An immersive six-day certification course in Charleston covering sensory evaluation with the CVA, green grading, and practical exams.

Join Balzac Brothers in beautiful Charleston, SC for the new SCA Q Course offered under the Specialty Coffee Association’s current Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) framework.

As the SCA assumes full stewardship of the Q program, this course marks an exciting transition from the heritage SCA cupping form to the new CVA system. The Q is designed for coffee professionals who want a clear, practical understanding of how quality is evaluated within the current SCA system—while building strong, transferable sensory skills that remain relevant across the industry.

What’s Included

• 6 days of Q training and assessment
• All training materials and workbooks
• Course Enrollment Fee
• Lunch, snacks, and plenty of coffee
• Free parking available

Why Q Wth Us in Charleston?

• Learn alongside Q Instructor Traci Armstrong and our highly supportive team!
• Train in our historic downtown Charleston sensory lab
• Wind down in the evenings with fresh local seafood (Chubby Fish and Bistronomy are longtime favorites)
• A supportive, human environment where you’ll be challenged—but not left on your own
• We know this course is demanding. We’re here to help you get through it!