What is it?
The SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) Quality Score is a standardized rating system used to evaluate the quality of coffee. The score is based on a scale of 0 to 100 and is determined by a trained panel of professional coffee tasters, or “Q Graders”.
The SCAA Quality Score takes into account a variety of factors that can affect the quality of coffee, including aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Coffees that score 80 or above are generally considered to be of specialty grade, indicating that they possess unique and desirable characteristics that set them apart from average or commercial-grade coffee.
The SCAA Quality Score is an important tool for coffee growers, roasters, and buyers, as it helps to establish a shared language for describing and evaluating coffee quality. It also allows for greater transparency and consistency in the coffee supply chain, as buyers can use the score to ensure that they are getting the quality of coffee they are paying for.
Overall, the SCAA Quality Score has played a significant role in elevating the quality of coffee around the world and has helped to establish the specialty coffee industry as a legitimate and respected field.
Who is the SCAA?
The SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) is a non-profit organization that represents the specialty coffee industry in the United States. It was founded in 1982 as a way to promote the awareness and appreciation of specialty coffee, and to support the professionals who work in the industry.
Today, the SCAA is also known as the Specialty Coffee Association (or SCA) and is a global organization with members from over 100 countries. In addition to promoting specialty coffee, the SCA provides education and training programs, hosts events and conferences, conducts research, and advocates for the interests of its members.
The SCAA is divided into several different councils, each representing a different segment of the specialty coffee industry. These include the Barista Guild, the Roasters Guild, the Coffee Science Foundation, and the Sustainability Council, among others. Each council works to advance the interests of its members and to promote the sustainable growth of the specialty coffee industry as a whole.
The SCAA has played a significant role in promoting the quality and sustainability of specialty coffee around the world, and has helped to establish the industry as a respected and legitimate field.
Where does the quality score come from and why is it important?
The SCAA Quality Score was developed as a standardised rating system to evaluate and measure the quality of specialty coffee. It was first introduced in the 1990s as a way to provide a common language for describing and evaluating coffee quality among industry professionals.
The Quality Score is determined by a panel of professional coffee tasters, or “Q Graders,” who are trained and certified by the SCAA. These Q Graders evaluate coffees based on a set of established criteria, which includes factors such as aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Each coffee is given a score on a scale of 0 to 100, with scores of 80 or above considered to be of specialty grade.
The SCAA Quality Score is important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a standardized language and framework for evaluating coffee quality. This allows industry professionals to communicate and compare coffee quality across regions and markets, and helps to ensure that buyers are getting the quality of coffee they are paying for.
Secondly, the Quality Score has helped to promote and elevate the quality of specialty coffee around the world. By recognizing and rewarding high-quality coffee, the SCAA has incentivized growers and roasters to focus on quality and sustainability, which has helped to establish specialty coffee as a respected and legitimate field.
Finally, the Quality Score is important for consumers, as it helps them to make informed choices about the coffee they buy and drink. By understanding the Quality Score, consumers can look for specialty-grade coffee and be confident that they are getting a high-quality product that has been evaluated and recognised by industry professionals.
