What is the value of a Q coffee Certificate?
The Q Certificate signifies that this coffee is among some of the best in the world and can be deemed “specialty” following the standards of SCA. It signifies an independent, third-party evaluation of quality that you can trust.
Who is Coffee Quality Institute (CQI)?
A fully independent US based non-profit organization working internationally to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it. CQI intends to transform the specialty coffee market for the benefit of producers by disseminating and perpetuating a global, common language of coffee
What is an In-Country Partner (ICP)?
In-Country Partners (ICPs) are valued partners for CQI, each with their own specialties and expertise, committed to quality and supporting CQI’s mission. ICPs serve as hubs to evaluate coffee quality. They adhere to strict industry standard protocols for Arabica (specialty) within the Q Coffee System.
What is the Q Coffee System?
CQI’s Q Coffee System helps to separate and identify high quality Arabica and robusta lots.
- In-Country Partners (ICPs) follow CQI’s protocols to uphold integrity in the process from start to finish
- Q Graders conduct a blind evaluation of the coffee sample and submit their scores through ICPs
- Scores are averaged and coffees that meet the standard for green, roasted, and cup quality are issued a Q Certificate. Coffees not meeting Q standards receive a detailed CQI Technical Report.
What is a Q Grader, how to become one?
Coffee professionals who are trained on sensory skills for coffee evaluation.
One has to get training from CQI to become a Q Grader. As of Feb 2023, there are 7000 Q Grader in the world as per CQI data.
Is CQI certificate same with a Q Grader cupping score ?
No. CQI certificate is a globally accepted certificate issued by CQI USA. In order to get a certificate, you need to send green bean samples to an ICP. This ICP sends samples to 4 Q Grader without giving any information about coffee for blind evaluation. Q Graders load their independent scores to the CQI system and CQI USA, after consolidating the scores, issues the certificate directly to the owner of the coffee.