01
SCA · INTRO-01
Introduction to Coffee
4–6 HRS · MIN 4 LEARNERS
£150
A broad overview of the specialty coffee industry, exploring the journey from farm to cup and how choices at each stage affect flavour. Includes simple tasting exercises across history, science and preparation.
who it’s for
- New coffee professionals and consumers wanting a solid introduction.
- Café staff and retail workers who want to understand industry baselines.
- Anyone wanting a clear look at how coffee is grown and made.
prerequisites
- None. This is the ideal entry point.
What you’ll learn
Specialty Coffee Foundations
- Track the coffee chain - farming, processing, trade, roasting and brewing.
- Learn how the market separates commodity coffee from high-value specialty.
- Explore how flavour profile and farm data add value to a coffee.
History & Sourcing Regions
- Trace Arabica and Robusta back to their roots in Africa.
- Understand how cultivation spread globally via trade and colonial routes.
- Identify top production countries and the climate limits of farming.
Harvesting & Post-Harvest Processing
- Identify farm tasks from plant care to hand-picking and machine harvesting.
- Understand why post-harvest processing prepares seeds for travel and storage.
- Compare natural (fruit-dried) and washed (parchment-dried) flavour profiles.
Roasting Basics & Freshness
- Study the roast cycle from green-bean drying to final cooling.
- Learn the flavour differences between lighter and darker roasts.
- Pinpoint what damages freshness - light, oxygen, heat and moisture.
Sensory Tasting & Preparation
- Discover how the senses build taste, aroma and mouthfeel.
- Review brewing methods - gravity filter, immersion and pressure.
- Learn how grind, temperature and ratio change the cup.
- See how cleaning and maintenance keep drinks consistent.
what’s included
Instructor & live training feesLab & brewing equipment accessSelection of practice tasting flightsCourse handoutsOfficial digital certification (on passing the exam)All registration & exam fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically