Gone are the days when the coffee market was dominated by only a couple of brands. Now consumers can find a dizzying array of familiar names along with a range of smaller artisan coffee producers on every street. So how are these consumers meant to find the best coffee from such a large choice?
At Brewdoo, we didn’t want our customers to choose our coffee simply by taking a leap of faith – we wanted them to know it’s great, even before they’ve tried it. So it was hugely important for us to have our two espresso blends tested and assessed by an Independent Q Grader to ensure optimal fragrance, flavour, aftertaste, mouthfeel and sweetness.
But why? And what is an Independent Q Grader?
Q is for quality
A Q Grader is a trained coffee cupper who is licensed by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) after passing a series of exams in the Q Grading System. To put it another way, a Q Grader is similar to a sommelier, but rather than wine, a Q Grader specialises in coffee. There are currently over 4,000 Q Graders worldwide.
Many coffee producers had their own way of evaluating and classifying green coffee, so there was a real need for a common method of coffee classification throughout the world. The Q Grading System was pioneered by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), a not-for-profit organisation that has worked to help improve the quality of coffee and the lives of its producers since 1996. By promoting a common language when referring to coffee quality, producers can evaluate the quality of their coffee, improve it and access markets that reward quality – so therefore improving the industry for everyone. For consumers, the Q mark is a reassurance that their brew has been assessed by a qualified expert – so they know they’re getting something that is worth their hard-earned money.
High sense of taste
Becoming a Q Grader is not easy. Each Q Grader, or cupper, must be able to objectively assess coffee quality, detect coffee defects, and identify coffee characteristics based on Specialty Coffee standards. Generally, wannabe cuppers take an accredited course before sitting a set of exams – to become a Q Arabica Grader, currently, cuppers must take 19 individual exams that evaluate the competency and sensory acuity in cupping and grading coffee. These tests include triangulation, cupping and sensory skills, as well as identifying different roast levels, scents and acids found in coffee. In short, a cupper’s palate must be highly sensitive to the different flavours, smells and feel of coffee.
What’s more, cuppers must pass all sections in order to win their license, and must renew their certificate every three years. Not easy at all!
How did Brewdoo match up?
Our CQI Independent Q grader scored Brewdoo higher than key competitors in every category: fragrance, flavour, aftertaste, mouthfeel and sweetness.
So if you want to know that your coffee really is something to be proud of, Brewdoo is the perfect choice – and we’re not the only ones who say that!