Q grade
also: Q score, cupping score
A coffee's score under SCA protocol assessed by a certified Q grader; 80 points and above is specialty.
Q grade is the score a coffee earns when it is evaluated under a standardized protocol by a certified Q grader, a taster trained and licensed through the Coffee Quality Institute. The grader cups the coffee and rates attributes like acidity, sweetness, body, balance, aftertaste, and cleanliness, producing a final score on a 100-point scale.
Why it matters: the Q system gives buyers, farmers, and roasters a common language for quality and price. A score of 80 points or above is the conventional threshold for “specialty” arabica; below that, a coffee is graded as commercial.
How it shows up: Q grading happens through formal cupping following SCA methodology, scoring multiple cups to catch any defects. The scores you see on bags or in green-coffee listings usually trace back to this process. For the full attribute breakdown and how points are awarded, see scoring and Q grading.