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Green, roast, and brew QC checkpoints

How to establish quality control (QC) checkpoints across the coffee supply chain—from green beans, through roasting, to brewing—to ensure consistency and excellence.

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  • Coffee Basics Nerds
  • 2 min read
Article 1 of 12 in Quality Management & Sensory Programs/
Green, roast, and brew QC checkpoints

Why QC Checkpoints Matter

  • Quality can drift at any stage: green defects, roast inconsistencies, or brewing errors.
  • Structured QC checkpoints provide early detection, reducing waste and protecting brand reputation.

Green Coffee QC

  • Visual Inspection: Check for defects (quakers, insect damage, mold, broken beans).
  • Moisture Content: Target ~10–12%; avoid extremes that affect stability.
  • Water Activity (a-w): Keep below ~0.70 to minimize microbial risk.
  • Sample Roasting & Cupping: Confirm origin character and defect-free profile.
  • Traceability Records: Confirm lot coding, certifications, and supplier specs.

Roast QC

  • Color Measurement (Agtron): Verify roast degree aligns with target.
  • Roast Curve Analysis: Ensure Rate of Rise (RoR) consistent with desired profile.
  • Cupping Feedback: Spot check for baked, scorched, or underdeveloped notes.
  • Batch Records: Document charge temp, end temp, development time ratio.
  • Replicability: Compare multiple batches against reference roast.

Brew QC

  • Recipe Adherence: Verify brew ratio, yield, and time within tolerance.
  • TDS & Extraction Yield: Use refractometer to confirm target ranges.
  • Sensory Evaluation: Daily cuppings or espresso tastings to check flavor balance.
  • Service Consistency: Train baristas to flag anomalies (channeling, sourness, bitterness).
  • Customer Feedback Loop: Monitor real-world satisfaction.

Integration

  • QC checkpoints should connect:
  • Green → confirms raw material quality.
  • Roast → ensures transformation consistency.
  • Brew → validates final cup quality.
  • Failures at one stage inform corrective action at the next.

Summary

QC checkpoints at green, roast, and brew stages form a layered defense against inconsistency. From moisture tests to roast curves to refractometer readings, each checkpoint ensures the coffee journey ends with a consistent, high-quality cup.

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Coffee Basics Nerds

Written by : Coffee Basics Nerds

Expert coffee historians and brewing enthusiasts dedicated to sharing the rich heritage and techniques behind your perfect cup of coffee.

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