{"id":58120,"date":"2026-07-09T08:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T06:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/blog\/what-does-it-say-on-my-coffee-bag\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:24:35","slug":"what-does-it-say-on-my-coffee-bag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/blog\/what-does-it-say-on-my-coffee-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"What does it say on my coffee bag?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you pick up a bag of specialty coffee, you\u2019ll often see much more information than on a typical package of supermarket filter coffee. Country of origin, region, variety, processing method, roast date, tasting notes, brewing recommendations: sometimes a coffee package almost looks like a passport. But what use is all that to you as a coffee drinker?  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, Richard Schukkink of <a href=\"https:\/\/itcacademy.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ITC Academy<\/a> explains, step by step, what information you might find on a coffee bag. Not to make coffee more complicated, but rather to help you better understand which coffee suits your taste and brewing method. <\/p>\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: false, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-1&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading koffiezak-toc has-custom-css wp-custom-css-ec4bcba3\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-1\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Table of Contents for the Coffee Bag Dossier<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-1\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/?p=58108\">What does a coffee&#8217;s name actually mean?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/blog\/where-does-my-coffee-come-from\/\">Where does my coffee come from?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/?p=58113\">Arabica, Robusta, variety, and cultivar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Country, region, and subregion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farm, estate, or washing station<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Producer or cooperative<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Altitude at which the coffee was grown<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Processing Method<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fermentation Methods or Special Fermentations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vintage Year and Harvest Season<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lot number or micro-lot designation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Screen size or bean size<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moisture Content and Water Activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Density and physical quality data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Date of Fire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Firing temperature or firing style<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommended method for placing bets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tasting notes or flavor description<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SCA Score and Quality Classifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certifications and seals of approval<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Importer or dealer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Roasting company or roastery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Packaging Information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traceability Information and QR Codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to Interpret the Information on a Coffee Bag<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The front catches your eye<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people choose coffee based on the front of the package. A name, color, image, or recognizable logo often determines which bag is picked off the shelf. That makes sense: the front is designed to stand out.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, most of the information is usually found on the back, the side, or on a card that comes with the coffee. There you\u2019ll find details about the origin, processing, roasting, flavor profile, and sometimes even the producer. It\u2019s precisely that information that helps you better assess what you\u2019re buying.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not all information serves the same purpose<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coffee packaging contains a mix of different types of information. Some details are required by law, such as the weight, the best-by date, and information about the manufacturer or seller. Other information is intended to help you make a choice, such as the recommended brewing method, the roast date, or a description of the flavor.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, there are elements that are primarily associated with a distiller\u2019s brand identity or marketing. These include product names, colors, illustrations, and alcohol content ratings. While these can be useful within a single brand, they are not always objectively comparable to other brands.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So an intensity level of 8 for one roaster doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean the same thing as an intensity level of 8 for another roaster. And gold packaging doesn&#8217;t automatically mean the coffee is better than a bag with a plain white label. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is there more and more on the bag?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past twenty years, the amount of information on coffee packaging has increased significantly. Whereas in the past, packages often featured only terms such as \u201cfilter coffee,\u201d \u201cespresso,\u201d or \u201cquick-filter grind,\u201d many roasters now also list the <a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/blog\/origins\/\">country<\/a>, region, altitude at which the coffee was grown, variety, processing method, and sometimes even the name of the farm, producer, or washing station. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transparency plays a major role, especially in the specialty coffee sector. Roasters want to show where the coffee comes from, how it was processed, and who worked on it. For coffee drinkers, this makes the choice more interesting, but sometimes also more complicated. After all, more information doesn\u2019t automatically mean you\u2019ll immediately understand what\u2019s ending up in your cup.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Origin to Flavor<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some terms on a coffee bag provide information about where the coffee was grown. These include country, region, subregion, farm, or washing station. Other terms refer to the plant itself, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/blog\/the-difference-between-arabica-and-robusta-coffee-beans\/\">Arabica, Robusta<\/a>, Bourbon, Typica, Gesha, or SL28.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/blog\/koffie-verwerkingsmethodes\/\">Processing<\/a> also plays a role. Terms like \u201cwashed,\u201d \u201cnatural,\u201d \u201choney,\u201d and \u201canaerobic\u201d indicate what happened to the coffee cherry after harvest. Next comes the roaster, with decisions regarding roast level, roast date, and brewing recommendations.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of these details are building blocks. Taken separately, they tell only part of the story. Together, they paint a much clearer picture of what you can expect: fresh and floral, round and chocolatey, distinctly fruity, spicy, robust, or, conversely, refined.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flavor notes are not ingredients<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many specialty coffees are described with flavor notes such as citrus, caramel, jasmine, red fruit, or dark chocolate. This does not mean that these ingredients have been added to the coffee. Rather, they are aromas that the taster recognizes in the coffee.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tasting notes are mainly useful for comparing different coffees. Don\u2019t think of them as a guarantee, but rather as a guide. If you frequently <a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/blog\/zo-leer-je-koffie-proeven\/\">taste coffees<\/a> whose packaging mentions blackcurrant, citrus, or floral notes, you\u2019ll naturally discover whether those flavor profiles suit your taste.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learning to Read a Coffee Bag<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The purpose of this article is not to claim that one type of coffee is better than another. A dark espresso blend can have just as many fans as a light-roasted filter coffee. A carefully crafted blend can be just as interesting as a single-origin coffee.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bottom line: you\u2019ll learn how to better interpret the information on a coffee package. What does something really say about the taste? What is mainly a marketing ploy? And which details will help you make a more informed choice next time?   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you learn to read a coffee bag label, you\u2019ll make fewer impulse purchases. You\u2019ll discover more quickly which origin, processing method, brand, and flavor description match your preferences. And yes, that label suddenly becomes a lot more interesting.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the coming period, the chapters will be linked to the in-depth articles one by one.<\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/?p=58108\">What does a coffee&#8217;s name actually mean?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/blog\/where-does-my-coffee-come-from\/\">Where does my coffee come from?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/?p=58113\">Arabica, Robusta, variety, and cultivar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Country, region, and subregion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farm, estate, or washing station<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Producer or cooperative<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Altitude at which the coffee was grown<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Processing Method<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fermentation Methods or Special Fermentations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vintage Year and Harvest Season<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lot number or micro-lot designation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Screen size or bean size<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moisture Content and Water Activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Density and physical quality data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Date of Fire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Firing temperature or firing style<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommended method for placing bets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tasting notes or flavor description<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SCA Score and Quality Classifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certifications and seals of approval<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Importer or dealer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Roasting company or roastery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Packaging Information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traceability Information and QR Codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to Interpret the Information on a Coffee Bag<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this freely accessible guide, you&#8217;ll learn, step by step, what information is listed on a coffee bag and how to use it to make your choice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1458,"featured_media":58121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4698,5222,4713],"tags":[5330,5331,5345,5329,5344,5327,4662,5346,5342,5336],"class_list":["post-58120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coffee","category-coffee-2","category-tutorials","tag-choosing-coffee","tag-coffee-bag","tag-coffee-packaging","tag-itc-academy","tag-processing","tag-richard-schukkink","tag-specialty-coffee","tag-tasting-notes","tag-the-origin-of-coffee","tag-variety"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koffietcacao.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}