El Salvador Coffee Quality Grades
Sources: Colipse Coffee (website)
El Salvador grades green coffee by growing altitude, with higher altitude correlating to denser, more complex beans. Three official grades are used in trade:
| Grade | Full Name | Altitude | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHG | Strictly High Grown | Above 1,200 m | Dense, flavorful beans; highest quality |
| HG | High Grown | 900–1,200 m | Mid-grade |
| CS | Central Standard | Below 900 m | Lowest grade |
Relevance to Kaiserblick
All six Kaiserblick farms are located in Apaneca-Ilamatepec at 1,200–1,800 m, placing every lot squarely in the SHG band. This is a simple, buyer-legible quality signal that can be used in export documentation and marketing materials alongside cupping scores and Denominación de Origen certification.
The SHG designation is common across Central American producing countries (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador). Buyers familiar with Central American specialty coffee will recognize it immediately.