SCA score (cupping score)

Score given to a coffee during SCA cupping by a Q Grader. Sum of 10 attributes scored out of 10 each. ≥80 = specialty coffee. ≥90 = exceptional coffee (Outstanding). <80 = commercial coffee.

Background & Context

The SCA cupping score is the standardised quality evaluation system developed by the Specialty Coffee Association for assessing green coffee lots — producing a numerical score from 0–100 that serves as the industry benchmark for quality classification. Lots scoring 80+ are classified as specialty grade; those below 80 are commercial or commodity grade. The cupping protocol evaluates 10 individual attributes on a 6–10 point scale each: fragrance/aroma, flavour, aftertaste, acidity (quality and intensity), body (level and quality), balance, uniformity, clean cup, sweetness, and overall (holistic evaluator judgment). Total scores are derived by summing the 10 attributes and adjusting for defect penalties. The 80-point threshold was established by E.E. Lockhart at MIT in the 1950s and formalised by SCA. A coffee scoring 90+ is considered exceptional; 85–89 is excellent specialty; 80–84 is specialty grade.

Practical Use

Interpreting SCA cupping scores requires understanding what the number represents: a composite of 10 evaluations by trained tasters under standardised conditions. A score of 84 does not mean the coffee is slightly worse than one scoring 85 — the 1-point difference may reflect 0.1 variation across multiple attributes and may be within a single evaluator's tasting variance. For commercial decisions, use the score as a quality band indicator (80–84, 85–89, 90+) rather than a precise linear ranking. For consumers, a bag labelled "86 points — third-party cupped" provides more meaningful information than one without a score, but the cupping date (ideally within 6 months of purchase) and the cupper's name (Q Grader preferred) determine the score's credibility. Roasters who publish cupping scores should provide attribute breakdowns, not just total scores.

Related Terms

Related terms: SCA, Cupping, Specialty coffee, Q Grader, Flavor wheel.