Coffee Discovery Program (14-December-2025)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the student’s program, focusing on the journey from coffee origin to production:
Important Note: All expenses, including food and transportation for the initial week, are fully covered for the participants of this program. The total cost for the entire three-week program is 1,490€
- Sunday (Arrival Day): Students arrive.
- Monday:
○ Short briefing on coffee.
○ Travel to Bonga.
- Tuesday:
○ Stay in Bonga.
○ Hike activity.
- Wednesday:
○ Morning: Drive from Bonga to Mizan.
○ Chill day in Mizan (staying in Mizan for the day).
- Thursday:
○ Visit a production site in Mizan.
- Friday:
○ Travel from Mizan to Jimma.
- Saturday:
○ Travel back to Addis Ababa from Jimma
- Sunday (Weekend):
○ Day for themselves in Addis Ababa.
○ Weekends are generally off.
○ Optional programs, such as a safari, are available for an additional price if people
are interested.
- Monday:
○ SCA Introduction & Coffee Basics: Overview of the SCA program, history of
coffee, coffee species (Arabica, Robusta), and coffee processing methods (washed,
natural, honey).
- Tuesday:
○ Green Coffee Foundation: Understanding green coffee, defects, grading, and
basic quality assessment.
- Wednesday:
○ Green Coffee Intermediate: Deeper dive into green coffee analysis, sourcing, and
market dynamics.
- Thursday:
○ Sensory Skills Foundation: Introduction to sensory evaluation, identifying basictastes and aromas, and using the coffee flavor wheel.
- Friday:
○ Sensory Skills Intermediate: Cupping protocols, advanced sensory analysis, and
identifying common coffee defects through taste.
- Saturday (Weekend):
○ Day off. Optional activities available for an additional price.
- Sunday (Weekend):
○ Day off. Optional activities available for an additional price.
- Monday:
○ Roasting Foundation: Introduction to coffee roasting, basic roast profiles, and
understanding the roasting machine.
- Tuesday:
○ Roasting Intermediate: Advanced roasting techniques, roast curve analysis, and
impact of roast on flavor.
- Wednesday:
○ Brewing Foundation: Principles of coffee brewing, understanding extraction, and
basic brewing methods (e.g., pour-over, French press).
- Thursday:
○ Brewing Intermediate: Advanced brewing techniques, water chemistry, and
optimizing extraction for different coffees.
- Friday:
○ Barista Skills Foundation: Introduction to espresso, milk steaming techniques,
and basic latte art.
○ Program Wrap-up & Certification Review: SCA certification refers to certifications offered by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). These certifications focus on various aspects of the coffee industry, from green coffee and roasting to brewing and barista skills, and are recognized globally as professional standards.
- Saturday (Departure Prep):
○ Last day of the program. Students can stay overnight.
- Sunday (Departure Day):
○ Students must check out latest on this day.
All graduates receive a completion certificate that qualifies them for:
- Employment as a barista
- Entry-level roles in roasting or sourcing
- Specialty cafe startups
- Further SCA training or certifications
Our alumni join a growing network of coffee professionals who respect origin, craft with care, and brew with purpose.
- Accommodation in Addis Ababa and Kaffa
- Daily meals
- Local transportation
- All course materials and certification
