ABOUT SCA
RESEARCH
Coffee is an extraordinarily complex product and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has a long history of conducting and sponsoring research to understand that complexity. SCA's research spans the full arc of the coffee experience: from the chemistry of flavor and the science of sensory perception, to value chain economics and the environmental pressures impacting coffee growing.
Research reports & publications
This research exists to give coffee professionals and businesses the knowledge they need to make more informed decisions, whether that's setting an industry standard, designing an education curriculum, or understanding how the market is innovating for the future. Alongside our scientific work, we publish market reports, survey reports, and industry analyses that track the trends, challenges, and opportunities that define the coffee sector.
Explore reports, studies, and industry insights developed by SCA and research partners across the global coffee community.
These publications cover topics ranging from coffee value systems and sustainability to sensory science, brewing research, and market analysis. Here is a set of recent publications, log-in to your member portal to access the full archive.
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF)
The Coffee Science Foundation (CSF) is the research organization of the Specialty Coffee Association, supporting scientific studies that expand knowledge and drive progress across the coffee industry.
As a nonprofit organization, CSF funds and shares research focused on areas including sensory science, sustainability, consumer behavior, physical sciences, economics, and coffee quality.
Research supported by CSF helps strengthen industry understanding and is shared with the global coffee community through events, publications, and education programs.
Additional resources
Expand your knowledge with guides and research references designed for the specialty coffee community:
Coffee Decoded
A weekly column on science, research, and all things coffee knowledge, exploring topics from coffee species and sweetness to roast level and beyond.
SCA standards
Explore the globally recognized standards that shape the coffee industry, from green coffee grading and roasting to brewing, sensory evaluation, and professional best practices.
25 Magazine
A quarterly publication exploring coffee culture, research, and innovation, featuring stories on coffee-growing regions, sustainability, producers, and the people shaping specialty coffee worldwide.
Get involved in
coffee research
Coffee research grows through collaboration across the specialty coffee community. SCA works with researchers, industry professionals, businesses, and partners to support studies that expand knowledge and create practical impact across the coffee industry.
Whether you are exploring industry insights, supporting scientific research, or applying research through education and standards, SCA research helps strengthen the future of specialty coffee.
