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Learn the basics of the universe of coffee!

Learn the basics of the universe of coffee!

Learn the basics of the universe of coffee!

What’s happening?!?

There are two exceptional events taking place at Alice Good Specialty Coffee in Verona, WI at the beginning of December 2022. Yes, you heard right, training to Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards is coming to you! Learn the basics of the universe of coffee, jumpstart your barista chops or perfect your pourover game – or all three! – without going all the way to Chicago or New York. Also, the next rotation of our single origin line Condor is taking flight. Taste a few delicious coffees and help us choose among them for our seasonal coffee offering arriving in December, and take a bag with you while supplies last!

Specialty Coffee Week

Every year, more than 40,000 learners choose SCA courses to further their coffee careers. SCA certificate programs, known throughout the industry as job relevant, internationally recognized, and accessible, are the top-choice of coffee professionals. View more about SCA Education.

Specialty Coffee Week

What’s happening?!?

There are two exceptional events taking place at Alice Good Specialty Coffee in Verona, WI at the beginning of December 2022. Yes, you heard right, training to Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards is coming to you! Learn the basics of the universe of coffee, jumpstart your barista chops or perfect your pourover game – or all three! – without going all the way to Chicago or New York. Also, the next rotation of our single origin line Condor is taking flight. Taste a few delicious coffees and help us choose among them for our seasonal coffee offering arriving in December, and take a bag with you while supplies last!

Every year, more than 40,000 learners choose SCA courses to further their coffee careers. SCA certificate programs, known throughout the industry as job relevant, internationally recognized, and accessible, are the top-choice of coffee professionals. View more about SCA Education.

SCA’s internationally recognized certificate programs are designed to help learners demonstrate the real-world knowledge and practical skills relevant for a successful career in specialty coffee.

The Coffee Skills Program (CSP) is given throughout the world by authorized instructors (ASTs) and provides training in all stages of your career in coffee.

SCA’s internationally recognized certificate programs are designed to help learners demonstrate the real-world knowledge and practical skills relevant for a successful career in specialty coffee.

The Coffee Skills Program (CSP) is given throughout the world by authorized instructors (ASTs) and provides training in all stages of your career in coffee.

The Coffee Skills Program consists of five different modules and one introductory course. The five specialist modules are Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting and Sensory Skills. These are offered at three different course levels. Introduction To Coffee is a popular, standalone course that familiarizes participants with specialty coffee and the broad topics that can be explored within the specialist modules.

In addition to the certificate earned by successfully completing a course, learners can also achieve the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma. Each CSP course has a level-based point value. Once a learner has achieved 100 points within the CSP program, they are eligible to apply for the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma.

Course Offering 2022
Course Offering 2022

The Coffee Skills Program consists of five different modules and one introductory course. The five specialist modules are Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting and Sensory Skills. These are offered at three different course levels. Introduction To Coffee is a popular, standalone course that familiarizes participants with specialty coffee and the broad topics that can be explored within the specialist modules.

In addition to the certificate earned by successfully completing a course, learners can also achieve the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma. Each CSP course has a level-based point value. Once a learner has achieved 100 points within the CSP program, they are eligible to apply for the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma.

The Coffee Skills Program consists of five different modules and one introductory course. The five specialist modules are Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting and Sensory Skills. These are offered at three different course levels. Introduction To Coffee is a popular, standalone course that familiarizes participants with specialty coffee and the broad topics that can be explored within the specialist modules.

In addition to the certificate earned by successfully completing a course, learners can also achieve the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma. Each CSP course has a level-based point value. Once a learner has achieved 100 points within the CSP program, they are eligible to apply for the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma.

Introduction to Coffee

A1. INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE

The Introduction to Coffee course is ideal for anyone who is new to specialty coffee. It charts coffee’s journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity that it is today. This course gives a general overview of the specialty coffee supply chain and explores topics such as history and cultivation, variables that affect coffee quality, basics of sensory analysis, fundamentals of roasting, factors of coffee freshness, and principles of brewing. In addition, learners will discuss the importance of water quality, cleanliness and maintenance. This interactive course also includes a cupping, an industry-specific process for evaluating coffee through a sensory experience. There is an online written exam administered upon the completion of the course.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: None
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 4 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%
Introduction to Coffee

A1. INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE

The Introduction to Coffee course is ideal for anyone who is new to specialty coffee. It charts coffee’s journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity that it is today. This course gives a general overview of the specialty coffee supply chain and explores topics such as history and cultivation, variables that affect coffee quality, basics of sensory analysis, fundamentals of roasting, factors of coffee freshness, and principles of brewing. In addition, learners will discuss the importance of water quality, cleanliness and maintenance. This interactive course also includes a cupping, an industry-specific process for evaluating coffee through a sensory experience. There is an online written exam administered upon the completion of the course.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: None
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 4 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%

Origins and Supply Chain

    • Origins of Coffee

    • Coffee's Growing Regions

    • Coffee's Journey from Farm To Cup

    • The Current Coffee Industry - Producers & Consumers

    • Coffee as a Plant, Fruit and Seed

    • Most Common Coffee Species

    • General Differences in Coffee Species

    • Common Varieties of Coffee Species

    • Quality - What is Specialty Coffee?

