Q Grader Coffee Certification Course Opens in Guangzhou March 2024

If you’ve ever wondered how coffee professionals distinguish between a great Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and a decent Brazil Natural—or if you want to work in specialty coffee at an international level—you've likely heard of the Q Grader certification. But how do you get it? And why does it matter?

The Q Grader course—a nine-day intensive including three days of mock practice, three days of instruction, and three days of exams—takes place in Guangzhou March 1–9 at Crema Coffee Lab. Led by veteran instructor Mané Alves, it’s your chance to earn the most globally recognised coffee quality credential.

What Is a Q Grader?

A Q Grader is a certified coffee quality evaluator accredited by CQI (Coffee Quality Institute), a professional body under the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America). This internationally recognised qualification certifies your ability to assess green and roasted coffee using standardised sensory and analytical methods. There are only a few thousand Q Graders worldwide.

Why the Q Grader Credential Matters

Demand for Q Graders has surged with the growth of third-wave coffee. In countries like South Korea, it’s even become a requirement to open a specialty roastery. Major coffee companies hire Q Graders to ensure quality control and secure competitive advantages in green bean sourcing and roast profiling. The certification signals advanced sensory skills and industry expertise.

Course Structure: What You’ll Learn

The Q Grader program consists of a nine-day package: three days of mock exercises, three days of preparatory coursework, and three days of formal examination. The training, led by Mané Alves, blends sensory calibration with in-depth coffee knowledge. The curriculum aligns fully with SCAA standards.

Pre-Course Content Covers:

• Coffee varieties, cultivation, and processing methods
• Green bean grading and defect identification
• Roast sample recognition
• 36 key coffee aromas
• Sensory calibration (taste and smell)
• SCAA cupping protocol
• Triangulation testing
• Organic acid recognition

The Full Q Grader Exam Includes 23 Tests:

• Cupping evaluations across five coffee origins (Brazil, Indonesia, East Africa, Central America, Colombia)
• Triangulation tests for those five regions
• Roasted bean identification
• Green bean grading
• Green and roasted bean matching
• Olfactory sensory tests (coffee aroma kits, scent matching)
• Taste sensitivity tests (sweet, sour, salty intensities)
• Organic acid differentiation
• Coffee industry knowledge written exam

Who Is the Instructor?

Mané Alves brings over 20 years of experience in coffee sensory evaluation. He is the founder of Coffee Lab International (CLI), a Europe- and US-based lab serving major food and beverage companies. Alves has been involved with the Q Grader program since CQI’s founding in 2000, having trained more than half of all certified Q Graders globally. Based in Vermont, he travels extensively to coffee-growing regions to assess harvests and train farmers and professionals. Fluent in five languages, Alves previously worked as a California winemaker before transitioning to coffee in 1991.

About the Organisations

SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America)

SCAA promotes excellence in coffee from seed to cup, establishing quality benchmarks, certifying industry professionals, and supporting education and research. Its certifications, including the Q Grader and barista credentials, are among the most authoritative in the global coffee industry.

Crema Coffee Lab (Guangzhou)

Founded in 2013 as a partnership between Coffee Salon Training Center and Hong Kong’s COFFEE Lab Asia, Crema Coffee Lab is an SCAA-certified training facility. It offers internationally recognised programs such as Q Grader, SCAE, and IIAC courses, aiming to deliver scientific, structured coffee education to China’s growing specialty coffee community.

Logistics & Contact

The course runs March 1–9, 2024, at Crema Coffee Lab (CREMA Coffee Lab (SCAA)), located on the 7th floor of 318 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou. For registration and further details, contact:

• Phone: 13922337263 (Mr. Lin) / 13710253028 (Ms. Chen)
• Email: lab@coffeesalon.com / weixin@coffeesalon.com
• Phone (landline): 86 (20) 3637 8856
• WeChat: coffeesalon2013
• Address: 7F, 318 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Q Grader certification?

A Q Grader certification is an internationally recognised credential issued by CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) that qualifies individuals to professionally evaluate coffee quality through standardised cupping, sensory, and analytical methods. It is considered the gold standard in coffee quality assessment.

Where is the Q Grader course being held in March 2024?

The Q Grader course takes place March 1–9, 2024, at Crema Coffee Lab (CREMA Coffee Lab (SCAA)) in Guangzhou, located at 7F, 318 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou.

Who is the instructor for the Q Grader course?

The course is taught by Mané Alves, a veteran coffee sensory expert with over 20 years of experience and founder of Coffee Lab International. He has trained more than half of the world’s Q Graders since 2000 and works closely with coffee producers and professionals globally.

How many people have earned Q Grader certification?

Only a few thousand people worldwide have earned the Q Grader certification, making it one of the most exclusive and respected credentials in the specialty coffee industry.

What does the Q Grader exam involve?

The Q Grader exam consists of 23 individual tests, including cupping evaluations from five coffee origins, triangulation tests, roast and green bean grading, sensory skill assessments (taste and smell), organic acid identification, and a written coffee knowledge exam.

How long is the Q Grader course?

The full Q Grader course spans nine days, including three days of mock practice, three days of instruction, and three days of examinations, running from March 1–9, 2024.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Cupping & Sensory Training

For Q Grader candidates and serious cuppers, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Huamoka offers vibrant floral and citrus notes with juicy acidity—perfect for honing your sensory skills. Their Panama Geisha showcases classic stone fruit and jasmine complexity, ideal for triangulation practice. Finally, try the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Konga for delicate lemon and berry tones. All three beans highlight distinct origin profiles to refine your palate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.