Discover the World of Specialty Coffee

Begin your coffee education journey with the SCA-Authorized Introduction to Coffee Course — an immersive, 5-hour online experience that explores how coffee travels from seed to cup. Designed for anyone curious about what makes coffee “specialty,” this course connects you to the people, processes, and science behind every brew.

What You’ll Learn

From global coffee origins to roasting and brewing, you’ll gain a complete overview of the specialty coffee value chain. Through guided discussions and sensory activities, you’ll explore:

• 🌍 Global Coffee Culture — Understand how coffee connects people and traditions worldwide.

• 🌱 From Farm to Cup — Follow the journey through farming, processing, exporting, importing, roasting, and brewing.

• ☕ Sensory Foundations — Learn to taste and describe coffee using the SCA flavor wheel.

• 🔥 Roasting & Freshness — See how roast levels and storage impact flavor and quality.

• 💧 Brewing Basics — Apply proper water ratios, grind sizes, and maintenance for consistent, quality cups.

Course Details

• Duration: 5 hours (online)

• Assessment: 20-question written exam (80% to pass)

• No prior experience required — perfect for beginners, baristas, or anyone starting their SCA Coffee Skills Program journey.

Why Take This Course

This Introduction to Coffee course is an official Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Certified Coffee Skills Program (CSP) module. It’s the ideal foundation before advancing to Sensory, Brewing, Roasting, or Barista Skills modules.

Gain real insight into what defines specialty coffee quality, and begin your path toward professional certification — taught by SCA-certified instructors at the Idaho Coffee Institute.

Home Equipment Needed (all learners)

Based on SCA’s Guidelines for Distance Learning , learners should have access to:

• A manual brewer, French press, or batch brewer to prepare the tasting activities

• Scale for accurate brewing ratios (50–60 g/L)

• Kettle (temperature-controlled preferred)

• Clean cups or cupping bowls for tasting

• Notebook or tasting form for recording observations

• Reliable internet connection and a camera for live instruction sessions

Optional Coffee Samples Kit $25 All samples provided and ground for exercises shipped free to the US. Please allow 7 days for shipping. 

To provide your own coffee for exercises, please prepare to brew the following coffees during the class period: 

Nutty/ Cocoa vs. Floral/Fruity

Arabica vs Robusta

Washed vs Natural Process

Light vs Dark Roast

(These do not all need to be different coffees! For example Fruity and Light Roast can be the same coffee. Nutty and Dark Roast can be the same coffee. )