    • Harvesting and Processing

Coffee Roasting and Storage

    • Basics of Roasting Process

    • Importance and Strategies for Prolonging Freshness

Sensory Experience

    • The Humans Senses

    • Taste Recognition and Flavor Perception

    • Sensory Experience Influenced by Origin and Terroir, Species, Processing, and Roasting

Brewing

    • Common Brewing Methods

    • Brewing and Extraction Principles

    • Sensory Impact of Extraction

    • Introduction to Cupping

Impact of Water Quality and Temperature

Cleaning and Maintenance

Barista Skills

A2. BARISTA SKILLS FOUNDATIONS

The Barista Skills Foundation course allows learners to gain an introductory understanding of the coffee itself as well as foundational skills required to set a grinder, make espressos, foam and texture milk and latte art techniques as per SCA quality standards, while implementing health and safety practices and customer service. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to conduct key foundational tasks of a barista. A written exam tests theoretical knowledge based on Foundation course learning objectives.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Coffee
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 7 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%
Barista Skills

A2. BARISTA SKILLS FOUNDATIONS

The Barista Skills Foundation course allows learners to gain an introductory understanding of the coffee itself as well as foundational skills required to set a grinder, make espressos, foam and texture milk and latte art techniques as per SCA quality standards, while implementing health and safety practices and customer service. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to conduct key foundational tasks of a barista. A written exam tests theoretical knowledge based on Foundation course learning objectives.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Coffee
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 7 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%

Coffee Beans

    • Differences between Arabica and Robusta

    • Species

    • Importance of Coffee Freshness

    • Influence of Roast Degree on Taste

Workspace Management and Workflow

    • Grinders and Espresso Machine Components

    • Safe Use of Grinder and Machine

    • Clean and Organized Workspace

Espresso Process

    • Espresso Recipes

    • Grinder Calibration and Dosing

    • Distribution and Tamping Techniques

Extraction and Brewing

    • What is Espresso

    • Barista Routine

Espresso Sensory Analysis

    • Espresso Extraction and Descriptors

Milk

    • Freshness

    • Foaming and Temperature of Steamed Milk

Espresso Based Menu

    • Drink Components and Construction

Cleaning, Health and Safety

    • Safe and Hygienic Work Practices

    • Cleaning of Equipment

Water Quality

    • Impact on Brew Quality and Machine Function

Customer Service and Café Management

    • The Customer Experience

Brewing Foundation

A3. BREWING FOUNDATIONS

The Brewing Foundation course introduces the learner to the different methods of brewing coffee. The learner will receive theoretical and practical hands-on instruction for a range of devices including automatic and manual gravity brewers, as well as other commonly used brewers within their local culture. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to produce a tasty brew based on an understanding of the essential brewing elements and an analysis of their brew results. A written exam tests theoretical knowledge based on Foundation course learning objectives.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Coffee
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 7 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%
Brewing Foundation

A3. BREWING FOUNDATIONS

The Brewing Foundation course introduces the learner to the different methods of brewing coffee. The learner will receive theoretical and practical hands-on instruction for a range of devices including automatic and manual gravity brewers, as well as other commonly used brewers within their local culture. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to produce a tasty brew based on an understanding of the essential brewing elements and an analysis of their brew results. A written exam tests theoretical knowledge based on Foundation course learning objectives.

  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Coffee
  • Delivery Method: In-person
  • Minimum Length: 7 hrs
  • Required Exams | Passing Scores: Written exam | 60%

Botany

    • Common Varieties of Coffee Species

    • The Global Spread of Coffee

    • Climate Considerations for Coffee Species

    • Physical Differences in Coffee Species

World Production

    • Distribution of Species

    • Origin Statistics

Coffee Farming

    • Land and Plant Management Overview

Post-harvest Processing

    • Coffee Cherry Anatomy

    • Harvesting Practices

    • Washed Processing

    • Natural Processing

    • Pulped-Natural Processing

    • Drying

    • Milling

    • Grading

Markets

    • Introduction to Futures Markets

    • Introduction to Coffee Futures Market

Storage and Transport

    • Common Transport Systems

    • Storage Time & Conditions

Certification

    • Market Differentiation

    • Third-Party Accreditation

Decaffeination

    • Characteristios of Decaffeinated Coffee

    • Characteristics of Caffeine

Equipment And Maintenance

    • Sizing/Grading Screens

    • Moisture Meters

Schedule 2022

Cost

Duration: 4 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 79

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 100

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

(1) SCA Cost Certification - Foundation $84 USD
(1) Taxes 5.5%

Schedule 2022

Cost

Duration: 4 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 79

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 100

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

(1) SCA Cost Certification - Foundation $84 USD
(1) Taxes 5.5%

Cost

Duration: 4 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 79

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 100

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

Duration: 7 hours

Before Nov 15 (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 159

Full Cost (w/out SCA Fee and taxes) (1): 200

(1) SCA Cost Certification - Foundation $84 USD
(1) Taxes 5.5%

The next rotation of our single origin line Condor is taking flight. Enjoy the coffee tasting experience, help us choose among a few options for our seasonal coffee offering arriving in December and take a bag of coffee with you!

Course Offering 2022
-------------------------------- Course Offering 2022

The next rotation of our single origin line Condor is taking flight. Enjoy the coffee tasting experience, help us choose among a few options for our seasonal coffee offering arriving in December and take a bag of coffee with you!

The next rotation of our single origin line Condor is taking flight. Enjoy the coffee tasting experience, help us choose among a few options for our seasonal coffee offering arriving in December and take a bag of coffee with you!