We are excited to announce that our first SCAA Cupping Judge Course & Q-Grader Test was a success!

During the first week of December, Coffee Solutions held a 5-day SCAA Cupping Judge course and Q-Grader Test at the Hopedale lab.  Marty Curtis, SCAA Cupping Judge, Licensed Q-Grader and certified course instructor for both the SCAA Cupping Judge Course and certified to administer the Q-Grader Test, led six students through sensory exercises, lectures, and tests.

"Marty's teaching style is approachable, encouraging, and very organized, which made taking this course especially rewarding," said Tracy Allen of Brewed Behavior, a student in the course.  "He understands the complexities of cupping and actually enjoys being challenged by students."  Marty, of Combustion System Sales & Service, Inc. is known throughout the industry for his values of integrity, teamwork, and education to improve the understanding of coffee. 

"I try to set up the right environment to accommodate students who have natural cupping ability as well as those who need to learn it as a more technical skill. I try to teach classes in a way that no one in the class feels like they are in over their heads," says Marty.

These courses and tests, known collectively as "The Q" in the industry, are actually several different combinations of exercises and tests, varied not just in material but delivery.  We often get asked what the difference is between the SCAA Cupping Judge course and the Q-Grader Test.  The difference is that the same material that is covered in 5 days for the SCAA Cupping Judge is taught and then tested but the Q-Grader Test is the test only with no supplemental instruction or exercises. This makes the SCAA Cupping Judge course ideal for most people in the industry whose daily work includes not just cupping but also other responsibilities.  At the end of the SCAA Cupping Judge Course, students whose scores qualify can submit their results to the certifying body to qualify as Q-certified.  There is also an additional written test, after the sensory exercises, that applicants must complete for the Q-Grader license which is administered at the end of our SCAA Cupping Course.  The 5-day format of the SCAA Cupping Judge course gives students time for learning and practicing required skills for sensory exercises with the opportunity to achieve the same certificates and licenses as the 3-day Q-Grader Test, so our SCAA Cupping Judge Course is able to deliver the best of both worlds.

Tracy emphasized, "The most difficult challenge was the rigorous testing that takes place relatively quickly.  The cupping comes fast and furious, day by day, without much room for error and recovery. My suggestion to others is to cup everything you can get your hands on before you attempt this class, often 1 or 2 points means pass or fail."

Marty agrees: "I would recommend that if your ultimate goal is to pass the Q-program, the SCAA Cupping Judge Course is a great way to start, as this will bring you up to speed on how to use the SCAA Cupping form correctly and get comfortable with the protocols, and of course if your score qualifies, you can use your results of the SCAA Cupping Judge course towards your Q-license."

If you're interested in the SCAA Cupping Judge course or Q-Grader Test, our next offering of this SCAA Cupping Judges course and Q-grader Test will be March 23-27.  The cost for this course is $1000 per student and includes lunch all five days.  We offer an early-bird registration discount of $100 to anyone who registers before February 21. The protocols are rigorous for us, too: this course must be for exactly six students, so we invite you to take advantage of the early-bird registration discount and secure your place in the March class.  Registration is secured with a 50% non-refundable deposit.  Please call us at 508-422-9233 or email rob@coffeesolutions.net for more information.