In 2012, Bonavita brewers were among the first to be Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Certified and meet the Golden Cup Standard used to measure coffee quality. As a result, our brewers helped set the standards for SCA Certification and were instrumental in educating the public about the Golden Cup Standard, paving the way to why it’s now a popular term for people searching for exceptional home brewers.
Since then, we have been designing brewers to that same universal standard for superior coffee. But what does that mean, and why does it matter? Here, we break down who SCA is, what they do, and what it means to be an SCA Certified Home Brewer.
What is the SCA?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is an organization that represents thousands of coffee professionals, from producers to baristas all over the world. Built on foundations of openness, inclusivity, and the power of shared knowledge, the SCA acts as a unifying force within the specialty coffee industry and works to make coffee better by raising standards worldwide through a collaborative and progressive approach.
The SCA also has a rich history of investigating the scientific principles of coffee— from chemistry and physics to agronomy and sensory perception. This research helps to develop education, standards, and best practices which form the basis of the specialty coffee trade.
Universal standard for superior coffee
SCA standards are high-quality recommendations set by the Standards Committee, a group of knowledgeable subject-matter experts. These quantifiable and qualifiable measures are based upon scientific testing, and act as tools for the coffee industry to define superior coffee. And this takes us to the Golden Cup Standard ...
SCA Certified Home Brewers
The SCA Certified Home Brewer Program recognizes home brewers that meet SCA's longstanding rigorous technical requirements. These requirements are based on decades of industry knowledge and research by the Coffee Brewing Center.
All SCA Certified Brewers must meet the values and ranges set for the following requirements, which are based on the ability to brew within the SCA Golden Cup recommendation:
- Coffee volume
- Brewing time
- Water temperature
- Beverage preparation
- Consistent performance
- Uniform coffee extraction
- Beverage clarity
- Holding temperature
- Instruction manuals
If a brewer passes all of the tests conducted by the SCA, that brewer will be recognized as an exemplary home brewer and join the short list of SCA Certified Brewers.
Bonavita's SCA Certified Brewers
As a leader in setting the industry standards for SCA certification of brewers, Bonavita brewers were among the first to be endorsed by the SCA to make the coveted Golden Cup. Because Bonavita had set the precedence, our brewers are used by judges in World Coffee Competitions and trusted by cafes from coast to coast.
With a robust design that’s built to last, our range of SCA Certified brewers makes the perfect brew every time.
