Coffee as a commodity item is traded in the form of coffee beans. It is in fact the second largest traded commodity in the world after crude oil. The berries of the coffee plant, both Arabica and Robusta are harvested and subjected to on-farm processing to extract the bean in its raw form. Based on the type of on-farm processing ( sun-drying or pulping cum washing method) , four types of raw coffee beans are traded in the market:

• Washed Arabica ( commercially known as Plantation)
• Unwashed Arabica (commercially known as Arabica Cherry)
• Washed Robusta (commercially known as Robusta Parchment)
• Unwashed Robusta (commercially known as Robusta Cherry)

Raw coffee beans undergo curing process and are graded based on size of beans, type of defect and % defect imperfection better known as grades of coffee.