SCA Introduction to Coffee
The Full Picture of Coffee, from Farm to Cup.
If you're new to coffee and want the full picture, or you work in the industry and want to fill in the knowledge behind what you already do, this course is your starting point. It's built for enthusiasts, aspiring baristas, coffee shop staff, and anyone curious about how specialty coffee works.
Over a five-hour session, you'll work through the SCA Introduction to Coffee curriculum: what makes coffee "specialty," where it comes from and how it gets to your cup, how processing and roasting shape flavor, how to taste and describe coffee, and the brewing principles you can apply at home.
By the end, you'll leave with the vocabulary and framework to understand any coffee in front of you and, if you choose it, the SCA Introduction to Coffee credential that signals your knowledge to the industry. Just bring your curiosity.
What You'll Walk Away With
- What makes coffee 'specialty' and how the value chain works
- Where coffee comes from and how origin, processing, and roast shape flavor
- The difference between taste and flavor, and how to describe both
- The key brewing principles for making better coffee at home
- How to read a coffee bag and buy with intention
What We'll Cover.
01 What Specialty Coffee Is
- The specialty coffee value chain and who's in it
- What 'specialty' actually means as a grade and a standard
- Where the coffee you drink fits in the bigger picture
02 From Bean to Bag
- A brief history of coffee
- Main coffee-growing regions and their flavor signatures
- Seasonality, farming, and harvesting
- Species and varieties (Arabica, Robusta, others)
- Processing methods and how they change flavor
- How coffee moves from farm to importer
03 Roasting and Freshness
- How green coffee becomes roasted coffee
- Roast levels and how they change the cup
- Storage and freshness for beans at home
- How to read a coffee bag
04 Tasting Coffee
- The role of sensory assessment and cupping
- The difference between taste and flavor
- A structured way to taste and describe what you're drinking
05 Brewing at Home
- Water: why it matters and what to use
- Brewing methods and where to start
- Key brewing principles: ratio, grind, time, and extraction
- Maintenance and cleaning of home equipment
Included in Your Registration.
- SCA-approved course workbook
- Cupping session with fresh single origins
- All coffee, materials, and tasting samples
- Refreshments during the session
- SCA certificate awarded on successful completion of the written exam (with the certificate option)
Everything You Need to Know Before You Come.
Duration
5 Hours
Class size
Max 8 Students
Level
Introductory
Location
422 11 Ave SE #104, Calgary · Map
Trent Rollings
I founded Timberline and am the lead educator at the school. I've spent years in the industry as a World Coffee Championships Representative and Certified Judge, Q Grader/Instructor, and an Accredited Coffee Trainer, and have experience running coffee shops, a roastery, and training labs.
In class, my focus is creating a safe, fun environment to practice and develop your skills. I break concepts down so they're easier to understand and give you time to try them yourself.
4.9 Stars from 28 Google Reviews.
"Trent is a great instructor. Well organized, communication was super clear, and he was quick to answer any questions before and after the class."
Small class, tons of hands-on time. I finally understand how to dial in at home.
Worth every dollar. Trent explains the why behind everything, not just the how.
Good to Know.
Do I need any experience?
None. Introduction to Coffee is designed as the entry point to the SCA Coffee Skills Program. If you've never worked with coffee before, this is where you start. If you're already behind the bar, this course fills in the coffee knowledge behind what you already do.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself. All the equipment, coffee, and materials are provided here at the school.
Where does it take place?
At our coffee school: 422 11 Ave SE #104, Calgary, AB T2G 0Y4. Everything happens on site unless a date says otherwise.
What if I need to reschedule?
No problem. You can move to another date up to 48 hours before your session. Just get in touch and we will sort it out.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Canadian students can split any purchase through Shop Pay at checkout, up to 24 monthly payments (subject to approval, often interest-free on eligible plans).
