Washington, DC — Since 1995

Don't just serve coffee.
Master the craft behind every cup.

Counter Culture Coffee Training Center delivers hands-on, industry-leading education for baristas, roasters, and coffee professionals — from fundamentals to green coffee buying.

30+
Years
200+
Courses
NC
HQ
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Our Programs

Training built for every stage of your coffee career

Whether you're opening your first café or refining your sensory palate, our curriculum is designed by working professionals who live and breathe specialty coffee.

Barista Fundamentals

Master espresso extraction, milk texturing, and workflow — the essential skills every barista needs to deliver consistent, exceptional cups.

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Sensory & Cupping

Develop your palate through structured cupping sessions. Learn to identify origin characteristics, processing methods, and quality defects with confidence.

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Roasting Mastery

From green bean selection to roast profiling — understand the science and art of roasting, and develop the skills to produce consistent, expressive coffees.

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Green Coffee Buying

Learn to evaluate green coffee at origin, negotiate contracts, and build sourcing relationships — the business side of specialty coffee.

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Business of Coffee

Open, manage, and scale a coffee business with practical training in operations, menu design, staffing, and customer experience.

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Advanced Certifications

Take your expertise further with Q Grader preparation, SCA-aligned curricula, and advanced sensory science for serious professionals.

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Coffee training session at Counter Culture Training Center
About Us

Education rooted in real-world coffee experience

Counter Culture Coffee Training Center is the educational arm of one of America's most respected specialty coffee companies. Based in Raleigh, NC with a training facility in Washington, DC, we bring the same rigor and passion to education that we bring to every bag of coffee we roast.

Our programs are designed and taught by working professionals — Q Graders, certified roasters, and experienced baristas who have spent years at every level of the coffee chain, from farm gate to customer's cup.

We believe that great coffee starts with great knowledge. Whether you're a barista looking to sharpen your technique, a café owner building a team, or a roaster refining your craft — our training meets you where you are and takes you further.

Hands-On Learning
Practical skills, not just theory
Industry Experts
Taught by working professionals
Small Cohorts
Personalized attention guaranteed
Career Focused
Skills that translate to results
The Training Experience

A space designed for serious learning

Our training facility in Washington's Shaw neighborhood is equipped with professional-grade gear and designed to simulate real café and roastery environments.

Professional Equipment

La Marzocco, Slayer, and top roasters — train on the same machines you'll use in the field.

Shaw Neighborhood

Located at 1781 Florida Ave NW in one of DC's most vibrant cultural corridors — easy to reach, full of energy.

Intimate Class Sizes

Small groups ensure every student gets direct feedback and hands-on practice throughout the session.

Flexible Scheduling

Full-day workshops, weekend intensives, and custom corporate sessions — we fit your schedule.

Coffee training classroom
Espresso extraction practice
Cupping session

Ready to elevate your coffee craft?

Join professionals who chose to invest in their skills. Our next sessions are filling up — secure your place today.

Contact Us

Let's start a conversation

Have questions about our programs, scheduling, or pricing? Reach out — we're happy to help you find the right training path.

Address
1781 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: By appointment

Send us a message

We'll get back to you within one business day.

Find Us

1781 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009

Located in the heart of Shaw, steps from U Street Metro. Street parking available on surrounding blocks.

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