Simon James is a Q Instructor, and has been teaching use of the CVA since it was first introduced to the SCA Sensory Skills curriculum in early 2024.

The Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) for Cuppers Course is a two-day professional update for coffee cuppers who regularly utilise the 2004 SCA cupping protocol, or have used it intensely in recent years.

You will discover how the SCA collaborated with the industry, scientists, and researchers to develop the new Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) - a protocol that provides a complete “high-resolution” picture of a specific coffee across four assessment types, that takes into account all the attributes that make a coffee special. 

You will learn how to use the CVA as a tool to evaluate coffee’s value, and how to apply it in your cupping practice.

This course includes lectures & discussions, and is full of hands-on activities to demonstrate the elements of CVA, including:

• The differentiation between the intrinsic and extrinsic attributes that influence the perceived value of coffee.
• Learning the function and background of the key sensory assessment tools used in CVA – 15-point intensity scales, CATA lists, and hedonic scales.
• Identification and calibration of the new CVA sensory references.
• Using the Descriptive, Affective, and Extrinsic assessment forms to describe and evaluate many different coffees of different processes, from different regions, and with different impressions of quality.

There are several tests in this course:

• Identification of olfactory references.
• Descriptive assessment (use of intensity scales, and CATA).
• Affective assessment (use of hedonic ratings).
• Extrinsic assessment.
• Written exam.

Upon successful completion of all course tasks, you will receive a certificate of acknowledgement.  This certificate attests you have learned CVA at an SCA-sanctioned course and can use it as a professional tool, but it does not certify you as a cupper nor provide any cupping qualifications.

Lapsed and current Arabica and Robusta Q Graders*, and holders of the SCA Sensory Skills Professional certificate, can fast track their Evolved Q applications upon successful completion of CVA for Cuppers.

*Q Grader qualifications obtained by September 30, 2025.