CQI
CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) is a non-profit organization with significant influence in the coffee industry, established in 1996 to provide training and technical support to coffee producers.
In 2003, CQI launched the Q Program (“Q” stands for “Quality”) and issued its first Q Grader certification in 2004. The Q Program is a training program, where participants can earn Q Arabica and/or Q Robusta certifications through courses such as the ‘Q Arabica Course’ and the ‘Q Robusta Course.’ This certification is considered a prestigious credential in the industry for cupping professionals who assess specialty coffee.