From plant science to coffee decisions.

The founder

Fan Xu (徐樊) — Coffee Judgment Consultant, founder of Coffactor. Based in Guangzhou, working with producers and training networks in Yunnan.

Plant science first

A degree in horticulture (China Agricultural University, Bachelor of Agriculture) and an MSc in Botany (University of British Columbia) trained him to read a plant the way a grower does — variety, environment, and processing as causes, not labels. That is why a Coffactor judgment starts with origin and processing, not with a score.

Sensory evaluation, then teaching

He is an SCA Licensed Q Grader (current qualification), obtained the CQI Q Arabica Grader certificate in 2024, and served as a sensory judge at ICT China 2024 and an observer at Cup of Excellence Costa Rica 2026. He is an IIAC M1/M2 Lecturer, authorized to teach the corresponding courses, and a Lecturer in the Yunnan Agricultural University coffee training system, delivering operations, roasting, and tasting courses. Teaching forced the discipline this service runs on: say what you measured, show how you measured it, and separate what you know from what you do not.

Yunnan practice

Yunnan is where the practice meets the origin: training within the university coffee training system, and work with producers and training networks across the province. The Yunnan Terroir Archive — the pilot service line — turns that practice into lot-level records a buyer can use: origin, processing, sensory, and QC, tied to one lot.

Credentials

• Education: Bachelor of Agriculture (Horticulture), China Agricultural University; MSc in Botany, University of British Columbia.
• Coffee assessment: SCA Licensed Q Grader (valid to 2028-05-21); CQI Q Arabica Grader certificate obtained in 2024; SCI Certified Arabica Cupper (not a Q Grader qualification).
• Teaching: IIAC M1/M2 Lecturer, authorized to teach the corresponding courses; Lecturer in the Yunnan Agricultural University coffee training system, delivering operations, roasting, and tasting courses.
• Judging and participation: Sensory judge, ICT China 2024; Observer, Cup of Excellence Costa Rica 2026 (not a judge).
• Professional training: COE Sensory Education Training (completed); WCC Judge Skills Program (participation certificate); CCL brewing-judge training (completed); CSCA course (completed). Preparing for WCC judging certification.
• Project management: PMP and related project-management certificates.

The company