What is a Q-grade and why does it matter?

Most coffee is sold on description alone. Rich. Bold. Smooth. These words mean nothing without a standard behind them. A Q-grade is that standard.

The Coffee Quality Institute certifies professional Q-graders to evaluate coffee using the Specialty Coffee Association cupping protocol — a 100-point scoring system that measures fragrance, aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, uniformity, clean cup, sweetness, and overall impression.

A score of 80 or above qualifies as specialty grade. A score of 85 or above is considered exceptional. A score in the high 80s places a coffee in the top tier globally.

Both Novelo flagship lots were evaluated on June 14, 2026 at an SCA Premier Training Campus in Ontario — one of the only SCA Premier Training Campuses in Ontario — by a certified professional Q-grader and approved by a certified CQI Q-Instructor.

The Mist · Honey Wash scored 88.25. The Dawn scored 87.5. We publish the full results, every attribute, every score, every cupper's note, on our Q-grade page.

Because the number is only meaningful when you can see exactly how it was reached.