SCA Sensory Skills Intermediate
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Do you want to improve your ability to taste and describe coffee like a pro? The SCA Sensory Skills Intermediate course is designed to help you sharpen your palate, recognize flavors with confidence, and better understand what makes coffee unique. In this course, you’ll dive deeper into how we perceive taste and aroma, learning how to assess coffee quality using structured evaluation techniques.
You’ll also practice sensory discrimination tests like triangulation, helping you identify subtle differences between coffees. Along the way, you’ll use tools like the SCA Flavor Wheel and cupping protocols to develop a more refined and consistent approach to tasting.
Duration: 2 Days (16 Hours)
What You'll Learn
Sensory Science & Perception
- Explore how our senses detect and interpret taste and aroma
- Understand the role of sensory analysis in quality control and product development
- Recognize how bias can affect sensory perception and learn how to minimize it
Flavor Language & Communication
- Use the SCA Flavor Wheel and Sensory Lexicon to describe coffee accurately
- Develop shared vocabulary to evaluate and communicate flavour attributes
- Calibrate your palate through group tasting to align with industry standards
Taste, Aroma & Mouthfeel
- Identify key attributes in coffee such as acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and body
- Evaluate balance, complexity, and the presence of defects in brewed coffee
- Refine sensory skills through guided tastings and structured analysis
Cupping Protocols & Practice
- Follow SCA protocols to set up consistent and professional cupping sessions
- Practice advanced cupping techniques to deepen sensory awareness
- Conduct triangulation tests to build sensory discrimination skills
Flavor Development & Practical Application
- Recognize how processing and roasting affect coffee flavour
- Apply sensory skills across roles in the coffee industry—from baristas to green buyers
- Successfully complete the practical and online written exams to earn certification
Who This Course is For
- Coffee professionals with foundational sensory or cupping experience
- Baristas, roasters, or café staff involved in quality control or coffee selection
- Café leads or trainers looking to refine their sensory communication skills
- Aspiring Q Graders or those preparing for advanced sensory certifications
- Anyone seeking to build confidence in describing and evaluating coffee with industry tools
Course Prerequisites
Completion of SCA Sensory Skills Foundation or equivalent experience (6 months of experience cupping coffee and describing flavor profiles).
What's Included
- Facilitator Fee
- Facility & Equipment Usage
- Coffee Beans
- Printed Handouts & Resources
- Lunch and Snacks
- Course Certificate (upon successful completion)
- All SCA Fees
Get Globally Recognized Certification
Get your skills certified by the most globally-known coffee skills certification from the Specialty Coffee Association.
Make New Coffee Friends
Meet other amazing coffee professionals and enthusiasts.
Learn in Small Classes with World-Class Educators
Get personalized feedback from some of the best in the industry.
Meet Your Trainer
Trent Rollings is the founder of Timberline Coffee School, a certified SCA trainer, and a World Coffee Championships Representative and Judge. With over a decade of international experience in coffee education and competition, Trent brings deep industry insight and a passion for helping others grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will be in the course?
Class sizes are kept small (10 students max.) to ensure a hands-on, high-touch learning experience. This allows for real-time feedback, personalized instruction, and plenty of time on focused skill development.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. All students receive an official certificate from the Specialty Coffee Association, the most widely recognized coffee skills certificate.
What do I need to bring?
Just yourself, a notebook, and a willingness to learn. We’ll provide everything else, including equipment, tools, tasting supplies, and printed resources.
Where is the course held?
The course takes place at Timberline Coffee School in Calgary, Alberta. Directions and preparation details will be sent upon registration.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We will send you a pre-course email before your course where we ask for any dietary restrictions you may have so that we can work to accommodate for them when ordering snacks and lunch.
