

Physical Requirements

  • Moisture: ≤ 8% (borderline export limit)
  • Bean size may be inconsistent
  • Possible elevated acidity
  • Minor smoke traces may be present

Commercial Suitability

  • Industrial processing
  • Blending grade
  • Higher rejection risk in premium contracts

Grade 4 – Substandard / Off-Spec

Market Position: Not suitable for export without reconditioning.

Characteristics

  • Under-Fermented: > 30%
  • Slaty: > 5%
  • Mouldy: > 3%
  • Insect Damaged: > 5%
  • Total Defects: > 8%
  • Moisture: > 8%
  • Strong smoke, mould, or off-odour detected

Commercial Suitability

  • Requires reconditioning
  • Domestic market only
  • High probability of contract rejection