What is the SCA score for coffee? Full explanation
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TL;DR
The SCA score rates coffees out of 100 points according to precise criteria (aroma, acidity, body, balance, uniformity). A coffee must reach a minimum of 80 points to be considered specialty coffee. This score is established by certified Q Graders during a standardized cupping session.
The SCA score (Specialty Coffee Association) is a quality score attributed to a coffee by a certified taster (Q Grader), on a scale of 0 to 100 points. A coffee scoring 80 points or more is officially classified as "specialty coffee". This is the international benchmark in the quality coffee industry, used to objectively evaluate green coffee lots before purchase.
The 10 criteria of the SCA score
The SCA protocol evaluates 10 distinct attributes during a cupping session (standardized spoon tasting). Each criterion receives a score contributing to the final score:
Aroma (fragrance of dry ground coffee + aroma of brewed coffee), flavor (overall taste impression), aftertaste (aromatic persistence after swallowing), acidity (quality and intensity), body (texture and density in the mouth), balance (harmony between the different attributes), uniformity (consistency between the 5 cups of the same lot), cleanliness of cup (absence of off-flavors), sweetness (absence of astringency) and overall impression (subjective score from the taster).
How to interpret SCA scores?
The official SCA classification is as follows: below 80, the coffee is a "commodity" or "premium" coffee but not a specialty coffee. Between 80 and 84.99, it is a "very good" specialty coffee. Between 85 and 89.99, it is an "excellent" coffee. Between 90 and 100, it is an "exceptional" coffee: these coffees are rare and can fetch very high prices at international auctions.
The vast majority of specialty coffees available on the market score between 80 and 87 points. Coffees around 85 are already of remarkable quality. Our coffee beans are selected from lots scored 80 or higher.
Who can score a coffee according to the SCA protocol?
Only Q Graders, tasters certified by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), can officially assign an SCA score. Q Grader certification is obtained after a series of exams covering senses (smell, taste, defect detection) and tasting protocols. They are the ones who score green coffee lots intended for the specialty coffee market.
As a roaster, we do not assign SCA scores: we purchase coffees that have already been evaluated and we select those whose score and aromatic profile correspond to our approach to artisan roasting.
Sources
[1] Specialty Coffee Association: Cupping protocols and official scoring sheet. sca.coffee
[2] International Coffee Organization: Existing definitions of specialty coffee, 2024. ico.org
[3] Coffee Quality Institute: Q Grader Program. coffeeinstitute.org
A concrete example: our Nicaragua scored 88.5 in SCA cupping.