SCA Coffee Skills Program – Barista Skills Foundation & Intermediate

Amsterdam Coffee Lab – Weesp (Amsterdam)

Small groups • Personal guidance • Deep coffee knowledge

Unlock your barista potential with the globally recognised Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Coffee Skills Program at Amsterdam Coffee Lab. Whether you’re beginning your barista journey or ready to elevate your craft, our Foundation and Intermediate levels give you the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skillset to brew like a true professional. We run this course as a Foundation-Intermediate combo. 

Even though you can choose to participate in only one of the two levels (or tackle the intermediate later), we strongly advise taking this 3-day combo. It provides ample time for learning, the chance to revisit prior experiences during the course, and the ability to dedicate more time to specific topics if required. This will ultimately boost your learning progress. 

🇳🇱 🇬🇧 Our courses are thought english & dutch. We adapt to the needs of the students and group. Most terms are english, so this is easier as base language but we do translate and make sure all students understan everything. It is possible to do theory exam in the language of your choice. 

At our coffee lab in Weesp, you’ll learn directly from Wouter Brunia — the CoffeeNose 👃, an internationally experienced trainer, sensory specialist, and educator with students from 32+ countries. Coffee here isn’t just brewed; it’s understood, analysed, experimented with, and taught with passion rooted in science.

We keep our groups intentionally small, ensuring personal attention, individual feedback, and plenty of hands-on practice on professional equipment.

☕ Barista Skills Foundation

Perfect for newcomers and home baristas

Build a solid foundation in barista techniques according to official SCA standards:

• How to set and adjust a grinder
• Espresso theory & extraction basics
• Steps of espresso preparation
• Milk frothing & texturing
• Introduction to latte art
• Workflow & cleanliness for consistent results

Gain the essential skills every barista needs, taught with clarity, patience, and hands-on coaching.

☕ Barista Skills Intermediate

For baristas ready to level up their craft

Deepen your understanding of espresso, milk, workflow, and the wider café environment:

• Advanced grinder adjustment and extraction control
• Sensory awareness: how origin, varietal, processing, roast and grind texture influence flavour
• Milk chemistry & advanced steaming
• Latte art development
• Workflow efficiency & quality control
• Cost management & intro to café operations
• Drink building & customer service excellence

This level challenges you to think, taste, evaluate and correct — the real skills of a professional barista.

🎓 Globally Recognised Certification

Upon successful completion, you will receive:

• SCA Barista Skills Foundation Certificate
• SCA Barista Skills Intermediate Certificate
• Certificate of completion from Amsterdam Coffee Lab

These certifications are globally respected in the specialty-coffee world and a strong asset for hospitality careers.

🔍 Learning Outcomes

• Operate and maintain espresso machines & grinders
• Understand how water quality, origin, varietal and processing affect flavour
• Perform advanced espresso techniques
• Master milk steaming for cappuccino, flat white, and latte
• Create consistent latte art patterns
• Build drinks professionally
• Deliver quality service in real café workflows

🌍 Why Train at Amsterdam Coffee Lab?

• Small groups → individual coaching, deeper learning
• Expert trainer → Wouter Brunia (CoffeeNose 👃), sensory specialist & educator
• Scientific approach → real extraction theory, taste development, and sensorial training
• Students from 32+ countries → trusted worldwide
• Professional equipment & specialty coffees roasting & Brewing on 100% renewable energy

At Amsterdam Coffee Lab, coffee passion is rooted in knowledge, experience, and precision — and we’re excited to share it with you.

📍 Location

Amsterdam Coffee Lab

WB.coffee — Weesp / Amsterdam

(Free parking & train station nearby)

Questions?

Having a good time, encountering challenges, and gaining knowledge through practice is our natural way of learning.

Our workshops are interactive and engaging, so if you're excited to connect with fellow coffee enthusiasts, you've found the perfect place at our Coffee Lab. 

Wouter Brunia, the CoffeeNose👃, is a highly respected coffee educator whose passion for sharing knowledge inspires others to reach their full potential in the world of coffee.

Whether you're just starting out or have been brewing for years, you'll discover how to enhance your skills and #extractmore. 

It's a promise! 🤝

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Learn more

At Amsterdam Coffee Lab, we host workshops that are both inclusive and conducted in a welcoming environment. We appreciate that everyone is unique and has different ways of learning.  

We believe in a hands-on approach to learning, where mistakes are stepping stones to growth, and the only question that is truly foolish is the one that isn’t asked.

Windmills in Weesp: Left De Eendragt, right De Vriendschap  

Our workshops are a perfect match for exploring Weesp and its picturesque area. You can hop on a train and be in Amsterdam in just around 16 minutes.

Check our local tips ⬇

Visit Weesp & Amsterdam

In the evenings and on weekends, parking is available for free right outside our entrance. During business hours, we have a limited number of parking spots. 

The Weesp NS train station, which includes a P&R facility (parking lot), is just a 5-minute walk from here.

You can easily reach us by bycicle from Amsterdam, Almere, the Gooi, and nearby locations. We also have charging options available for your e-bike. ​

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Reserve your parking spot

Imagine hosting this workshop, or a tailored training session, right in your own home or office! It's a fantastic way to engage and inspire your family, friends, colleagues, or clients. Don't miss the chance to create unforgettable memories together!

We will assess your current setup and assist you in enhancing your coffee experience. This service starts at 150 (not including travel expenses).

There is a wide range of possibilities. Coffee tasting can be enhanced with sensory smell and taste activities like chocolate tasting, tea tasting, whisky tasting, and more.

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Let us inspire you