Introduction to coffee course: An accredited course targeted at the general public
“ This course is for anyone new to the coffee industry or interested in this beautiful drink.”
Coffee is something many enjoy on a daily base. Individuals will consume one of the highest-traded commodities without thinking about it. The beverage that keeps many awake during meetings or assists others to wake up and deal with life is underappreciated.
The mere fact that many indulge in coffee without thinking about how it reached this point is one of the main reasons behind barista training, coffee-focused specialty coffee education, and courses.
Many coffee trainers focus on baristas, cafe owners or even roasters. The problem is that customers consume coffee. And specialty coffee training should be open to coffee lovers. Training a barista is essential because of the art, craft and skills it takes to consume the coffee. But the craft might mean less if consumers do not enjoy it.
The Introduction to Coffee course is an SCA coffee education course that can bridge this gap between the barista's skills and knowledge and the consumer's understanding of coffee.
The aim of the Introduction to Coffee course, and why you should attend it
The Introduction to Coffee course aims to make the scary, complex, intimidating coffee industry accessible and straightforward. Consumers fear knowledge due to the complexity of coffee. Although these aspects are accurate, coffee trainers should use this course to ensure that coffee lovers can grow their knowledge and passion for coffee.
According to the Specialty Coffee Association, the course was created:" for anyone new to the coffee industry or interested in this beautiful drink." The Introduction SCA Coffee education course is fun and interactive and should be presented in a simple yet educational method.
Anyone who wants to learn the history of coffee, understand the process coffee takes or wants to know why coffee plays such a significant role today should attend this course. Due to the accreditation, many think it is solely developed for professionals working in the industry, but the opposite is true. The coffee courses are made for any coffee lover.
The aspects and topics of the coffee course
The introduction to the coffee course has multiple topics. These topics are carefully selected and curated for beginner coffee learners. Not only will students learn more about coffee and its history, but they will also be informed about the roasting, brewing protocols and the impact of water on every cup they consume.
Another fantastic perk of this course is that the students will taste a lot of coffee.
Coffee knowledge
This section of the course solely aims to inform and educate every student on the basics of coffee. Topics such as the origin of coffee, where it's grown, harvesting and the journey it takes will be shared.
Understanding coffee beans and their daily impact on the coffee scene will be included in the course. Many trainers will look at the various species and the effect of varietals on the taste of coffee. Many trainers will provide students with different coffees to experience the difference that all the above aspects have on the taste.
The Roasting process
Roasting is a topic that many consumers forget about. This 14-minute process has a significant impact on the beans. The course will take a deep dive into the aspects, influence and impact that roasting has on the journey of coffee. The roasting process will be explained; students can expect to taste different roasting styles in the course.
Freshness of coffee
Fresh coffee is critical to a great-tasting beverage. Many might ask how coffee lovers can keep their coffee fresher for longer. The coffee course will explore the five best ways to keep your coffee fresh. Storing, grinding, and the best-allocated amount of coffee plays a significant role.
Sensory skills training
People love drinking coffee, yet many must be reminded to taste the coffee. The caffeine kick in coffee is what people chase. This is a massive problem. Coffee professionals want students to slow down and taste the coffee.
In the Introduction to Coffee course, students will learn about the primary flavours, how to identify them in coffee, and how everyone's perspective will change the flavour they might locate.
The coffee course will take a deep dive into the influence that terroir, species, processing and roasting have on every cup coffee lovers drink.
Brewing
Besides simply tasting coffee the entire day, students can brew it with multiple brewing methods. These will likely be manual brewing methods, which exclude espressos. If espresso brewing is something you are interested in, espresso brewing workshops will be available from the coffee trainer or another trainer in the area.
Multiple principles, ratios and elements of a great brew will be explained. Students can compare various brewing methods, such as a V60, French press and Aeropress, with one another, providing a foundation to find the flavours they love in coffee.
Water
Coffee is mainly made up of water. In this SCA coffee education course topic, students will dive deep into what water should be used to extract coffee. The focus will be on water temperature and what types of minerals are key in coffee.
Cleaning and maintenance
Clean equipment will produce good-tasting coffee. Many coffee lovers need to remember about the cleanliness of their equipment. The last topic of this course aims to provide cleaning and maintenance tips to ensure that the equipment lasts longer and that the clean equipment creates the foundation for a good extraction.
Fees, accessibility and how to attend these specialty coffee classes
SCA coffee education courses are available worldwide. There are multiple trainers, and many educators will travel around to ensure that all coffee lovers can build their knowledge.
The students of the coffee course
If you are a passionate home brewer or coffee enthusiast who only recently discovered speciality coffee, this course is for you. The course is an excellent choice if basic knowledge and information is what you desire.
Baristas, waiters and other coffee professionals who want to develop coffee knowledge, which they will share with their clients, can use this course.
The course is fun and interactive and can be enjoyed in groups.
Accessibility and where to find a specialty coffee course
Due to the SCA standards, only accredited barista trainers can present this course. Luckily, the SCA has a dedicated location on their website where students can search for courses and trainers close to them.
After identifying a coffee trainer, they can contact them and ask if there are upcoming courses or if an exception can be made and the course can be opened. The key is using the SCA website to assist students and trainers.
Fees and time of coffee workshops
This specialty coffee education course forms part of an action program to raise the worldwide coffee standard. The standard time arrangement is four hours but can be extended to the dedicated period. Some classes may be very interactive, and the students might have many questions. This will impact the time stamp of the course.
The fees, on the other hand, are more complex. There is a set SCA enrolment and activation fee of $50. This excludes any additional product, equipment or purchases the barista trainer must make. The course should be around R1500 - R2500.
Conclusion
The Introduction to Coffee course is a fun and interactive course made for all the coffee lovers out there. The course provides valuable insight into the hands coffee goes through. It includes multiple tastings and will leave every student with a brand-new view of coffee.
It includes an SCA specialty coffee education certificate for all students who pass the short exam. The course will significantly benefit new coffee lovers, home brewers and professionals who want a fresh take on the coffee industry.