Opo Coffee

Home Espresso
2026-08-16 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-08-01 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-07-26 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-07-21 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-07-19 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-07-17 13:00 - 14:45 (America/New_York) | Opo Coffee Training Lab, 314 E. Howard Street, Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
This practical workshop is perfect for those who have a home espresso machine and would like to brew better shots and understand how barista technique affects taste in the cup. During the class, you’ll learn the basics of espresso extraction and work on things like grind adjustment, distribution, and tamping, learning on commercial equipment and Breville home machines. Our experienced trainers will guide you through the process, providing tips and tricks to help you sharpen your home barista skills.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 6 students
Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer

Latte Art Basics
2026-08-15 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-08-15 10:00 - 11:45, 2026-08-10 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-08-09 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-08-02 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-08-01 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-07-26 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-07-19 13:00 - 14:45 and 3 more dates
Whether you’re just getting started as a barista, have an espresso machine at home, or simply want to learn latte art technique for fun, this hands-on class is a great introduction to basic latte art. You’ll get direct instruction and practice using commercial or home espresso equipment to get one step better in pouring latte art – whether that’s starting with a simple heart, or improving technique for more consistent milk texture for your more advanced pours. No previous experience required.
Maximum Class Size: 6 students
Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer

Taste Like a Pro
2026-08-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-07 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-07-25 14:30 - 16:15, 2026-07-05 10:00 - 11:30
Taste Like a Pro!
Have you ever wondered how baristas are able to rattle off incredibly specific descriptors for your coffee? Or how those flavor notes ended up on your bag of coffee? Well, if so, this class is for you! In this session we will discuss the basics of sensory analysis, how to taste like a coffee professional, and how to describe what you experience. We will also get a chance to participate in a coffee cupping, which is the process that coffee pros use to analyze a coffee. Come ready to drink lots of coffee!
Each ticket includes a FREE bag of Opo Upside beans!
Maximum Class Size: 8 students
Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer

SCA Brewing Foundation
2026-08-05 08:00 - 15:30, 2026-07-08 08:00 - 15:30
This course introduces the learner to the different methods of brewing coffee. The learner will receive theoretical and practical hands-on instruction for a range of devices including various pourover cones, French press, siphon, Aeropress, Clever brewer, and more. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to prepare a tasty brew based on an understanding of the essential brewing elements and an analysis of their brew results.
There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here.
Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 6 students
Class Duration: 7 hours
Instructor: Jonathan Pascual, Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes.
Refunds and Rescheduling:

30+ days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge.
15–29 days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee.
Within 14 days of the course start:
Cancellations and rescheduling are no longer possible and are not eligible for a refund.

SCA Barista Skills Foundation
2026-08-04 08:00 - 15:30, 2026-07-07 08:00 - 15:30
This course allows learners to gain an introductory understanding of the coffee itself as well as foundational skills required to set a grinder, make espressos, foam and texture milk and latte art techniques as per SCA quality standards, while implementing health and safety practices and customer service. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to conduct key foundational tasks of a barista.
There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here.
Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 5 students
Class Duration: 7.5 hours
Instructor: Joel Ballard, Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes.
Refunds and Rescheduling:

30+ days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge.
15–29 days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee.
Within 14 days of the course start:
Cancellations and rescheduling are no longer possible and are not eligible for a refund.

SCA Introduction to Coffee
2026-08-03 08:00 - 14:30
Part of the SCA Coffee Skills Program, Introduction to Coffee is open to coffee enthusiasts and specialty coffee professionals alike. Intro to Coffee is a comprehensive crash course in the specialty coffee industry. It charts coffee’s journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity that it is today. This course gives a general overview of the specialty coffee supply chain and explores topics such as history and cultivation, variables that affect coffee quality, basics of sensory analysis, fundamentals of roasting, factors of coffee freshness, and principles of brewing. Learners will also discuss the importance of water quality, equipment cleanliness, and maintenance.
In the Opo Coffee training lab, this interactive course also includes a live coffee roasting demo and coffee cupping. There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here.
Lunch and validated parking included in the course fee.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 7 students
Class Duration: 6.5 hours
Instructor: Joel Ballard, Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes.
Refunds and Rescheduling:

30+ days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge.
15–29 days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee.
Within 14 days of the course start:
Cancellations and rescheduling are no longer possible and are not eligible for a refund.

SCA Brewing Intermediate
2026-07-27 08:00 - 2026-07-28 15:30
The Brewing Intermediate course builds on the concepts and skills introduced in the Foundation course. It is ideal for someone who has brewing experience and wants to further explore how to improve coffee quality. This course covers a wide range of topics, including an exploration of the brewing process in terms of device usage; extraction order and wetting; the essential elements of brewing and their individual influence on the final cup; the scientific measurement of extracted coffee strength and charting a coffee’s extraction; analysis of brewed coffee and espresso and adjustments to consider in order to deliver a correctly extracted, well-balanced cup; and the importance of cleaning and maintenance. A written exam tests intermediate course knowledge while a practical exam assesses the learner’s ability to Identify strength and extraction differences in brewed coffee; prepare brews from different devices and diagnose how to correct the recipe for a poorly brewed coffee from an automatic filter brewer. There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course.
Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here.
Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 3 students
Class Duration: 2 sessions, 7.5 hours/session
Instructor: Jonathan Pascual, Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes.
Refunds and Rescheduling:

30+ days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge.
15–29 days before the course start:
You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee.
Within 14 days of the course start:
Cancellations and rescheduling are no longer possible and are not eligible for a refund.

SCA Roasting Foundation
2026-07-24 08:00 - 15:30
The Roasting Foundation course gives the learner an understanding of the roasting process, including the physical changes that take place during the process, and how to control sensory aspects of the coffee by roasting light or dark. Learners will also gain an understanding of the basic structure of the roasting machine, and general maintenance and fire prevention. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to follow instructions, given by the trainer, for three different roasts and record relevant data and observations per roast using a suitable roast log.
There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here.
Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee.
Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class!
Maximum Class Size: 4 students
Class Duration: 7.5 hours
Instructor: Chris Avirett, Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes.
Refunds and Rescheduling

30+ days before the course start:You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge.
15–29 days before the course start:You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee.
Within 14 days of the course start:Cancellations and rescheduling are no longer possible and are not eligible for a refund.

Choose Your Own Adventure
2026-07-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-20 10:00 - 12:00
A flexible, private two-hour session for one to five people. Choose any topic from our existing classes, from latte art to home espresso to coffee tasting, and enjoy a focused, hands-on workshop tailored to your group. Perfect for small teams, friends, or anyone who wants a personalized learning experience in the Opo Training Lab.
After you add the ticket to your cart, let us know what topic you’d like to cover!
Your ticket purchase is for ONE PRIVATE SESSION, for up to five people.
Instructors:
Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer
Jonathan Pascual, Opo Founder & Authorized SCA Trainer
