Being a Q Professional
When the Q Professional Exam was announced in 2022, he hoped to get a scholarship from the ACDI/VOCA-PhilCAFE project. But his dream of being a licensed Q Grader was not yet granted to him. He patiently waited for his opportunity and continued his coffee activities in the region.
At the Philippine Coffee Expo 2023, ACDI/VOCA Chief of Party TJ Ryan announced that the PhilCAFE project would soon end in the Philippines. De Vera felt discouraged and lost interest in coffee after hearing this announcement. He gave up on his dream of becoming a Q Robusta Grader.
He felt a surge of hope when Emeline Superioridad-Sabado added him, along with other candidates, to the "Q Grader Exam" group chat on Messenger. He sensed that he had a chance to be selected. He was right, and ACDI/VOCA generously covered the half of the tuition. He paid for the remaining half with the full support of his wife.
He felt a surge of hope when Emeline Superioridad-Sabado added him, along with other candidates, to the "Q Grader Exam" group chat on Messenger. He sensed that he had a chance to be selected, and he was right. With the full support of his wife, De Vera got everything ready and paid half of his tuition, while the ACDI/VOCA generously covered the remaining half.
The Coffee Quality Institute offers the Q Robusta Grader Course and Exam, a rigorous six-day program that trains and tests students on the qualities and characteristics of Robusta coffee.
Q Robusta Graders are trained to use standardized methods and criteria to evaluate Robusta coffee, such as aroma, body, acidity, sweetness, balance, and aftertaste. They can also identify and quantify coffee defects and communicate coffee characteristics using common industry terminology. Q Robusta Graders are certified for three years and need to renew their certification by taking an accredited calibration test.
De Vera experienced a mix of joy and sorrow as he faced a lot of challenges. He struggled with financial difficulties and felt out of sync with his fellow students in the Q Robusta Grader class. De Vera’s relentless pursuit and passion for coffee culminated in his success as he aced the Q Robusta Grader exam.
"Passing the course was essential for me, as I could not afford to repeat it. I had made a vow to myself that I would only return home as a licensed Q Robusta Grader," he said.
He celebrated his achievement with his wife and SideNotes staff in their cozy café. He has not yet experienced the pressure of being a Q Robusta Grader, but he faces the pressure of meeting expectations when tasting coffee. He has to provide detailed commentary on every coffee he tastes, which is a daunting task for him.
He is eager to share his insights from taking the Q Robusta course and exam. He hopes to give back to the community by collaborating with local coffee farmers and other industry stakeholders.