FOR BARISTAS: PRE Q GRADER

The Road to the Q Grader: Essential Preparation for Professionals
In our journey through the fascinating world of coffee, we came across a profession that has been gaining prestige and recognition: the barista Q grader. If you have ever wondered how the quality of a coffee is certified and who is responsible for such a meticulous process, you are in the right place. Barista certification and barista training are crucial stages in the career of those who wish to specialize in this sector. Our objective is to unravel the secrets behind the Q grader courses, those intense trainings that transform coffee enthusiasts into true specialists.

The ability to discern and value every nuance, every aroma, and every taste of coffee is not only for personal enjoyment; it is a professional competence that has a direct impact on the global coffee industry. Dive with us into the exciting discipline of coffee cupping and discover how coffee specialists contribute to the quality of the product we enjoy every day. Are you ready to explore the path to becoming a Q Grader and change your perspective on coffee forever?

The fundamental role of the Q Grader barista in the coffee industry
We understand that the coffee specialist Q grader has become an essential figure in guaranteeing excellence. Their task goes beyond the simple evaluation of coffee; it is a commitment to quality that benefits the entire production chain.

What is a Q Grader and what is their importance in specialty coffee?
A Q Grader is someone who, after intense training and rigorous coffee quality certification, becomes an expert capable of discerning and qualifying the complex characteristics of a specialty coffee. This certification not only validates their knowledge, but also guarantees an objective and precise evaluation, where exceptional coffees that reach or exceed 80 points out of 100 are valued for their unique sensory profiles.

Q Grader certification as an international quality standard
Q Grader certification represents an international standard that harmonizes quality and language around coffee. We, as Q graders, have the duty and skill to accurately identify and communicate what makes each bean special, using a globally respected protocol that continually adapts to new market trends.

The contribution of Q Graders to coffee growing communities
Coffee specialists play a transcendental role in the empowerment of coffee growing communities. We provide them with the tools and knowledge necessary to produce quality coffee that meets the expectations of the international market and, at the same time, increase its economic value and recognition. This work is a cornerstone in the sustainability and future of specialty coffee.

What does it include?

- Explanation of the Q Grader protocol and the 19 tests in which you will be evaluated.

- Cupping skills: you will learn to differentiate coffees according to their origin and process.

- Sensory skills: Intensity and interaction of basic tastes (acid, sweet and salty).

- Olfactory skills: through a kit of aromas, we will teach you to group them into their 4 categories: enzymatic, sweet, dry distillation and defects

- Triangulation: Finding the different coffee within the trio

- Acid tasting

- Quality and defects in green coffee

- Quality and defects in roasted coffee and the types of roasting that exist.

- Dossier with explanations of the tests and practical exercises.

- Presentation made during the course

- Support in any doubt once the course is finished.

- Lunch included


We are waiting for you!


Terms and Conditions

At The Coffee Academy we strive to offer a high quality learning experience to all our students. However, we reserve the right to reschedule the course date or refund the full course fee if the minimum attendance does not exceed 3 attendees. We are committed to your satisfaction and will do our best to accommodate your needs and ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your experience with us.

The Coffee Academy is not responsible for the approval of the Q Grader program, but we do take responsibility that you will be trained to achieve it by the best.


For any additional information or if you want to take this course in a personalized way, you can write to us at [email protected].

Cancellation policy

When you purchase a course your place is automatically reserved, if you do not attend you leave out other people who would have liked to participate, here are the points of our cancellation policy:

- A 50% penalty is charged if the course is cancelled less than 15 days or 48 h before the course takes place, returning only half of the total purchase of the course.

- No money will be refunded if the student does not attend the course or notifies us in less than 48 hours.

- Once the date has been set, no changes can be made, except in case of force majeure (illness or accident).

- If for any reason of force majeure (illness, accidents ...) the student can not attend, you can be assigned a place in the next course, this change will be made only once, the money will not be refunded if the student does not attend the course.

- If you give any of our courses or workshops as a gift, this gift voucher will be valid for 12 months after the date of purchase.

- Our cancellation policy does not apply due to illness or accidents.