Green Coffee Module

Foundation | Intermediate | Professional

Course Overview

The Green Coffee module within the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Coffee Skills Program provides a structured understanding of coffee’s journey before roasting. It explores topics such as botany, farming, processing, storage, trading, and green grading. This module is ideal for roasters, traders, baristas, and quality professionals looking to strengthen their coffee sourcing and evaluation capabilities.

Foundation Level

Duration: Minimum 7 hours

Assessment: Written Exam (60%)

Points Toward SCA Diploma: 5 points

Recommended Prerequisite: Introduction to Coffee

Learning Focus:

This entry-level course introduces learners to the specialty coffee supply chain and basic green coffee evaluation techniques.

Detailed Topics:

• Botany and Coffee Varieties
  • Coffee species (Arabica, Robusta) and plant structure
  • Global spread of coffee and climate influences
• Coffee Farming & Processing
  • Overview of land management and harvesting
  • Common processing methods: washed, natural, pulped-natural
  • Introduction to drying and grading
• Storage and Transport
  • Basic logistics in transporting green coffee
  • Storage conditions and freshness factors
• Market Basics
  • Role of futures and specialty markets
  • Differentiation through certifications and accreditations
• Equipment for Green Analysis
  • Sizing screens and moisture meters
  • Visual inspection practices

Intermediate Level

Duration: Minimum 14 hours

Assessment: Written Exam (70%) + Practical Exam (70%)

Points Toward SCA Diploma: 10 points

Recommended Prerequisite: Green Coffee Foundation, Sensory Skills Foundation

Learning Focus:

The intermediate course offers a more detailed understanding of green coffee sourcing, grading, quality control, and commercial transactions.

Detailed Topics:

• Botany and Global Production
  • Botanical origins and varietals
  • Production volume and consumption patterns by region
• Coffee Farming & Seasonality
  • Farm size, location, shade management
  • Crop year, climate impact, and terroir influences
• Advanced Processing & Storage
  • Weights, conversions, OTA risks
  • Storage systems and moisture control
• Green Grading and Defects
  • Size grading, physical defects, and cupping correlation
  • Process, species, and variety identification by sight
• Markets and Contracting
  • Spot pricing, differentials, and Incoterms
  • Contract formulation and negotiation
• Certifications & Decaffeination
  • Third-party accreditations
  • Decaf methods and legal criteria
• Practical Analysis
  • Sample roasting and defect cupping
  • Sample approval workflows

Professional Level

Duration: Minimum 21 hours

Assessment: Written Exam (80%) + Practical Exam (80%)

Points Toward SCA Diploma: 25 points

Required Prerequisite: Green Coffee Intermediate

Recommended Prerequisite: Sensory Skills Intermediate, Roasting Intermediate

Learning Focus:

The Professional course prepares learners for strategic purchasing and portfolio management. It covers in-depth coffee sourcing, quality assurance, contract design, and sustainability concerns.

Detailed Topics:

• Coffee Genetics and Cultivation
  • Breeding research and traditional vs modern varietals
  • Climate change impact and mitigation strategies
  • Disease and pest management in farming
• Processing Methodology
  • Advanced fermentation and mucilage removal
  • Drying technologies and water management in processing
• Defect Identification & Grading
  • Visual and sensory defect correlation
  • Calibration for quality differentiation
• Supply Chain Management
  • Pre-export transport, port landing protocols
  • Regulatory and documentation procedures
• Futures Market & Contract Structuring
  • Hedging, currency risk, and certified stocks
  • Planning strategies and supplier evaluation
• Financial Analysis & Purchasing Plans
  • Cost of production and risk management
  • Seasonality forecasting and price negotiation
• Certifications in Practice
  • Practical implementation of sustainability schemes
  • Auditing and impact analysis

Certification

Each level awards an SCA Green Coffee Certificate, contributing to the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma and equipping learners for green sourcing, quality control, and trade responsibilities.