This online course description, overview and resources

THIS COURSE OVERVIEW
EXPECTATIONS & RESOURCES


How this course works

If you like to have all the details before diving into your study, then you can jump over to our Free HowToCoffeePro Introduction Course. Perhaps you have seen it, or you are a learner who likes to dive in head first. There is always time to go back and get it for free.


Course workflow

This course is both on-demand (self-paced) and cohort driven with class calls. You may complete the course in days, weeks or months. Enrollment may close, but your access to the content will always be open. The first 7 steps are required for SCA certification.

  1. Study the course lectures and materials
  2. Work through the practical skills outlined in this course
  3. Test yourself with quizzes to prepare for the SCA online exam
  4. Join our social media LIVE sessions highlighting lectures and answering questions
  5. Contribute to Google Meetings with current learners and graduated alumni
  6. Schedule your one on one (1-1) instructor call
  7. Take and pass your SCA exam for certification
  8. Join future calls as an alumni (optional)


One more time, be sure to get LIVE and cohort call announcements by email (link) here.



Course description from the SCA Handbook:

The Barista Skills Foundation course focuses on the key skills required to set a grinder, make espresso and foam, and texture milk for cappuccinos. This course allows one to gain an introductory understanding of the coffee itself and set a foundation from which to build practical skills for milk technique and latte art, while implementing health and safety practices and customer service. 


SCA Barista Skills Foundations

In this course you will be provided with resources, tools and self-guided learning activities. As you complete these lectures and advance onto new sections, you may come back and revisit any topic that was especially helpful or perhaps too challenging to master in your first attempt.

Be sure to keep pace with your study so that you can join and contribute to our live social sessions and cohort group calls with learners and alumni. Make note of any questions you'd like to discuss during one-on-one calls with our Coffee Coach.

You will be equipped with language, context and exercises to provide you confidence and to exercise your skills. Engage with others in the cohort and our social channels. Share your newfound knowledge or insights with friends and coffee colleagues.

This course works best when followed in sequence. Read the lecture notes and watch the videos with accompanying exercises entirely before advancing to the next topic. You will have questions, which may be addressed in the coming lectures and videos.

Give yourself grace - Sensory training takes time. These skills require repetition and there is no substitute for practice. Learn how to practice the right way and continue to build good habits. Consider also, one of our SCA Training Kits (link) built to flexibly suit all of our SCA Foundation courses.



In this course we will explore:

  • Differences between Arabica and Robusta beans for espresso
  • How espressos are blended or prepared as single origins
  • Espresso impacts from roast degree, freshness and more
  • Understanding grinders and how to use them
  • Understanding espresso machines and how to use them
  • Safety and cleaning of your machines
  • The benefits of maintaining a clean and efficient workspace
  • Establishing espresso recipes
  • Calibrating your grinder
  • Dosing, distributing and tamping espresso grounds
  • Espresso definitions and the metrics/standards we use
  • The barista routine or hustle or dance (as it is called)
  • Espresso extraction and descriptions, understanding how to taste for quality
  • Milk foaming and steaming techniques
  • Milk freshness, temperature and troubleshooting
  • How to build espresso beverages and your espresso menu
  • Espressos, macchiatos, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes, Americanos and more
  • Safe and hygienic work practices
  • Regular cleaning and equipment maintenance
  • Water impacts to brewing, espressos and equipment
  • Creating a great customer experience
  • Mock SCA practice exam
  • Follow up steps to keep learning and get certified with the SCA (if desired)



Digital Course Resources


Bookmark and find more resources at: https://sca.training/introduction-to-coffee



Course Activities

This course is built around several coffee and sensory experiences. While not required it is highly recommended to experience in the cup what you will be learning about:

  1. Species (Arabica vs. Robusta) Cupping
  2. Light Roasts vs. Dark Roasts (as an Arabica blend to match)
  3. 100% Arabica Espresso vs. Robusta Espresso Blends
  4. Foam quality, alternative milks, water quality and more


To participate fully in the exercises you will be guided through various exercises that require equipment and coffees. You may look for them locally at a specialty coffee company or perhaps online. We have designed SCA Training Kits (link) built to flexibly suit all of our SCA Foundation courses.


Enjoy your course!


PS. If you didn't see - our Free HowToCoffeePro introduction is here:
https://howtocoffeepro.teachable.com/p/free-introducing-howtocoffeepro

In it we explain programs, introduce our Coffee Coach and more!



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