Education - Atlas Coffee Importers

Education at Atlas

There is always more to know about coffee. Come learn with us.

Coffee Courses
We offer SCAA and CQI Accredited courses as well as Atlas-developed curriculum on a wide variety of topics.
Coffee Glossary
Our Coffee Glossary takes the mystery out of our jargon-heavy industry-speak, and sheds light on some of the more Atlas-centric lingo.
Coffee Encyclopedia
Atlas staff bring their years of experience around the coffee world to bear on explaining a wide range of essential coffee topics from cultivation to consumption.

Coffee Courses

From the outset, Atlas has endeavored to be not only a source for green coffee but a knowledgeable resource. We see our customers’ success as our success and we support this by offering a variety of classes and events for coffee people. Whether you are just getting started in the industry or seeking to deepen your expertise in a particular area, our class offerings are geared to help acquire and refine skills that enable success in the specialty coffee industry.

Our courses take place in our coffee lab, which has been designed according to SCA standards and built expressly to facilitate educational events like the Q course in an efficient, comfortable, and enriching manner. The small class size and approachable delivery make this an excellent venue for SCA training. See below, or contact us for event details.

With two licensed Q instructors on staff, we regularly offer Q courses and calibrations. The Q Grader program is an initiative of The Coffee Quality Institute, which works to create opportunity for producers by promoting global awareness of coffee quality.

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a great resource for professional development in coffee. Atlas regularly offers SCA education for coffee professionals at all levels who seek to cultivate relevant skills and acquire greater awareness of industry standards.

Drawing from the ample industry experience of Atlas’ staff, we offer original workshops designed to equip new and growing coffee businesses with practical knowledge and skills in a range of coffee disciplines, including green buying practices, roasting, and cupping.

Reserve Your Class

To sign up for classes, first select the type of class you are looking for in the field below. Then, enter a quantity for each of the classes that you wish to register for, and fill out your information in the form below.
What type of course would you like to take? Select SCA Education, Q Certification, or Atlas Content from the dropdown list below.*
Select your course
Using the box above, select the type of course you would like to take
SCA Courses
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a great resource for professional development in coffee. Atlas regularly offers SCA education for coffee professionals at all levels who seek to cultivate relevant skills and acquire greater awareness of industry standards.
SCA Sensory Foundation, September 4th
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018, 9:00 AM Instructor: Drew Billups

The Sensory Foundation curriculum introduces students to the discipline of sensory analysis and its applications within the coffee industry. It is ideal for learners who have just begun or desire to initiate a career that involves coffee quality analysis. This includes roles like green buying for a roasting operation, working in a coffee lab, or participating in the QC of roasted coffee. In this one-day course, we will learn to identify describe and discriminate various sensory attributes of coffee and we will be introduced to SCA cupping methodology.
Price: $375.00 Quantity:
16 items remaining.
SCA Sensory Intermediate, September 5th - 7th
Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 through Friday, September 7th, 2018, 9:00 AM Instructor: Drew Billups

The Sensory Intermediate curriculum will familiarize the student with core concepts of sensory science including human sensory physiology and the importance of sensory panel development. Students will work to develop skills in the recognition of different levels of intensity and quality of coffee aroma, flavor, and body. The course will include an in-depth study of the use of the SCA cupping form and quality assessment calibration. Additionally, students will be introduced to two other forms of sensory testing: triangulation and in/out tests. Sensory Intermediate will familiarize students with the basic requirements for developing a sensory program at their place of employment. This course is ideal for learners who already have experience with sensory analysis and have been working in a related field, such as green buying, roasted coffee quality control, or any kind of coffee lab work.
Price: $1,200.00 Quantity:
16 items remaining.
SCA Roasting Foundation, October 18th
Thursday, October 18th, 2018, 8:30 AM Instructor: Drew Billups

This one-day event is designed to introduce core roasting skills and equipment to beginners and those with no previous roasting experience. Students will become familiar with common industry terminology, learn about the stages of the roasting process, and discuss safety and maintenance. The class will consist of both lectures and activities on the roasting machine and will be followed by written and practical examinations. Participation in this class prepares students for the intermediate level and successful performance in exams will result in foundations level certification with the Specialty Coffee Association.
Price: $400.00 Quantity:
1 items remaining.
SCA Barista Foundation, October 19th
Friday, October 19th, 2018, 8:30 AM Instructor: Gavin Tull-Esterbrook

