Industry & Trade
SCA (Specialty Coffee Association)
The global trade organization for the specialty coffee industry, formed in 2017 from the merger of SCAA and SCAE. The SCA sets standards for green grading, cupping protocols, brewing, and water quality.
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The SCA's standards define what qualifies as specialty coffee (scoring 80+ on a 100-point scale), establish the cupping protocol used worldwide, and publish recommended brewing parameters (the Gold Cup standard). It administers the Coffee Skills Program (CSP)—a modular education framework covering barista skills, brewing, roasting, sensory, and green coffee—and credentials Q-graders through the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). The SCA also organizes the World Coffee Championships, including the World Barista Championship and World Brewers Cup, which drive innovation and set trends across the industry.