Member of the Month

September 2009: COFFEE QUALITY INSTITUTE (CQI)

History:

Coffee is the most widely traded agricultural commodity in the world and more than 125 million people rely on its production for their livelihoods. The industry faces a challenge because many of these people are small to medium size coffee farmers that are struggling to earn a sufficient income for their families.

A participant at a coffee cupping training conducted
by CQI and EAFCA in Malawi in 2006

The Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) is working to address these issues by focusing on quality. We believe quality is the most important variable affecting price and subsequently the livelihoods sustained by that price. Stable and prosperous coffee communities translate into a sustainable supply of quality coffee for the industry.

While we have a very human agenda, CQI solutions are economically driven and provide an innovative and highly efficient approach to sustainability. At the core of our efforts is a commitment to training and education, providing coffee producers with the tools they need in order to compete in the world market place. We've created a market platform that improves on existing trading practices and increases transparency so that farmers can be rewarded for their quality efforts.

To ensure our solutions continue long term, we are also working to develop a new generation of global leaders. This integrated approach elevates quality at all levels of the value chain so that everyone benefits. CQI is the only organization working collaboratively with producing and consuming countries to create the institutional changes that can build a more sustainable market.

With a board and staff with over 450 years of combined experience we are committed to improving the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it.

1. We provide training and technical assistance to coffee producers and other individuals in the value chain, to raise the value and volume of quality coffee production

• We build institutional capacity in coffee producing countries, creating the systems and infrastructures that will encourage a focus on quality
• We are the only organization in the world doing the work to measure and standardize quality, so that producers can be rewarded for their efforts

Specific activities:

1) Q Grader Program - A rigorous testing and certification program that is the first comprehensive professional accreditation for coffee graders and cuppers, recognizing the deepest talent at work in the industry.

CQI Coffee Corps Programme trainer, Keita Matsumoto
(third from left) with trainees in Rwanda in 2005

The backbone of the Q Grading System is formed by licensed Q Graders - professional cuppers accredited by CQI. These Q Graders must pass a rigorous 3 day exam to earn their certification, comprising 22 sections on coffee related subjects such as green grading, roast identification, coffee cupping, sensory skills and sensory triangulation. 

There are currently 678 licensed Q Graders worldwide.  Along with providing grading services, Q Graders will support the arbitration process of the Green Coffee Association (GCA).

Those who pass the Q Grader Certification Course are authorized to use the Q logo and the nomenclature "Licensed Q Grader" as a professional accreditation.

2) Q Coffee System - An internationally recognized grading system for quality coffee that utilizes the services of Licensed Q Graders to provide third party verification of cup quality. 

3) Q Coffee - Coffee that has been evaluated by CQI or one of its authorized in-country partners and has met the minimum requirements for green, roasted and cup quality as outlined by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).

4) Coffee Corps - A unique private - public partnership that matches experts in the industry with farmers and associations at origin seeking technical assistance. These individuals volunteer their own time in order to help growers improve their production methods, quality control processes or marketing.

Contact us:

Coffee Quality Institute (CQI)
330 Golden Shore, Suite 50
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562 624 4190
Fax: 562 624 4191

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