SCAE China Certified Trainers & COE Examiners Explained

If you’ve ever wondered who evaluates baristas and roasters in China’s specialty coffee scene—or who oversees elite competitions like the Cup of Excellence—you’re not alone. The Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE, now part of SCA) appointed official trainers and certification examiners across China to uphold global standards. But who are they, and what exactly are their areas of expertise?

In short, five certified professionals in China hold SCAE Instructor and AST (Authorised SCA Trainer) statuses, along with authorization to evaluate and certify candidates in COE (Cup of Excellence) programs. These experts cover all major competencies: green coffee, brewing, roasting, sensory skills, and barista techniques. Their skill levels range from two to five stars across disciplines, reflecting deep or specialised knowledge.

What Is COE and Why It Matters

The Cup of Excellence (COE) is the world’s most prestigious coffee competition and auction platform, organised by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence. It identifies and rewards top-quality lots from dedicated smallholder farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices through transparent, international bidding. COE is widely recognised as the gold standard in promoting exceptional single-origin coffees and ethical trade practices globally.

Who Are the Certified SCAE Trainers & COE Examiners in China?

Here are the five officially authorised SCAE China-based instructors and COE evaluators, listed with their location, skill categories, and expertise rating (rated on a 1–5 star SCA system):

Each trainer holds certification to instruct and examine in multiple disciplines. Star ratings reflect proficiency: more stars indicate deeper or more specialised knowledge, up to the expert level (5 stars).

Skills Breakdown: What Each Expert Covers

The five SCAE-authorised professionals in China are evaluated across these core competencies:

• Green Coffee : Understanding origin, processing, quality assessment, and grading.
• Sensory Skills : Identifying flavour attributes, cupping, and evaluating coffee profiles.
• Grinding : Selecting and adjusting grind size for brewing or roasting contexts.
• Extraction : Controlling brew variables for optimal flavour, including time, temperature, and turbulence.
• Roasting : Managing roast profiles to highlight origin character and develop sweetness, body, and acidity.
• Barista Techniques : Brewing espresso, milk drinks, and manual methods to standard.
• AST (Authorised SCA Trainer): Certified to teach and assess SCA modules.
• Examiner : Qualified to evaluate candidates in certification exams, including COE-related assessments.

Notably, FangPingLi demonstrates top-tier expertise (5 stars) in roasting and sensory evaluation, while also scoring highly in extraction and barista skills. Kino stands out for advanced grinding knowledge (3 stars), and Fesson shows strength in both sensory and roasting. Wang Wei and Zhu Kaiwen provide broad coverage at solid intermediate levels across most categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SCAE and how is it related to SCA?

The Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) merged with the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) in 2017 to form the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). In legacy materials and some regions, SCAE is still used to refer to the European branch. The certifications and trainer designations mentioned here originated under the SCAE system but are now part of the unified SCA credentialing framework.

What does an SCAE AST do?

An Authorised SCA Trainer (AST) is certified to teach official SCA modules and prepare students for SCA certification exams. ASTs must maintain high standards and are authorised by the SCA to deliver curriculum across coffee disciplines such as brewing, roasting, sensory, and barista skills.

What is a COE examiner?

A COE examiner is a trained and authorised professional who evaluates coffee submissions in the Cup of Excellence competition. They assess brewed samples blindly, scoring them on flavour, aroma, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, and overall cup quality. High-scoring lots are auctioned to support the producing farmers.

Which SCAE trainer in China has the highest expertise in roasting?

FangPingLi, based in Guangzhou, holds the highest rating (5 stars) in roasting among the certified SCAE trainers in China, indicating expert-level knowledge and experience in developing roast profiles for specialty coffee.

How are SCAE skill levels rated?

SCAE (now SCA) uses a star-based rating system from 1 to 5 stars to indicate a trainer or candidate’s proficiency. One star reflects basic competence, while 5 stars indicate expert-level mastery in a given coffee discipline.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for COE & Roasting Study

For those exploring the roasting and sensory side of specialty coffee—key topics for COE and SCAE training—try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui, known for its complex floral and citrus notes with a juicy body, and Kenya Little Tomato, offering vibrant berries and wine-like acidity. Both beans exemplify the high-quality origins featured in COE competitions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.