Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Courses

The Introduction to Coffee course is ideal for anyone who is new to specialty coffee. It charts coffee’s journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity that it is today. This course gives a general overview of the specialty coffee supply chain and explores topics such as history and cultivation, variables that affect coffee quality, basics of sensory analysis, fundamentals of roasting, factors of coffee freshness, and principles of brewing. In addition, learners will discuss the importance of water quality, cleanliness and maintenance. This interactive course also includes a cupping, an industry-specific process for evaluating coffee through a sensory experience. There is an online written exam administered upon the completion of the course.

Barista Skills teaches the essentials practical skills needed behind the espresso bar such as how to set your grinder, make espresso, foam and texture milk for cappuccinos and create latte art as well as an exploration of health and safety issues, customer service protocols and basic business practices. It can be studied at three different levels Barista Skills Foundation, Barista Skills Intermediate and Barista Skills Professional

The Brewing courses cover numerous brewing coffee methods as well as the brewing variables that affect quality. Hands on learning is emphasized with a focus on grind profiles, brewing methods, coffee strength measurements, and coffee extraction charting. It can be studied at three different levels Brewing Foundation, Brewing Intermediate and Brewing Professional

Green coffee courses cover concepts and skills relevant to the evaluation, trade and handling of green coffee. Content of these courses include applicable aspects of botany, coffee farming, processing, grading, storage, transport, markets, certifications, contracts and more. It can be studied at three different levels Green Coffee Foundation, Green Coffee Intermediate and Green Coffee Professional

The Roasting modules teaches about the roasting process, including roast cycle, roast levels, identifying defects, the physical changes that beans undergo during the roasting process, as well as workspace management and lean production. It can be studied at three different levels Roasting Foundation, Roasting Intermediate and Roasting Professional

Sensory Skills courses cover concepts and skills relevant to the evaluation of coffee and related products. The content of these interactive courses includes sensory science, industry-specific protocols, common sensory attributes of coffee, physiological sensory training, implementation of sensory programs, consumer testing design, application in business and more. It can be studied at three different levels Sensory Skills Foundation, Sensory Skills Intermediate and Sensory Skills Professional

Water & Preventive Maintenance Foundation introduces learners to water treatment systems and the preventive maintenance of coffee machines. At the end of the course, the learner will be able to identify the typical components, function, impact, and maintenance of common water treatment systems; define key water parameters and quality recommendations; measure water composition; describe the goals of a preventive maintenance program; identify components in a traditional espresso machine, batch brewer, and coffee grinder that require preventive maintenance, and demonstrate maintenance tasks with the appropriate tools and supplies.

Electrical Foundation introduces learners to coffee machine electrical systems and the practical skills required to safely work with electrical equipment. At the end of the course, learners will be able to identify and state the purpose of electrical components found in coffee equipment; describe how various coffee machine electrical circuits operate; describe the fundamental operating characteristics of electricity in its various configurations; describe the dangers associated with interacting with electrical equipment and demonstrate appropriate safety procedures; use electrical testing tools to measure voltage, continuity, and resistance; and properly connect machines to a power supply.

Hydraulics Foundation introduces learners to coffee machine hydraulics and the practical skills required to connect a coffee machine to a water supply. At the end of the course, learners will be able to recognize various hydraulic circuits and components in espresso machines and batch brewers, describe fundamental aspects of hydrodynamics, and utilize various hand tools and plumbing fittings.

Intermediate Diagnostics & Repair builds on the knowledge of coffee equipment parts and proper system function introduced in the Hydraulics Foundation and Electrical Foundation courses. It introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to identify symptoms of common coffee equipment malfunctions, perform simple troubleshooting to diagnose their causes, complete common repairs safely and effectively, and adjust key coffee equipment operating parameters.

Intermediate Water Treatment builds on the knowledge of water chemistry, risks to coffee equipment, and simple treatment methods introduced in the Water & Preventive Maintenance Foundation course. In IWT, learners will deepen their understanding of water treatment system components and processing capacities, principles of limescale buildup and corrosion risk, and system requirements for various coffee equipment types. Hands-on activities include the assembly, installation, adjustment, and maintenance of water treatment systems and the use of various measurement devices and techniques.

Advanced Equipment Support builds on the knowledge of diagnostics, repair, and water treatment systems introduced in the CTechP Intermediate courses to build proficiency in both technical skill and service operations management. In AES, learners synthesize their technical knowledge and experience to create preventive maintenance plans and inventory strategies, provide equipment recommendations to customers, analyse and resolve root causes of equipment malfunction, efficiently navigate complex equipment repairs, refurbish and decommission equipment, and work with common super automatic espresso machine parts and systems.

Coffee Sustainability Foundation is a prerequisite for all other courses in the Coffee Sustainability Program. During this course, learners explore key sustainability models and issues facing the coffee industry. The course examines environmental, economic, and social challenges in the sector, while introducing opportunities and emerging tools to address them. After completing Coffee Sustainability Foundation, learners will have the foundational awareness and mindset needed to start practicing sustainability in their context.

In this course, learners dive more deeply into environmental sustainability in the coffee industry. Course participants examine key concepts and trend in climate-smart agriculture and adaptation, develop their understanding of carbon footprint measurement and mitigation strategies, and explore the interconnections between various environmental factors and the communities depend on those resources.

In this course, learners will develop their understanding of the C market and coffee prices (and the role these play in sustainability initiatives), examine factors that influence costs of production and farm profitability, and discuss strategies for implementing more sustainable economics approaches like alternative trade models and living income.

In this course, learners will examine the shifting landscape of sustainability requirements and legislation, how decision-making occurs and the role of power in various systems, and guidance for reporting on an organization’s sustainability work.