Overview
Q Program
The Q Program identifies quality coffees and brings them to market through a credible and verifiable system. A common standard for both Q Arabica, (Specialty Grade) and Q Robusta (Fine Robusta Grade) coffee has resulted in a universally shared language and standard top scoring lots. The Q engages the industry at the producer level to identify lots for specialty, at the export/import level by certifying individuals to grade coffees, and at the buyer level to offer a consumer-facing product with the Q Certification Mark. This system’s infrastructure has resulted in greater opportunity for producers to access premium prices, increase competitiveness, and improve economic viability.
The Q Program is dependent on our In-Country Partners (ICP) to facilitate Q Evaluations around the world. For more information about our ICPs, click here. Green coffee samples are submitted to an ICP, who then issues it to the 3 local Q Graders who conduct the evaluation and create a report. Coffees that meet the standards for green, roasted, and cup quality are issued a Q Certificate. If a coffee does not meet Q standards, it receives a CQI Technical Report. More details about the program can be found on our FAQ page. In order to get your coffee Q Graded, you must first log-in to the database. To log-in or create a registration, please click here. Or check out our step-by-step tutorial. Or to learn more about how to become a Q Grader, click here.
When CQI created the most renowned certification for coffee cuppers, Q Graders, it created a demanding professional certification that filled a vacuum in the market when it launched in 2003. It catapulted CQI into becoming a leading player in the world of coffee professional certifications. So it’s no surprise that in 2017, CQI is launching another an innovative program that will surely fill another void in the market: coffee processing. There has been a major focus at the consuming level towards creating educational certifications for baristas and roasters and green buyers. However, there has been little focus at the mill level. CQI is proud to launch a new component to the Q Program, Q Processing, to certify competencies around coffee processing.
We employ a global perspective, grounded in technical understanding, while offering practical solutions to meet local challenges. Uniquely, we operate with strong ties to the coffee trade to emphasize market access as a vital part of long-term solutions. Our innovative approaches to quality development continue to meet the needs of a volatile coffee market. Thank you for support, and we look forward to working with you soon.
Find out where you can pick up your free pin if you are a current Q Arabica Grader, Q Robusta Grader, or Q Processing Professional. Pins are not for sale and cannot be distributed anywhere outside of the events posted on this map where you will get your pin directly from one of CQI’s staff members. Keep checking back as we will be adding updates on locations, dates and times periodically.
Q Arabica/ Q Robusta
Q Program
Q Arabica was the first component CQI launched as part of the Q Program, over 15 years ago. The concept was simple: train everyone in the supply chain to speak a common language of quality, thus elevating arabica coffee worldwide, and ultimately rewarding producers for higher quality and opening new market opportunities. Based on arabica standards set forth by the Specialty Coffee Association, CQI provides rigorous and comprehensive training for all those in the supply chain looking to better understand and identify high quality arabica coffee.
For a breakdown of the Q Arabica Course, click here.
Q Robusta, also within the Q Program, was developed in cooperation with the Ugandan Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) in 2010, and launched by CQI globally to improve the quality of robusta, including training of coffee professionals in the standards for Fine Robusta.
In 2019, CQI recognized the ever-pressing need and value to publishing the updated standards and protocols developed for Fine Robusta. Here are the following resources available for Fine Robusta:
Fine Robusta Standards and Protocols
- DIGITAL booklet is $20 USD. To purchase a digital copy now, Click Here
- Q Instructors/Assistant Instructors receive a discount code for both digital and printed versions. Email kta@coffeeinstitute.org to obtain your discount code.
- PRINT version of the Fine Robusta Standards and Protocols booklet is $25 USD and available through the CLI Library. To place an order, please send an email to Qinfo@coffeelab.com.
- For Q Instructors, there will be a place on the Robusta Order Form to order the printed version.
- Robusta Green Grading Handbook• Available in PRINT version only
• Cost: $35 USD
• Q Instructors receive a discounted price
• For purchase through the CLI Library; please email: Qinfo@coffeelab.com
FineRobusta.coffee domain provided courtesy of Coffee Value Chain Consultants
Please consult with CQI about the availability of Q Robusta Evaluations, as they are not yet offered by each and every ICP.
For a breakdown of our Q Robusta Course, click here.
Q Processing
Q Program
At the Coffee Quality Institute, we strive to support coffee communities that know how to produce quality coffee, are linked to a market that recognizes quality, and values it accordingly. That is why CQI has launched the Q Processing Program, which certifies stages of competencies around coffee processing. Through this program, CQI will provide a highly scientific and technical approach to processing coffee that improves quality, standardizes procedures, increases competitiveness, reduces risk, and creates a system that can be trusted throughout the supply chain. At its core, this program works to lift the status of trained coffee processors who are able to add value through differentiating coffee through processing techniques. Adding a formal training and certification scheme to this important topic will contribute to and push the entire industry forward.
