ROA
6529
Academy Course
SCA Coffee Roasting — Foundation
From green bean to dark roast: heat control, colour curves, and the craft of transformation.
Format
In person · Online
Duration
1 Day
Level
Foundation
Next Cohort
26 September 2026
What You'll Learn
Eight core competencies to master in this course.
1
Understand green coffee: sourcing, processing, storage, preparation.
2
Master the roasting curve: heat, airflow, development time, crack points.
3
Recognize first and second crack: what they mean, why they matter.
4
Control roast color from light to dark: using the colour wheel and tasting.
5
Roast multiple origins and taste the difference: how roast affects origin character.
6
Develop roasting intuition: adjusting heat in real time based on bean feedback.
7
Understand roaster equipment: drum, fluid bed, and small-batch mechanics.
8
Leave confident to roast coffee at home or begin professional roasting training.
Who It's For
- Home enthusiasts who want to roast their own coffee.
- Café professionals curious about the roasting side of specialty coffee.
- Anyone interested in the full coffee journey from origin to cup.
- Baristas who want to understand how their beans were roasted.
Prerequisites
- None — Foundation assumes zero roasting experience.
- Comfort being around heat and the smell of roasting coffee.
- The Introduction to Coffee course is recommended but not required.
The Instructor
Maryam Tabatabaei
Authorized SCA Premier Trainer · Q-Arabica GraderTaught by Maryam.
Maryam is an Authorized SCA Premier Trainer and a Q-Arabica Grader certified under the SCA Q Coffee System (formerly the Coffee Quality Institute) — one of the few practitioners in the United Arab Emirates who holds both credentials at once.
She placed fourth at the HB Best Batch Roasting Championship (Feb 2026), judged the UAE National Roasting Championship (Jan 2026), and presented at Gulfood 2026’s Specialty Coffee Stage. Cohorts in her studio are kept to six learners — closer to a master class than a campus.
“I will not teach you what to think about coffee. I will teach you how to taste it for yourself.”
SCA Authorized TrainerQ-Arabica Grader · SCAUAE Roasting Championship Judge4th · HB Best Batch RoastingGulfood 2026 · Specialty Stage
Frequently Asked
Can I roast at home after this course?
Yes — with a home roaster (popcorn machine, dedicated roaster, or drum roaster). We'll advise on equipment suitable for home use.
What about the smoke?
Roasting generates chaff and smoke. Home roasting outdoors or with ventilation is key.
Next Step