This one-day event is designed to introduce core barista skills to beginners and those with no previous barista experience. Students will be introduced to basic espresso standards and milk steaming technique. We will discuss variables in espresso extraction and learn to calibrate grinders. The class will consist of both lectures and activities on bar and will be followed by written and practical examinations. Participation in this class prepares students for the intermediate level and successful performance in exams will result in foundations level certification with the Specialty Coffee Association.
Price: $400.00 Quantity:
6 items remaining.
SCA Roasting Intermediate, November 7th - 9th
Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 through Friday, November 9th, 2018, 8:30 AM Instructor: Drew Billups

We will discuss core concepts in roasting and offer opportunities to craft profiles and examine their sensory impact on the coffee. The class will consist of both lectures and activities on the roasting machine and will be followed by written and practical examinations. Participation in this class prepares students for the professional level and successful performance in exams will result in intermediate level certification with the Specialty Coffee Association.
Price: $1,200.00 Quantity:
5 items remaining.
SCA Barista Intermediate, November 14th - 16th
Wednesday, November 14th, 2018 through Friday, November 16th, 2018, 8:30 AM Instructor: Gavin Tull-Esterbrook

In Barista Intermediate, we will expand on the fundamentals of espresso preparation and build competencies in dialing in brew recipes and making a full range of espresso drinks with quality and speed. In addition, we will address customer service practices and basic machine maintenance. Participation in this class prepares students for the intermediate level and successful performance in exams will result in foundations level certification with the Specialty Coffee Association.
Price: $995.00 Quantity:
6 items remaining.
Q Courses
With two licensed Q instructors on staff, we regularly offer Q courses and calibrations. The Q Grader program is an initiative of the Coffee Quality Institute, which works to create opportunity for producers by promoting global awareness of coffee quality.
Q Arabica Training & Exam, September 24th - 29th
Monday, September 24th, 2018 through Saturday, September 29th, 2018, Instructor: Drew Billups

The Q course is a six day training and testing experience that evaluates sensory acumen and precision in one’s ability to grade coffees from various growing regions in calibration with globally recognized standards in the specialty industry. The first three days consist of teaching and sensory practice activities, while the final three days are for sensory and cupping examinations. There are 18 component tests that must be passed in order for the participant to become a certified Q grader.

In addition to signing up here, you must also create a personal profile and register on the CQI Website.

Please note that the price listed here is only a deposit to confirm your spot. Balance will be due prior to start date. Full registration is $1850.
Price: $925.00 Quantity:
6 items remaining.
Q Processing Level 1 - Generalist, October 11th - 12th
Thursday, October 11th, 2018 through Friday, October 12th, 2018, Instructor: Mario Fernández, PhD

The Q processing Level 1 (Generalist) course is a 2-day event consisting of lectures and comparative cupping exercises. It is designed for coffee professionals who do not actively work in processing but can benefit from greater depth of knowledge in this area – namely roasters, retailers, and baristas. The course provides a scientifically informed body of general knowledge about coffee processing techniques, addressing subjects such as the history of processing, coffee plant anatomy, processing methods, fermentation, drying, and future challenges. A written exam will be administered to measure competencies in the subject matter and a passing score will result in a Q Processing Generalist Certificate.
Price: $650.00 Quantity:
14 items remaining.
Q Processing Level 1 - Generalist, October 25th - 26th
Thursday, October 25th, 2018 through Friday, October 26th, 2018, Instructor: Mario Fernández, PhD

The Q processing Level 1 (Generalist) course is a 2-day event consisting of lectures and comparative cupping exercises. It is designed for coffee professionals who do not actively work in processing but can benefit from greater depth of knowledge in this area – namely roasters, retailers, and baristas. The course provides a scientifically informed body of general knowledge about coffee processing techniques, addressing subjects such as the history of processing, coffee plant anatomy, processing methods, fermentation, drying, and future challenges. A written exam will be administered to measure competencies in the subject matter and a passing score will result in a Q Processing Generalist Certificate.
Price: $650.00 Quantity:
14 items remaining.
Q Arabica Calibration, November 30th
Friday, November 30th, 2018, 8:30 AM Instructor: Drew Billups

Q graders need to attend and pass a Q calibration once every three years in order to maintain their license as a Q grader. For the calibration event we ask Q graders to cup three tables of six coffees each and score them in line with their peers. A passing score on at least two out of three tables will result in the renewal of a Q certificate for three additional years.
Price: $375.00 Quantity:
16 items remaining.
Atlas
Drawing from the ample industry experience of Atlas’ staff, we offer original workshops designed to equip new and growing coffee businesses with practical knowledge and skills in a range of coffee disciplines, including green buying practices, roasting, and cupping.
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Education at Atlas

There is always more to know about coffee. Come learn with us.

Coffee Courses

Reserve Your Class

Select your course

SCA Courses

Q Courses

Atlas

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