
Exploring the New Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Cupping Scoring System: What’s Different?
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If you’re a coffee enthusiast or a professional in the specialty coffee world, you’ve likely encountered the SCA cupping scoring system. This system is a crucial tool for evaluating the quality of coffee beans, helping farmers, roasters, and buyers ensure exceptional flavor profiles. Recently, the SCA updated its cupping scoring system, introducing some exciting changes that make coffee evaluation more precise and inclusive.
Here’s what you need to know about the new system and how it stands apart from the old one.
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1. Streamlined Scoring for Accessibility
The new system simplifies scoring by reducing redundancy in categories. For instance, instead of scoring “aroma” separately across different phases (dry grounds, wet grounds, etc.), a unified category for overall aroma is now used. This makes the process more intuitive, especially for new cuppers.
2. Enhanced Descriptive Scoring
Instead of focusing only on numerical scores, the system now emphasizes descriptive analysis. Cuppers are encouraged to provide detailed flavor notes alongside scores, making evaluations more meaningful and transparent.
3. Global Calibration
A significant upgrade is the improved calibration system. The SCA has introduced a universal scoring framework to address variations in how cuppers score worldwide. This ensures a more consistent understanding of quality, no matter where you’re sipping.
4. Cultural Inclusivity in Flavor Profiles
The updated system acknowledges the diversity of coffee drinkers globally, allowing for broader interpretation of flavor profiles. Unique regional preferences, like florals in East Africa or nuttier notes favored in parts of Asia, are now more explicitly recognized.
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- Complexity in Scoring: With more fragmented categories and detailed sub-scores, the older system was harder to master, especially for non-experts.
- Limited Flexibility: Flavor profiles often leaned toward Western preferences, overlooking the nuances appreciated in other parts of the world.
- Subjectivity Issues: Calibration inconsistencies meant a coffee could receive vastly different scores from different cuppers.
The new system addresses these concerns head-on, making coffee evaluation a more inclusive, consistent, and enjoyable process.
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For example, instead of saying, “This coffee scored 85,” you can now add context like:
"Our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe scored an 85 for its vibrant floral notes and lively acidity, a perfect pick for pour-over enthusiasts."
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Wrapping It Up
The new SCA cupping scoring system is a game-changer, blending precision with inclusivity. Whether you’re sourcing beans for your coffee shop or brewing at home, this update promises to elevate every sip.
Stay ahead of the curve by familiarizing yourself with these changes and sharing them with your customers. They’ll appreciate the insight—and love the coffee even more!
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Have thoughts on the new scoring system? Let’s chat in the comments below! If you're looking for specialty coffee that meets the new gold standard, check out our curated selection of beans, roasted fresh just for you.
☕ Drink better coffee. Share the love.
Here’s what you need to know about the new system and how it stands apart from the old one.
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What Is the SCA Cupping Scoring System?
Cupping is a standardized method of tasting coffee to assess its quality. The SCA’s scoring system breaks down coffee into key attributes—aroma, flavor, body, acidity, balance, and more—scoring each on a scale from 0 to 10. The final score determines a coffee's quality grade: only those scoring above 80 are considered specialty coffee.---
What’s New in the Updated Scoring System?
The updated SCA cupping system reflects years of feedback from coffee professionals worldwide. Here are the standout changes:1. Streamlined Scoring for Accessibility
The new system simplifies scoring by reducing redundancy in categories. For instance, instead of scoring “aroma” separately across different phases (dry grounds, wet grounds, etc.), a unified category for overall aroma is now used. This makes the process more intuitive, especially for new cuppers.
2. Enhanced Descriptive Scoring
Instead of focusing only on numerical scores, the system now emphasizes descriptive analysis. Cuppers are encouraged to provide detailed flavor notes alongside scores, making evaluations more meaningful and transparent.
3. Global Calibration
A significant upgrade is the improved calibration system. The SCA has introduced a universal scoring framework to address variations in how cuppers score worldwide. This ensures a more consistent understanding of quality, no matter where you’re sipping.
4. Cultural Inclusivity in Flavor Profiles
The updated system acknowledges the diversity of coffee drinkers globally, allowing for broader interpretation of flavor profiles. Unique regional preferences, like florals in East Africa or nuttier notes favored in parts of Asia, are now more explicitly recognized.
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How Does It Differ from the Old System?
The previous system, while robust, had some limitations:- Complexity in Scoring: With more fragmented categories and detailed sub-scores, the older system was harder to master, especially for non-experts.
- Limited Flexibility: Flavor profiles often leaned toward Western preferences, overlooking the nuances appreciated in other parts of the world.
- Subjectivity Issues: Calibration inconsistencies meant a coffee could receive vastly different scores from different cuppers.
The new system addresses these concerns head-on, making coffee evaluation a more inclusive, consistent, and enjoyable process.
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Why Does It Matter for Coffee Drinkers?
For coffee drinkers, the updated scoring system ensures that your cup reflects genuine quality, no matter its origin. As a Coffee seller, this means you can confidently showcase your coffee’s scores and tasting notes, offering customers a richer understanding of their coffee.For example, instead of saying, “This coffee scored 85,” you can now add context like:
"Our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe scored an 85 for its vibrant floral notes and lively acidity, a perfect pick for pour-over enthusiasts."
---
Wrapping It Up
The new SCA cupping scoring system is a game-changer, blending precision with inclusivity. Whether you’re sourcing beans for your coffee shop or brewing at home, this update promises to elevate every sip.
Stay ahead of the curve by familiarizing yourself with these changes and sharing them with your customers. They’ll appreciate the insight—and love the coffee even more!
---
Have thoughts on the new scoring system? Let’s chat in the comments below! If you're looking for specialty coffee that meets the new gold standard, check out our curated selection of beans, roasted fresh just for you.
☕ Drink better coffee. Share the love.