The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is globally recognized for its dedication to elevating the art and science of coffee. Whether you’re a barista, coffee roaster, café owner, or simply a coffee enthusiast looking to refine your skills, SCA courses offer an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and expertise in the coffee industry. Blacksmith Coffee Company proudly offers a variety of SCA-certified courses, hosted by our expert trainer who has successfully trained over 500 baristas across the UAE. With a focus on practical skills, in-depth knowledge, and real-world applications, our courses are designed to empower coffee professionals at every level. Whether you're starting your journey in specialty coffee or aiming to take your expertise to the next level, Blacksmith Coffee Company is your trusted partner in coffee education. Here are the modules we offer:   INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE The Introduction to Coffee course is perfect for anyone new to the world of specialty coffee. It traces coffee’s origins from Ethiopia to its development into a global commodity. This course provides a broad overview of the specialty coffee supply chain, covering essential topics like coffee history and cultivation, quality-influencing factors, basics of sensory evaluation, roasting fundamentals, coffee freshness, and brewing principles. Learners will also discuss the significance of water quality, equipment cleanliness, and maintenance. An interactive cupping session—a sensory process for assessing coffee quality—is included, giving participants hands-on experience. At the end of the course, there is an online written exam to complete. BARISTA SKILLS Barista Skills provides essential hands-on experience for working behind the espresso bar. It includes training on grinder calibration, espresso extraction, milk texturing for cappuccinos, and latte art. Additionally, it covers key aspects of health and safety, customer service protocols, and basic business practices. Foundation Course: The Barista Skills Foundation course introduces learners to coffee fundamentals and basic barista techniques. It covers grinder calibration, espresso making, milk foaming and texturing, and introductory latte art per SCA standards, with a focus on health, safety, and customer service practices. Learners engage in practical exercises to build core barista skills. A written test evaluates their understanding of the course material. Intermediate Course: The Barista Skills Intermediate course expands upon the Foundation level, ideal for those with basic barista experience seeking to enhance their expertise and take on advanced responsibilities. This course delves deeper into coffee varieties, origin, and processing and how these influence flavor. It also covers key aspects of brew recipe adjustments, such as coffee quantity, grind texture, water quality, and extraction time. Learners develop advanced skills in drink construction, workflow efficiency, sensory analysis, and latte art. The course includes both a written exam on theoretical knowledge and a practical test that assesses skills in grinder calibration, espresso extraction, latte art, and drink preparation. BREWING SKILLS The Brewing courses cover various coffee brewing methods and examine key variables that influence quality. Emphasizing hands-on learning, these courses focus on grind profiles, brewing techniques, measuring coffee strength, and charting extraction levels. Foundation Course: The Brewing Foundation course introduces learners to diverse coffee brewing methods. Participants receive both theoretical and hands-on training using a range of brewing devices, including automatic and manual gravity brewers, as well as other popular brewers in local settings. Through practical activities, learners gain the skills needed to produce flavorful coffee, guided by an understanding of essential brewing elements and the ability to analyze brewing outcomes. A written exam assesses theoretical knowledge based on the Foundation course objectives. Intermediate Course: Building on the Foundation course, the Brewing Intermediate course is suited for those with some brewing experience who seek to enhance coffee quality. This course delves into the brewing process, covering device usage, extraction sequencing, and wetting, along with examining key brewing elements and their impact on flavor. Students learn to measure extracted coffee strength scientifically, chart coffee extraction, analyze brewed coffee and espresso, and make adjustments to achieve a balanced, well-extracted cup. The importance of equipment cleaning and maintenance is also covered. Assessment includes a written exam on course concepts and a practical exam, testing students' ability to identify strength and extraction differences, prepare brews using different devices, and adjust recipes for correcting issues in automatic filter brews. Contact us to schedule your spot: EMAIL US: roastery@blacksmith.ae CALL US: +971 56 503 9834

