SCAE Courses Coming to Beijing CBC in Late 2012

If you're looking to earn official certification in coffee skills—whether in barista techniques, sensory evaluation, green coffee knowledge, or roasting—the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) offers structured, globally recognised training. But finding the right course at the right time isn't always easy. For coffee professionals and enthusiasts in China, a key opportunity arose in late 2012.

From November 28 to December 5, 2012, Beijing's CBC Training Center (run by Zhunkaidefu) hosted four SCAE Coffee Diploma System (CDS) Level 1 courses: Coffee Skills Program modules in Green Coffee, Sensory Skills, Barista Skills, and Roasting. Each course was a beginner-level introduction to core competencies in specialty coffee.

What Were the SCAE Level 1 Courses Offered?

The four courses scheduled were part of SCAE’s internationally recognised Coffee Diploma System. They included:

• CDS Coffee Green Bean Course – Level 1
• CDS Coffee Sensory Skills Course – Level 1
• BARISTA Course – Level 1
• CDS Coffee Roasting Course – Level 1

All were Level 1 classes, intended as entry points for those new to structured coffee education within the SCAE framework.

Where and When Did These Courses Take Place?

The courses were held at CBC Training Center in Beijing, a well-known specialty coffee education provider operated by Zhunkaidefu. The full schedule ran for eight consecutive days, from Wednesday, November 28, 2012, through Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

Why Take an SCAE Level 1 Course?

SCAE’s Coffee Skills Program is designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical skills for anyone working in or entering the specialty coffee industry. Level 1 courses cover essential concepts—such as identifying coffee defects, basic brewing and extraction theory, introductory roasting principles, and core barista techniques like dose, grind, and espresso extraction. Completing these courses earns you recognised certification, a valuable step for career development or personal education in coffee.

What Is the Coffee Diploma System (CDS)?

The CDS, or Coffee Diploma System, is the educational pathway established by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE), now part of the global Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). It is organised into modular courses across several disciplines: Green Coffee, Sensory Skills, Roasting, Brewing, and Barista Skills. Each module has multiple levels (Foundation/Level 1, Intermediate/Level 2, and Professional/Level 3), allowing learners to build expertise progressively. Level 1 represents the introductory tier for each discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the SCAE courses take place in Beijing in 2012?

The SCAE Level 1 courses were held at CBC Training Center in Beijing from November 28 to December 5, 2012. The event spanned eight days, accommodating four separate modules.

What SCAE courses were available in Beijing in late 2012?

Four Level 1 courses were offered: CDS Coffee Green Bean (Level 1), CDS Coffee Sensory Skills (Level 1), BARISTA (Level 1), and CDS Coffee Roasting (Level 1). All were part of the SCAE Coffee Diploma System.

Where were the 2012 SCAE Level 1 coffee courses held?

The courses took place at CBC Training Center in Beijing, operated by Zhunkaidefu, a notable provider of specialty coffee education in China.

Are SCAE Level 1 certifications recognised internationally?

Yes. SCAE (now part of the SCA) Level 1 certifications are internationally recognised qualifications within the specialty coffee industry, providing foundational credentials for careers in coffee.

What is the Coffee Diploma System (CDS) by SCAE?

The CDS is SCAE’s structured education path, organising coffee knowledge into modules such as Green Coffee, Roasting, Sensory Skills, and Barista Skills, each with multiple skill levels. Level 1 is the entry-level certification for each.