Training & Certification
Building shared standards and skills across the cacao value chain
Cacao of Excellence offers a range of capacity-building activities, professional training courses and certification pathways designed to strengthen cacao quality systems across the value chain. Based on the Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour, our trainings provide practical knowledge, internationally recognized methodologies and hands-on experience for stakeholders ranging from cacao producers and cooperatives to chocolate manufacturers, quality professionals and laboratories. Through the CoEx Training & Certification framework, participants can also obtain formal recognition of their knowledge and competencies through internationally recognized CoEx credentials, helping strengthen trust, credibility and a common language for cacao quality across the sector.
Building Capacity at Origin
Understanding, improving and valuing cacao quality at origin.
Training & tailored programmes
Delivered at origin or at our lab in Perugia.
View all options →Sensory Evaluation
Evaluating cacao quality using the CoEx methodology.
Training options
Lab Processing
Preparing standardised cacao mass samples for sensory evaluation.
Training options
Tailoring Across All Pathways
Every CoEx training can be adapted, from a focused introduction to a fully co-designed programme built with your organisation.
Cooperative to national scale
From tailored cooperative training to community programmes and national quality systems, scaled to fit your objectives and partners.
View tailoring optionsCustom tasting & calibration
Custom tasting sessions, calibration support, or in-house delivery of the CoEx sensory methodology for your team.
Get in touchFocused to advanced support
Tailored for producer organisations, companies, quality teams and laboratories, from focused introductions to more advanced support.
Get in touch
Designing a Programme Together
Whatever the pathway, we combine and adapt training around your objectives, partners and timeline.
Get in touchLatest News
First Cacao of Excellence Core Training in Sensory Evaluation to be Held at the CoEx R&D Lab
The first Cacao of Excellence (CoEx) Core Training in Sensory Evaluation will take place in October 2026 at… [+ more]
Indonesian Researchers Strengthen Capacity Around Cacao Flavour Evaluation and Quality Assessment
As cacao-producing countries increasingly seek to strengthen their own capacity around flavour evaluation, processing innovation and quality… [+ more]