The Coffee Quality Institute® (CQI) is a nonprofit organization working internationally to improve coffee quality and the lives of the people who produce it. Our current programs include:

Q Grader Program | A rigorous testing and certification program, this is the first comprehensive professional accreditation for coffee graders and cuppers, recognizing the deepest talent at work in our industry.


Q Coffee System | An internationally recognized grading system for quality coffee that utilizes the services of Licensed Q Graders to provide third-party verification of cup quality. 


Q Coffee | Coffee that has been evaluated by CQI or one of its authorized In-Country Partners and has met the minimum requirements for green, roasted, and cup quality as outlined by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).


Coffee Corps | A program that matches coffee experts from all aspects of the industry, who volunteer their time, with growers at origin seeking technical assistance.



 

News

  • New Q Graders Certified in East Africa, Central America, Japan and the United States, bringing the total number of Licensed Q Graders worldwide to 678
  • The Coffee Quality Institute awards BJ's Wholesale Club with the 2009 Leadership Medal of Merit at its Annual Luncheon in Atlanta, Georgia during SCAA's Exposition
  • 2008 Annual Report is released, highlighting how CQI is setting standards within the industry and providing market access for high quality coffee

 Upcoming Events

Q Grader Certification Courses

July 6-10 | Coffee Solutions | Hopedale, MA

July 13-17 | Coffee Lab International | Waterbury, VT

August 24-28 | Coffee Lab International | Long Beach, CA

August 24-29 | Midwest Coffee Academy | Rose Bud, AR

September 7-11 | Coffee Solutions | Hopedale, MA

September 21-25 | Midwest Coffee Academy | Rose Bud, AR

For more test dates please CLICK HERE