Coffee Glossary · Trade
Crop Year / Fresh Crop / Past Crop
Coffee's vintage system: each origin's harvest defines its crop year (Laos: roughly October–September), and lots are 'fresh crop' on arrival, aging toward 'past crop' as the next harvest lands. Well-stored coffee holds quality for a year or more, but acidity and aromatics fade measurably with age — 'past-crop' flavor is papery and flat — so contracts state crop year and buyers discount older stock. Counter-seasonal origins (Laos ships fresh April–September, opposite Central America) let roasters keep fresh arrivals year-round.
Related terms
Spot vs Forward Contracts
The trade's two buying modes: spot coffee sits landed in a destination warehouse, available immediately —…
Moisture Content
The percentage of water in green coffee — the most fundamental export specification. The safe band is 10–12%:…
GrainPro / Hermetic Liners
Multi-layer plastic liner bags placed inside jute sacks to seal green coffee from oxygen and moisture — the…
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The ocean shipment's master document, issued by the carrier: simultaneously a receipt for the cargo, evidence…
Cash Against Documents (CAD)
A documentary collection payment method lighter than a letter of credit: the exporter ships, then routes the…
Cup of Excellence (CoE)
The most prestigious origin-country coffee competition: national juries winnow hundreds of farm entries…
Reading up before buying? Volcana Coffee exports SGS-inspected specialty Arabica and Fine Robusta from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos — and we're happy to walk new importers through every term on a real offer sheet.
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