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MILAN, ITALY – Milan is set to host a landmark event for the future of specialty coffee in Europe. From October 24 to 29, 2025, immediately following the HostMilano international trade fair, the first session in Italy—and one of the very first in the world—of the Evolved Q Grader course will be held.
The event, in English language, will be hosted by Sevengrams, a leading name in Milan’s specialty coffee scene. Founded by the Mauro sisters and enriched by the expertise of Chiara Bergonzi, Sevengrams is also one of the city’s most accredited training centers. The course will take place at their Lot Zero Roastery, which is next to to the Coffee Studio 7Gr on Via Valparaiso.
This six-day intensive training and certification marks an epic evolution in the field of sensory evaluation, led by two prominent figures in the industry: Roukiat Delrue and Davide Cobelli.
A new global standard for coffee quality
The Evolved Q Grader represents the latest and most advanced certification from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), designed to replace and modernize the previous Q Grader system. The heart of this evolution is the integration of the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), a holistic evaluation system that moves beyond the concept of a single score to analyze a coffee’s value in all its dimensions.
This is not a course for beginners; it is aimed at experienced coffee professionals who wish to become a global benchmark in quality evaluation, equipped with a modern and scientific mindset.
Learning objectives: what participants will master
During the six-day course, participants will refine their skills through a rigorous program of theoretical lessons, practical activities, and exams. The curriculum is designed to transform a professional’s approach to evaluation, providing concrete tools to operate effectively in today’s market.
Key objectives include:
- Mastering the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA): Participants will learn to explain the fundamental theoretical concepts of the CVA and accurately apply the system’s four key assessments to create a comprehensive “identity card” for any coffee:
- Physical Assessment: In-depth analysis of green coffee to classify its color, moisture, size, and defects, understanding their impact on the final value.
- Descriptive Assessment: Mapping the sensory profile to precisely identify aromatic notes, taste, and mouthfeel, using standardized and objective language.
- Affective Assessment: Evaluating the perceived quality and potential of a coffee, moving beyond personal taste to simulate the preferences of specific markets and customer segments.
- Extrinsic Assessment: Documenting and valorizing the “hidden” attributes that create value, such as origin, traceability, the producer’s story, certifications, and sustainability practices.
- Developing sensory self-awareness: Applying a high degree of self-awareness to distinguish personal preferences from an objective evaluation, learning to identify a coffee’s value for different clients and markets.
- Discrimination skills and flaw analysis: Refining sensory discrimination skills through triangulations and specific tests, while recognizing and classifying roasting and processing defects.
- Strategic implementation: Acquiring the skills to advise on the strategic implementation of the CVA in professional contexts, from roasting to importing.
Upon successfully passing all exams, participants will earn the prestigious Evolved Q Grader license, a milestone demonstrating excellence and competence in coffee evaluation on a global level.
Two world-renowned instructors
Guiding this advanced training course will be two world-renowned professionals:
- Roukiat Delrue: With over 14 years of experience, Roukiat is a key figure in the global coffee landscape. She has served as Q Services Manager and Director of Q for the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), a Head Judge for World Coffee Events (WCE) competitions, and has been an instructor in countless producing and consuming countries. She has been a key contributor to the development of CVA as a consultant. Her deep knowledge of the supply chain and multilingual expertise (French, English, Spanish) make her one of the most respected trainers in the world.
- Davide Cobelli: Founder of the Coffee Training Academy, the 2020 Italian Roasting Champion, and SCA Italy’s National Coordinator from 2022 to 2024. Davide is an SCA Trainer for all modules, an international judge for the WCE circuit, and a consultant for leading companies in the sector. His career is dedicated to spreading the culture of quality coffee, with a focus that unites technical training with a profound knowledge of the supply chain.
Information and Contact
This course represents a unique opportunity for Italian and European professionals to access the highest level of training in the world of coffee.
For more information, pricing, and registration, please contact the trainers directly:
- Davide Cobelli: info@davidecobelli.coffee
- Roukiat Delrue: Roukiat@gmail.com
Or at this link: https://forms.gle/HcUSWicftEoietfUA
