Do you know what a Q Grader is?

A Q Grader is a cupping expert, someone who is a master at scoring the smell and taste of Arabica coffee. 

You can’t imagine how hard it is to become a certified Q grader via the Coffee Quality Institute: you must pass twenty-two different tests. Yes, 22. These examinations are both theoretical and practical. 

But what are these exams like? Those who want to become Q graders are tested on their ability to accurately and consistently identify quality coffee in all their formats. They even have to pass a blindfolded cupping test!

This is why the title of Q grader is so prestigious: it holds evaluating coffee to international and rigorous standards. Q graders connect coffee lovers worldwide: Q grading, through the highest – universally respected – coffee standards. Let’s us flag the world’s most exquisite coffee, to please the taste buds of educated coffee consumers who settle only for the highest quality coffee. 

But how many Q graders are there worldwide? If you think this is select group, you would be absolutely right. The Q grading certification process pass rate is less than 50% – it’s intense! Globally, there are around 5000 Q graders, 400 in the United States.

If you are a real Coffeeka fan, you would know from our content that Arabica is not the only coffee bean you can get. You remember Robusta coffee? Robusta coffee connoisseurs receive the title of R grader.

To the Q and R graders who love Coffeeka – our massive respect to you all!

‘Marina attending a course with Norberto Vazquez from Ecuador, a certified SCA Q Grader’