The Complete Specialty Coffee Foundation: From Seed to Cup & Cupping Workshop

Join us at the Idaho Coffee Institute in Moscow, Idaho, for a transformative, one-day intensive designed to take you from coffee enthusiast to a skilled taster. This 8-hour combined course provides a deep dive into the world of specialty coffee, merging the global theory of the SCA Introduction to Coffee with the practical, hands-on skills of the SCA Intro to Cupping Workshop. 

Course Overview

Duration: 8 Hours (including a 1-hour lunch break)

Location: Idaho Coffee Institute, Moscow, ID

Experience Level: No prior experience required—perfect for beginners, baristas, or aspiring professionals. 

Morning Session: Introduction to Coffee

The first half of the day explores the specialty coffee value chain and the science behind the brew. You will gain a complete overview of how coffee travels from its origin to your cup.

Global Coffee Culture: Understand the traditions and people that connect the global coffee community.

The Value Chain: Trace the journey through farming, processing, exporting, and roasting.

Brewing Basics: Learn the impact of water ratios, grind sizes, and storage on freshness and quality.

Sensory Foundations: Begin your journey with activites that will give you experience in identifying washed, natural, arabica, robusta, and diverse flavors in coffee. 

Certificate: This session prepares you for the 20-question written exam (80% pass rate required) to earn your official SCA Coffee Skills Program credit.

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Afternoon Session: Intro to Cupping Workshop

In the afternoon, you will step up to the cupping table. This workshop provides the tools to analyze and describe coffee using the same methods as professional coffee buyers. 

Deconstruct Flavor: Learn to define and differentiate between Fragrance (dry grounds), Aroma (wet grounds), Flavor**, and Aftertaste. 

Intensity & Texture: Practice measuring the intensity of Acidity, Sweetness, and Mouthfeel. 

The Descriptive Approach: Use Check All That Apply (CATA) boxes to objectively document coffee attributes without judgment. 

The Affective Approach: Use the Nine-Point Affective Scale to evaluate coffee based on personal preference or specific quality impressions. 

Professional Mechanics: Master the physical skills of cupping, including breaking the crust, skimming, and proper spoon etiquette. 

What You’ll Gain

Hands-on Experience: Multiple guided tastings and two full cupping sessions with a variety of coffee samples.

Expert Guidance: Direct feedback from an SCA-certified instructor on your tasting technique and sensory calibration. 

CVA Protocol Exposure: Learn to use the tools of the modern coffee industry, including simplified versions of the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) forms. 

Professional Foundation: This bundle is the ideal prerequisite before advancing to specialized SCA modules in Sensory, Brewing, Roasting, or Barista Skills.

Enroll now to begin your journey toward professional certification and unlock a deeper appreciation for every cup of coffee.