SCA BARISTA INTERMEDIATE
COURSE FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
◉ What are the two main species of coffee and what is their percentage
makeup of the global market? Answer: Arabica (70%), Robusta (30%)
◉ What are the parent varieties of robusta? Answer: Typica and
Bourbon
◉ What are the differences between Arabica and Robusta? Answer:
Robusta has double the caffeine
Robusta are round, whereas Arabica are oval
Robusta is grown in lower altitudes
Robusta are more 'hardy' and grow in harsher conditions
Robusta tend to be smaller
Flavour Profile:
Arabica tends to have a lighter body, higher acidity and sweetness
Robusta tends to have a heavier body, lower acidity and an earthy taste
, ◉ What is the natural processing method? Answer: Pick -> sun dry ->
remove skin and flesh
◉ What is the semi-washed/pulped natural method? Answer: Pick ->
remove outer skin -> period of time where mucilage remains exposed
before it is taken off -> sun dry
◉ What is the honey method? Answer: Pick -> remove outer skin ->
period of time where mucilage remains exposed before it is fermented
and removed -> sun dry
Similar to the pulped natural method, but with less water and more flesh
remaining
Colour of honey depends on duration of fermentation process
◉ What is the washed method? Answer: Pick -> removal of skin ->
fermentation which removes the mucilage -> washing to ensure all
mucilage is off -> dry the beans in their parchment
◉ What is the semi-washed method? Answer: Pick -> remove outer skin
-> period of time where mucilage remains exposed before it is fermented
and removed -> sun dry
Similar to pulped natural, however most of mucilage is removed
COURSE FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
◉ What are the two main species of coffee and what is their percentage
makeup of the global market? Answer: Arabica (70%), Robusta (30%)
◉ What are the parent varieties of robusta? Answer: Typica and
Bourbon
◉ What are the differences between Arabica and Robusta? Answer:
Robusta has double the caffeine
Robusta are round, whereas Arabica are oval
Robusta is grown in lower altitudes
Robusta are more 'hardy' and grow in harsher conditions
Robusta tend to be smaller
Flavour Profile:
Arabica tends to have a lighter body, higher acidity and sweetness
Robusta tends to have a heavier body, lower acidity and an earthy taste
, ◉ What is the natural processing method? Answer: Pick -> sun dry ->
remove skin and flesh
◉ What is the semi-washed/pulped natural method? Answer: Pick ->
remove outer skin -> period of time where mucilage remains exposed
before it is taken off -> sun dry
◉ What is the honey method? Answer: Pick -> remove outer skin ->
period of time where mucilage remains exposed before it is fermented
and removed -> sun dry
Similar to the pulped natural method, but with less water and more flesh
remaining
Colour of honey depends on duration of fermentation process
◉ What is the washed method? Answer: Pick -> removal of skin ->
fermentation which removes the mucilage -> washing to ensure all
mucilage is off -> dry the beans in their parchment
◉ What is the semi-washed method? Answer: Pick -> remove outer skin
-> period of time where mucilage remains exposed before it is fermented
and removed -> sun dry
Similar to pulped natural, however most of mucilage is removed