The global love for matcha, the vibrant green tea powder renowned for its unique flavor, health benefits, and cultural significance, has transcended borders to become a popular choice worldwide. Rooted in Japanese culture, matcha offers a refreshing, earthy taste and a rich antioxidant profile, which has earned it a place in the health and wellness spotlight. Its use ranges from traditional tea ceremonies to trendy modern-day recipes, blending taste and nutrition.   Understanding Matcha Single Origin: Just like single-origin coffee, our matcha comes from one specific region (Uji, Kyoto) known for producing the finest quality green tea. Ceremonial Grade: Similar to specialty-grade coffee, Ceremonial Grade means it’s the highest quality matcha, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Hand Picked: Like selecting the best coffee cherries by hand, our matcha leaves are carefully hand-picked to ensure only the best quality is used.   What To Consider When Choosing a Matcha Supplier Quality Grade: Matcha is categorized into different grades: Ceremonial Grade: Highest quality, used for traditional tea ceremonies and premium beverages. Culinary Grade: Suitable for cooking, baking, and flavored drinks. Ensure the supplier offers the grade that matches your business needs.   Sourcing Transparency: Suppliers who source matcha directly from Japanese tea farms tend to offer better quality.   The Growing Demand for Matcha in the UAE Matcha is fast becoming a staple ingredient in the UAE’s vibrant food and beverage industry, especially within cafes and high-end restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As consumer interest in health, wellness, and cultural experiences continues to rise, matcha is becoming a top choice for restaurants looking to offer trendy, nutritious options. Whether served traditionally or incorporated into creative, modern recipes, matcha offers a unique experience that UAE diners are eager to explore.   Where to Buy Matcha in Dubai and Abu Dhabi At Blacksmith Coffee Company, we offer high-quality, authentic Japanese matcha sourced directly from Japan’s renowned tea-growing regions, ensuring the finest quality for our customers. Our matcha is perfect for various applications—whether it’s creating unique beverages, enriching food recipes, or meeting the increasing demand from health-conscious consumers in cafes and restaurants. We supply cafes, restaurants, and retailers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond, allowing businesses to elevate their menus with premium matcha that captures the essence of Japanese tradition and quality. KNOW MORE   Why Matcha is Trending in the UAE’s Restaurants and Cafes The UAE’s food scene is constantly evolving, with a focus on health-conscious offerings and unique flavors. Matcha’s distinctive taste and health benefits make it a popular choice for culinary innovators. From matcha lattes to desserts and smoothie bowls, cafes and restaurants are embracing this versatile ingredient to satisfy the growing demand for high-quality, trendy food and beverage options.   Contact us for wholesale supply: EMAIL US: roastery@blacksmith.ae CALL US: +971 56 503 9834 VISIT US

Brewing a great espresso starts with choosing the right beans. For that bold, smooth, and balanced shot, consider factors like bean origin, processing, and roasting profile. Here are some selections you might love, each offering its own unique flavor:  Processing  Natural Coffee Let’s begin by understanding what natural processing means. Natural processing is one of the oldest methods of coffee processing that involves several steps. After harvesting, coffee cherries are spread out on raised beds or patios to dry in the sun. Once dried, the cherries are depulped and hulled, producing green coffee for export. When executed correctly, natural processing can yield vibrant and unique flavors, along with a richer body and smooth mouthfeel. As a result, an increasing number of specialty coffee shops and roasters are featuring more natural-processed coffees in their offerings.    Know all our espresso selections here Roasting Profile  Medium Roast Medium roasts have become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, especially as more people recognize that dark roasts can mask the beneficial qualities of coffee and amplify its bitter flavors,” Chiara at Perfect Daily Grind explains. “In contrast, medium roasts promote the caramelization of sugars, leading to a more balanced flavor profile that harmonizes sweetness with acidity. This method reduces the bitter elements, creating a sensory experience that highlights bright, citrusy, and floral notes. Blends Traditionally, blends have been viewed as lower quality compared to single-origin coffees.  However, this narrative is changing, particularly in the realm of specialty coffee. The goal of blending is to achieve consistent and repeatable flavor profiles, creating a more balanced and versatile coffee experience than what a single-origin might provide.  Know all our blends here