The Specialty Coffee Association takes over the Q Grader Program from Coffee Quality Institute
April 26 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) are two cornerstone organizations in the global coffee industry. The SCA, a nonprofit established in 2017 through the merger of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe, champions sustainability, education, and innovation to elevate specialty coffee standards. The CQI, founded in 1996, focuses on improving coffee quality and livelihoods through initiatives like the Q Grader Program, which has certified over 15,000 professionals worldwide since its inception in 2003.
In a landmark collaboration, the SCA and CQI announced a transformative partnership to modernize coffee education and quality assessment. Central to this alliance is the evolution of the Q Grader Program, a globally recognized certification for coffee cuppers. Effective October 1, 2025, the SCA will assume management of the program, transitioning it to the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), a holistic evaluation framework introduced by the SCA in 2023. This shift marks the end of CQI’s operational role in the Q Grader Program, aligning it with contemporary industry needs.
The CVA redefines coffee evaluation by expanding beyond traditional flavor metrics to encompass sustainability, traceability, processing methods, and socio-economic impact. This innovative system acknowledges that a coffee’s "value" is multidimensional, integrating sensory excellence with ethical and environmental considerations. By embedding the CVA into the Q Grader curriculum, the SCA aims to equip professionals with tools to assess coffee through a 21st-century lens, fostering transparency and equity across the supply chain.
Evolved Q Grader Program: Key Features:
1. Globally Recognized Qualification: The revamped Q Grader license will certify professionals in applying the CVA framework, enabling them to articulate quality and value with unprecedented depth.
2. Inclusive Transition Pathways:
- Current Q Graders (Arabica/Robusta), instructors, and SCA Sensory Skills Certificate holders can fast-track their certification by completing the CVA for Cuppers course by December 31, 2025.
- Lapsed Q Graders regain certification through streamlined reactivation, ensuring continuity and minimizing disruption.
3. Comprehensive Curriculum: Participants will master advanced sensory evaluation, green coffee defect identification, and quality control, supported by research-driven methodologies.
Yannis Apostolopoulos, SCA CEO
Yannis Apostolopoulos, SCA CEO, emphasizes, “This partnership underscores our mission to Make Coffee Better. The CVA-based Q Grader license will set a new benchmark, empowering professionals to drive progress through a holistic understanding of value.”
Michael Sheridan, CQI CEO, reflects, “We take pride in the Q Program’s legacy and are excited to collaborate with SCA to ensure it meets today’s dynamic industry demands.”