RESEARCH
ABOUT SCA
Coffee is an extraordinarily complex product and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has a long history of conducting and sponsoring research to understand that complexity. SCA's research spans the full arc of the coffee experience: from the chemistry of flavor and the science of sensory perception, to value chain economics and the environmental pressures impacting coffee growing.
Research reports & publications
This research exists to give coffee professionals and businesses the knowledge they need to make more informed decisions, whether that's setting an industry standard, designing an education curriculum, or understanding how the market is innovating for the future. Alongside our scientific work, we publish market reports, survey reports, and industry analyses that track the trends, challenges, and opportunities that define the coffee sector.
Explore reports, studies, and industry insights developed by SCA and research partners across the global coffee community.
These publications cover topics ranging from coffee value systems and sustainability to sensory science, brewing research, and market analysis.
Open access resources
Member only resources
Please note that these resources are only available for members. SCA membership is free, become a member to access all resources.
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Looking for historical reports or archived publications? Contact us.
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF)
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF) is the research organization of the Specialty Coffee Association, supporting scientific studies that expand knowledge and drive progress across the coffee industry.
As a nonprofit organization, CSF funds and shares research focused on areas including sensory science, sustainability, consumer behavior, physical sciences, economics, and coffee quality.
Research supported by CSF helps strengthen industry understanding and is shared with the global coffee community through events, publications, and education programs.
Additional resources
Expand your knowledge with guides and research references designed for the specialty coffee community:
A weekly column on science, research, and all things coffee knowledge, exploring topics from coffee species and sweetness to roast level and beyond.
Coffee Decoded
Botanist’s Guide to Specialty Coffee
Explore coffee plant species, varieties, and agricultural foundations.
Coffee Plants of the World
Learn about coffee-growing regions and plant diversity.
Specialty Coffee Facts & Figures
Access industry data, statistics, and insights.
Press Resources
Media materials, brand assets, and resources for journalists.
Get involved in coffee research
Coffee research grows through collaboration across the specialty coffee community. SCA works with researchers, industry professionals, businesses, and partners to support studies that expand knowledge and create practical impact across the coffee industry.
Whether you are exploring industry insights, supporting scientific research, or applying research through education and standards, SCA research helps strengthen the future of specialty coffee.