Here below you can find lots of information when thinking about and preparing for "The Q" aka the Q Grader certificate. That's either the Arabica or the Robusta course, because the type and amount of exams for both are pretty much overlapping. Needless to say, the coffee types are different ;-) Also needless to say that the main starting point is CQI's very own website.
A very helpful website, giving a clear overview is Andrew Hetzel’s coffeestrategies
-click the left menu and its texts-
Andrew also set up the Standards and Protocols for Fine Robusta.
Several personal reports and insightful reviews:
- Kim Westerman in 2016 @ Coffee Review
- Asser Christensen in 2018 @ The Coffee Chronicler
- Tomas Laca´s overview (from October 2021)
- The full story about the Q week I did in Paris, 2015, as written by my course ‘Qolleague’ Cerianne Bury (I sadly fell off the adjoining picture on the left side.. Seriously Cerianne?!?, we need to talk…)
Then this one, from importer Royal Coffee: "Passing The Q" and these highly recommended links from Q (A&R) instructor Joel Shuler @ Little City Coffee Roasters:
Recognize roasting degrees and get loads of other info at Sweet Maria’s Legacy:(p.s. The Roast ID exam is quite another ballgame when doing the Q for Robusta I can assure you…)
And the fine people of SM also can teach you to taste.
For science in coffee, a must visit is Coffee Chemistry, especially these sections, relating to the Q test with acids, part I part II part III.
Your own (borrowed) training set of Le Nez Du Café‘s 36 aroma vials is also recommended for practicing. (There’s also Le Nez du Vin, of which you might want to get some vials for Q Robusta.)
Try to read and prepare as much as possible! The Coffee Cupper’s Handbook is revised in 2021.
From Course version 5.0 onwards (since end of 2022) this flavor calibration has been added, to the initial course itself as well as in the format of a yearly online calibration tool (next to the triennial in-person compulsory calibration).
Here´s a general overview of the week´s agenda, consisting of 6 days. The first 3 days are for instruction, practice and calibration; these training days are really a (n extra) practice, instead of multiple panicking shock and awe moments 😨 in the next 3 challenging and exhausting exam days.
Finally, also check out this clear cupping (form) disquisition from the one and only Trish Rothgeb (former CQI director of Q, currently Quality Evaluation Specialist):
https://youtu.be/_94H5-G3LDc
Qood LuQ! You Qan do it! May the Q be with you!
Norman Mazel
Qood LuQ! You Qan do it! May the Q be with you!
Norman Mazel
p.s. only read here for emotional, directional aftercare aka the other side of the coin: "Failing The Q"
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