CQI Marks International Coffee Day with New Chapter in Coffee Quality Journey
Dubai – Qahwa World
On International Coffee Day 2025, the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) announced a historic transition: the conclusion of its Quality Evaluation Program after more than two decades and the launch of a new chapter focused on advancing coffee quality and sustainability.
Michael Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer of CQI, emphasized the milestone: “As we turn the page, I want to honor the nearly 20,000 people who have earned Q Grader Certification since the inception of the program: you are the vanguard in a global movement for coffee quality. And I want to specially recognize the Q Instructors who have trained and certified all those Q Graders: you are pioneers who have held a light to the darkness, and your work helped to catalyze a revolution in coffee quality in the span of a single generation.”
A Fresh Look for a New Era
To mark this transition, CQI unveiled a refreshed logo and website, designed to evoke coffee’s origins. The institute underlined that while its visual identity has evolved, its mission remains constant: improving the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it.
Focus on Post-Harvest Processing
Sheridan highlighted the growing importance of CQI’s Post-Harvest Processing (PHP) Program. In September alone, CQI welcomed 14 new instructors for the PHP Generalist Course, expanded its training pool, and set a course for releasing an all-new PHP Professional Course by the end of 2025. Preparations are also underway for the PHP Expert Course in 2026, with students, instructors, mentors, and guest lecturers already engaged.
“Innovation in post-harvest processing has never been more important in the coffee market,” Sheridan noted. “Our PHP Program is helping reduce risk and expand opportunity for everyone in coffee supply streams.”
Global Partnerships and Impact
CQI also announced new partnerships to expand its global reach. In collaboration with Peet’s Coffee in the U.S., CQI will deliver post-harvest processing education to suppliers, while a partnership with Sinar in the U.K. will enhance access to advanced processing technology.
Additionally, the CQI Global Coffee Fund has awarded support for several initiatives:
Let’s Talk Coffee in Peru
Scholarships for participants in the Women-Powered Coffee Summit (WPCS) in Mexico
Staffing for the Taste of Harvest in Burundi
Engaging the Coffee Community
As CQI transitions beyond the Q program, Sheridan underscored the importance of dialogue with the global coffee community. CQI will convene producer-focused discussions at major events, including the WPCS in Mexico and Sintercafé in Costa Rica, and will launch a global survey in October to gather input from stakeholders worldwide.
“I hope you will take time to respond and make your voice heard,” Sheridan said. “Coffee needs your leadership.”
With this transition, CQI signals a future shaped by collaboration, innovation, and a continued commitment to quality at every stage of the coffee value chain.
