The SCA Sensory Skills Foundation course introduces students to the essential principles of sensory analysis in coffee. This course helps participants understand how the senses work and how to evaluate coffee using professional tasting methods.

Students will begin developing sensory memory, identifying basic tastes and aromas, and understanding how flavor perception affects coffee quality. The course focuses on building confidence in coffee tasting and introducing standardized cupping practices used in the specialty coffee industry.

In-person • 7 hours

Who Can Join?

• Beginner baristas
• Coffee enthusiasts
• Café staff
• Hospitality professionals
• Anyone new to coffee tasting

What’s in the Program?

• Introduction to sensory science
• Human senses and flavor perception
• Basic tastes and aromas
• Coffee cupping fundamentals
• Introduction to the SCA Flavor Wheel
• Identifying sweetness, acidity, and bitterness
• Sensory vocabulary basics
• Practical tasting exercises

Exam & Results

The course includes:

• Practical sensory assessment
• Online exam

Students who successfully complete both assessments will receive the official SCA Sensory Skills Foundation Certificate