Master the Science of Roasting From Home

Transition from a casual observer to an informed coffee roaster with our SCA Roasting Foundations course. This remote-learning experience is designed for coffee professionals and dedicated enthusiasts who want to master the roasting process, explore physical changes in the bean, and understand how to control flavor profiles by roasting light or dark.

By moving this 7-hour intensive course online, we provide a split-session format (with sessions under 3 hours) to ensure deep learning and valuable interaction.

The Sensory Kit Included

No need to worry about sourcing identical coffees or coordinating calibration metrics. A curated sensory kit is fully included in your course price, shipping directly to your door to keep you calibrated with your Authorized SCA Trainer (AST) in real-time.

Your Kit Includes:

3 Pre-Portioned Specialty Coffees: Coded washed Arabica samples (SHB/SHG type Central American specialty coffee) roasted to distinct development points: a light roast (end of first crack) , a medium roast (midway between cracks) , and a dark roast (into/beyond second crack). All profiles span a 12–15 minute range. 

The Log & Math Suite: Official SCA Profile Log Foundation worksheets and quick-reference formula guides for calculating development time, weight loss, and volume gain.

Curriculum Overview

Roaster Basics & Controlling Heat: Identify key elements of a drum roaster (hopper, drum, probes, afterburner). Learn how airflow and burner types (atmospheric, infrared, electric) impact the roast , and how to manipulate color to maximize acidity or bitterness. 

The Roasting Process & Critical Events: Study physical bean changes from green to yellow, cinnamon, and dark brown. Master the mechanics behind "first crack" (steam pressure) and "second crack" (CO2 release) , and practice industry formulas for volume gain and weight loss. 

Safety, Maintenance & Sensory Analysis: Participate in a guided tasting of your kit samples to analyze roast colors. Learn preventative maintenance checklists and emergency response procedures for hazards like drum fires.

How It Works

Register: Sign up at least 14 days prior to class to allow for kit assembly and shipping.

Join the Live Stream: Log in to interactive sessions via Zoom. You will actively guide your instructor through a live roast to fill out your profile sheets. 

Certification: Submit a photo of your logs for your CSP Course Skills Report. Complete the course to qualify for the online written exam (20 questions, 32 minutes, 60% passing score) and earn your global credentials.

Course Requirements

Student Must Provide: A stable internet connection, a smart device/camera to share your work, a kettle, and an adjustable burr-style coffee grinder. Note: For safety reasons, students will not operate their own roasting equipment during this distance course. 

Prerequisites: None. This course is highly recommended for anyone with less than 1 year of roasting experience before moving to Intermediate.