Q Grader course

[NelsonT]

Good Day Gentleman and ladies.

I am looking at doing my Q Grader certification and was wondering what options there are for it. So far all I have found is Coffee Quality Institute, is that the only one or are there others ?

Thanks
Nelson Teskey

[msm]

Hello Nelson,

The Coffee Quality Institute is the issuing agency for all Q Graders.

There are no prerequisite classes or prep courses. While there are certainly exceptions,
it is essentially a testing of one's collective experience in coffee via a series of rigorous
evaluations, which include olfactory and gustatory, general knowledge, green grading,
practicing protocols, and lots and lots of cupping.

The whole process takes place in several consecutive days of lecture and testing.

I recommend finding an instructor, with whom you want to take the test, and going through
some pre Q training. There are several instructors that offer some solid study tools, such as
Andrew Hetzel, Rocky Rhodes, Mane Alves, and really too many to name.

I took the class with Tracy Allen and Jodi Dowell-Wieser. I did a little pre test studying with
Tracy, and he very effectively helped me identify and focus on some weak areas. I had a blast!
I found it to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences to date.

Hope that is helpful.

Good luck!