The Q Grader qualification is currently the most internationally recognized diploma a person working in the Coffee industry can apply for. This title is a certification granted by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). Coffee Quality Institute (CQI)to those who pass an exam with 19 tests in 9 modules that include cuppings with SCA protocols, triangulations, green coffee and roast classification, organic acid tests and aroma tests.
The importance of this certificate lies in the fact that it allows the cupper to be able to evaluate coffees universally in a standardized manner according to the Specialty Coffee Association. Having Q Grader personnel within a company or organization adds value to the entire production process, from the seed to the cup, seeking optimum quality and professionalizing the coffee tasters so that they can evaluate and qualify the coffee.
The three most important and well-known Q grader programs are the following:
Q Grader trainings are conducted in centers that are certified as SCA Premier Campus by the Specialty Coffee Association and that guarantee that the center where the training takes place meets the organization’s quality standards and is conducted by a Q Grader Instructor.
Currently, according to the Coffee Quality Institute, there are more than 6,300 Arabica Grader Q professionals who year after year “calibrate” their way of judging coffee to speak the same language when it comes to cupping.
At Mare Terras Coffee Institute we offer training courses related to various aspects of specialty Coffee, where you can learn everything related to this wonderful world. The next Q Grader certification course to be held at Mare Terras Coffee Institute is the following:
This course combines training and testing to reinforce students’ understanding of the Arabica Q grading process while measuring their ability to evaluate Arabica coffee according to established Arabica Specialty standards..
Patricia Carranco
Mare Terra Coffee
“PRODUCT & EVENTS COORDINATOR JR”.