Masters of Coffee
The Leading Education and Certification Program for Coffee
+1 310 467 5582
Coffee@WhiskeyMasters.org
Huntington Beach, California
The Masters of Coffee education and certification program was established in 2021 with the goal to offer a legitimate, global, consistent and comprehensive certification that signals true coffee expertise carried by all its charterholders.
The Advisory Board of Masters of Coffee consists of some of the most respected professionals in the world of coffee.
The Masters of Coffee Advisory Board
The founding board members include, in alphabetical order:
Dan Cox has earned coffee industry recognition for his extensive knowledge and lifetime of work: serving as a three-term president of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and chairman of both the Coffee Development Group and Coffee Quality Institute. He was honored as the SCAA’s “Man of the Year” and later earned the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Cox continues to offer senior tasting expertise as a licensed Q Grader. He resides in Vermont.
Darrin Daniel, Executive Director at the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, has worked as a coffee buyer for Whole Foods / Allegro Coffee and also as Head Green Coffee Buyer for Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Active in the coffee industry for over 30 years, Darrin has been involved in all parts of the value chain. Much of his last 15 years has been dedicated to working with producers to create enlightened buying mechanisms that assist the farmers in higher prices for their coffee. The Alliance for Coffee Excellence owns and operated Cup of Excellence in Portland.
Kenneth Davids is the editor, chief writer and co-founder of Coffee Review. He has been involved with coffee since the early 1970s and has published several books on coffee, including the influential ‘Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying’, which has sold nearly 250,000 copies. His latest book '21st Century Coffee: A Guide' was released in 2022. Ken’s workshops and seminars on coffee sourcing, evaluation and communication have been featured at professional coffee meetings on six continents. He was awarded a Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Coffee Literature by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Ken lives in the San Francisco Bay.
Simon Hsieh is a roast master, a green coffee specialist, and a professional translator for coffee books. Based in the most concentrated region of coffee roast masters, Simon has developed advanced tasting, brewing and roasting techniques over 22 years of intense industry training. Simon has been the founder and owner of Soaring Phoenix Trading, an importer specializing in high quality coffee, regularly earning top ratings on Coffee Review. Simon Hsieh lives in Taiwan.
Sunalini Menon has spent more than 50 years in coffee in the arena of quality and has worked as Director (Quality) at the Coffee Board of India, as quality evaluator, trainer, professor, coffee blender, developer of green coffee brands, judge in coffee competitions, writer of coffee articles and even as a coffee guide to new coffee entrepreneurs. She is heading the sensory lab for coffee "CoffeeLab", which she helped to set up in 1996 in Bangalore, India. She serves on the Board of Trustees at the Coffee Quality Institute.
Spencer Turer began his coffee career in 1994 and has held management positions in supply chain/trading, product development, quality control, retail marketing, and café operations. He is a founding member of the Roasters Guild and led the creation of the Roaster Certification Program. Spencer is a licensed Q Grader, received the SCAA Outstanding Contribution to the Association Award, an Ambassador for the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, and founder of the Coffee Writers Guild. He is an educator, competition judge, coffee writer, and technical editor. He is on the Editorial Boards for ROAST Magazine and Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I become a Master of Coffee?
The Master of Coffee (MoC) designation is the highest internationally-recognized qualification in coffee. Anyone who has passed the Certified Coffee Specialist (CCS) exam may enroll as a candidate for MoC certification. After passing both the written and oral examinations of the MoC program, a candidate is recognized as a Master of Coffee.
How are the exams organized?
Certified Coffee Specialist (CCS) is a self-study program culminating in a one-hour, 100-question online exam. Exam dates are posted well in advance and available weekly. You may choose any upcoming exam date you like, as long as you set a date within 18 months of your enrollment.
Study materials are provided to each candidate after registration, and the exam consists only of material covered by the study guide. The exam can taken from anywhere in the world, provided internet and phone connections are available. Candidates of the Master-level program are tested in person once per year by a panel of examiners in Los Angeles.
What are the benefits of the Master of Coffee study program and its certifications?
Several reputable certifications in wine, spirits and specialty food products exist. Until now, no similarly rigorous coffee education and certification program had been offered by a global organization. The Certified Coffee Specialist and Master of Coffee designations represent a new standard in the world of fine food and beverages.
Certification allows professionals, trade members and private enthusiasts alike to objectively demonstrate specialized knowledge and skill. They gives evidence achievement and credibility to employers, to the public, and to oneself.
What is the relationship, if any, between the “Master of Coffee” program and the Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, Master of Scotch, and Master of Whiskey programs?
The “Master Sommelier” and “Master of Wine” programs are currently the most prestigious titles in the field of wine, and they are offered by separate organizations that are not affiliated with ours (though we are affiliated with individual Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine; see our Advisory Board). The “Master of Scotch” and “Master of Whiskey” certifications are given by an organization which is related to ours, The Council of Whiskey Masters.
How much prior experience is necessary to enroll in
the study program and successfully pass the exam?
Our Level I study program is designed to build your knowledge without significant prior knowledge. It offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to the world of coffee, covering all essential aspects. No blind tasting, coffee-making or communication skills are required to be demonstrated during the course of Level I certification. (However, broad experience is a great advantage, and Level I study may serve as a review for very experienced candidates.)
If you continue through the study program, Level II builds on the essential knowledge required in Level 1 and further requires significant knowledge, skill and experience. Master-level candidates must demonstrate practical competency in tasting, describing and evaluating coffee; in the methods of coffee-making; and in effective communication.
Is Masters of Coffee dependent on any companies, including growers, distributors, roasters or retailers of coffee?
Masters of Coffee is 100% independent.
Masters of Coffee is a partner organization to The Sommelier Company, a global specialty firm for wine & whiskey expertise.
The Sommelier Company board consists of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and other wine & spirits specialists.
Masters of Coffee is also a partner to The Council of Whiskey Masters, a global certification body for Scotch and Bourbon.
The Council board consists of more than 30 highly respected industry veterans from the world of spirits.