Program Goals
- Develop core competencies of coffee processing for different actors in the supply chain, including mill operators and managers.
- Provide a deeply scientific understanding of coffee processing to consistently improve quality and reduce risk.
- Encourage students to find the best practices for their conditions based on a quality control system.
- Supply knowledge and tools to improve daily work and increase competitiveness in the market.
- Support the industry by expanding upon our network of trusted, skilled professionals to become the standard for coffee processing.
Q Processing Course Levels
The Generalist (level 1) course of this program aims to empower the consuming side of the coffee value chain to understand the language of, the basic biological principles of, and the intricacies and challenges of safely and consistently processing quality coffee.
The Professional (Level 2) course of this program is aimed at individuals who have had significant hands-on coffee processing experience through multiple harvests. It will add focus and depth to scientifically founded best practices and enable students to build new value within their products.
The Expert (level 3) course will build a new category of coffee processing expert. The study to earn a level 3 certificate is planned to encompass an entire year and include both remote and in-field learning, instruction, group projects, experimentation, and testing.
For more information about the Q Processing Program, CLICK HERE.
Q Coffees™
And Licensing Partners
A coffee becomes a Q Coffee™ after it has been independently verified by 3 Q Graders, in coordination with our In-Country Partners, and passes the standards for either arabica or robusta coffee. Here is a real-time list of current Q Coffees™ (Arabica and Robusta).
Companies who wish to promote and sell Q Coffees™ must enter into a licensing agreement with CQI. This basic agreement outlines terms of use as well as details about the licensing fee, which is currently $0.01 per pound. CQI assigns this fee at the point of import, and once the fee has been paid, usage rights are fully transferable.
Provided the licensing fee has been paid and a valid Q Certificate accompanies the coffee, companies may use the Q Certification Marks on packages by entering into a royalty-free licensing agreement with CQI. Please note that producers may use our Q Certification Marks free of charge to promote all Q Certified Coffees to potential buyers: on their jute bags and promotional materials.
As of August 2013, CQI has released new Certification Marks for Licensing Partners. All interested companies should review the Licensing Agreement and Usage Guide before signing the agreement.
Partner Agreement (EN) | Partner Agreement (KR) | Partner Agreement (JP)

Frequently Asked
Questions
- Do I need a profile to be on the CQI website?
- How do I create a profile on the database?
- I forgot my username and password. How do I retrieve them?
- How come my name isn’t on the Q Grader list?
- I can't locate my gradebook, where is it?
- I can’t locate my Q Grader Certificate. Where is it?
- I need to print my Q Certificate. How do I do it?
- Why can't I upload a photo to my profile?
- What is a Q Robusta Grader?
- I am interested in becoming a Q Robusta Grader. What is the process?
- Are there any pre-requisites required to sign up for a Q Grader Exam?
- Do I need to study with any particular material before a Q Grader Exam?
- When is the next Q Grader Course happening in my area?
- How do I enroll for a course?
- How do I enroll for a retake?
- How much does a Q Grader Exam cost?
- I started a Q Grader Exam some time ago; do I need to retake the whole class or only individual tests?
- I started a Q Grader exam; Is there a limit to how many times I can take the course?
- Does the Q Grader Certificate have an expiration date?
- How do I become recertified?
- What is a calibration?
- Am I eligible for a Q Grader Calibration extension?
- Can I contact a private instructor to come teach classes at my lab / facilities?
- Do you offer Q Grader logos for use on business cards, websites, etc…?
- Do I need a profile on the CQI database to submit a coffee sample for Q Evaluation?
- How do I submit a sample to be evaluated?
- How much does it cost to get my coffee Q Graded?
- I'm interested in becoming a Q Instructor, what is the process?
- How does CQI define a lot of coffee?
- How is the 2 kilogram sample divided?
- What if I cannot afford to have every lot Q graded?
- After my sample is graded and I receive a Q Certificate (i.e. the coffee has scored 80 points or higher), what value does it have?
- What is a Technical Report?
- How do I track my coffee sample as it is being evaluated and retrieve the potential coffee sample Q certification?
- Is there a coffee sample tutorial available?
- How can I purchase a Q Coffee™?
- What is a licensing Partner?
- Why should I become a Licensing Partner?
- I just purchased a Q Coffee™. Now what?
- Why is there a licensing fee?
- How do I obtain a SCA Premier Training Campus?
- What are the advantages of having a SCA Premier Training Campus?
- What is the difference between a SCA Premier Training Campus and a SCA Approved Training Venue?
- I now have a SCA Premier Training Campus – How do I plan a CQI Course?
- My Lab has been an Approved Training Venue for different SCA Courses – does that mean it is approved for Q?
- My Lab has been inspected but does not yet appear on the SCA website – what can I do? Can I plan a Q Course even if it doesn’t appear yet?
- I have observed some CQI Q Courses hosted at venues different from SCA Premier Training Campuses – why is that?
- What are the requirements for Q Robusta Courses?