Product Code: TK102

Price: $110.00

Preparing for the rigorous Q-Certification exam? Or simply interested in learning more about the role of organic acids and their impact in coffee quality? 

Then we highly suggest get a hold of our "Organic Acids Taste Kit". 

Developed by coffee scientist Joseph A. Rivera and co-developer of the Q-Certification program, this kit will provide with six (6) of the most common organic acids found in specialty coffee. The protocol which has now become part of the Q-Certification exam, was based on years of research in understanding the role of acids in coffee quality. 

Official Organic Acids Developer

Official Organic Acids Developer

We are the official developers of both the Organic Acids modules as well as the Coffee Quality Institute's - Q-Certification program since its launch in 2000. Over the years we've provided various training materials for students and instructors to successfully carry out the over 22 exams required by the Q exam.

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Q-Grader Breakdown

Q-Grader Breakdown

The Q-Grader consists of over 20 exams.

Of these a critical piece is the ability to identify and differentiate the four most commonly found acids (ie. citric, malic, phosphoric, acetic) in coffee. Testing a student's ability is what is know collectively as the 'matching pairs' exam for the Q-Grader exam.

For more information on the Student vs Instructor Kits click below.

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Q-Acids Exam

Q-Acids Exam

The Organic Acids Kit includes everything you need to re-create the samples tasted during an actual Q-exam and/or SCAA Cuppers Tasters Certificate (CTC).

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Understand the Role of Acids in Coffee

Understand the Role of Acids in Coffee

Acids play an important role in coffee's taste profile and can vary significantly depending on the level of roast. This kit will allow you to experiment with coffee acids to explore the nuances of each acid and its impact on taste.

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All materials included

All materials included

Don't have a degree in chemistry? No worries, we'll provide you with all the technical information on each acid, its importance both before and after roasting.

If you're making the $1,500-$2,500 USD investment to get 'Q-Certified', then we highly recommend you purchase a organic kit to help you practice before enrolling in the course.


Organic Acids Kit / Q-Grader Matching Pairs / Practice Kit

This Instructor Kit is intended for use in a classroom setting or Q-Certification course. Unlike the Student Kit which is only meant for experiments/testing on an individual basis, this larger kit is for use with groups of 12-20 people per session. 

The kit is composed six (6) 125mL bottles of the following acids. 

  • Citric Acid
  • Acetic Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Phosphoric Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Tartaric Acid*

*Tartaric is not found in coffee but is only used here for experimental purposes.

The kit includes a 25ml graduated for easy measuring of acids into coffee.

Instructors using this can run multiple sessions of 12-20 people for a Q-course (or approximately 60-70 students), depending on actual usage.

NOTE: All acids are made of food grade purity and in compliance with the Coffee Quality Institute's Q-Certification standards.

photo credit: @alau314 photo credit: @the_rogue_barista photo credit: @coffee.chemistry
photo credit: @egg_ryo photo credit: @nikosantzaras photo credit: @normanito
photo credit: @the_mookstir

photo credit: @the_rogue_barista

photo credit: @the_rogue_barista

photo credit: @himyjava

photo credit: @himyjava

photo credit: @roger_zapata

photo credit: @eddie_kireeff

photo credit: @ladelostintos

photo credit: @himyjava

photo credit: @roast.cup.repeat

photo credit: @ladelostintos

photo credit: @himyjava

Unfortunately DHL requires extensive documentation for orders shipped to Russia, Venezuela and China.

For these orders we highly suggest you select international USPS, estimated time for delivery is about 7-10 days. 

Please be aware that there may be a slight delay for all international orders due to COVID.  Although we ship all orders within 24 hours, we have no control of the package once it arrives.

Orders can be tracked here:

  • USPS tracking: here 
  • DHL tracking: here