About SCA Research
The Specialty Coffee Association takes great pride in its history of investigating the scientific principles of coffee- from chemistry and physics to agronomy and sensory perception. This research helps to develop education, standards, and best practices which form the basis of the specialty coffee trade.
SCA also performs market research and analysis, giving our members valuable information that informs the economic strategies of the coffee industry, with the aim of helping our members be more successful and for the specialty coffee community to thrive.
Available Reports
Below, find a range of recent reports. If you’re looking for historical reports not linked here, please feel free to contact us.
SCA Certified Home Brewer Program
The SCA recognizes home brewers that meet our longstanding rigorous technical requirements. These requirements are based on decades of industry knowledge and research by the Coffee Brewing Center. All SCA Certified Brewers have met these requirements, which are based generally on proper water temperature, brewing time, and ability to brew within the SCA Golden Cup recommendation. If a brewer passes all of the tests as described below and conducted by the SCA, that brewer will be recognized as an exemplary home brewer and join the short list of SCA Certified Brewers.
What Is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee can consistently exist through the dedication of the people who have made it their life's work to continually make quality their highest priority. This is not the work of only one person in the lifecycle of a coffee bean; specialty can only occur when all of those involved in the coffee value chain work in harmony and maintain a keen focus on standards and excellence from start to finish. This is no easy accomplishment, and yet because of these dedicated professionals, there are numerous specialty coffees available right now, across the globe, and likely right around the corner from you.
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF)
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF) is a support organization that serves as the research arm of the SCA. It is a nonprofit research institution dedicated to advancing the knowledge of coffee and securing its future trhough research, knowledge building, and outreach.
The CSF supports academic and applied research in a variety of disciplines, including physical science, sensory science, consumer science, sustainability, economics, and the social sciences. The results of CSF-managed projects are then disseminated to the global coffee community at events, through publications, and coffee education programs.