Barista
What does it mean to be a Barista?
A Barista's specific area of focus is coffee, but being a Barista in practice requires far more than just knowing how to make a latte. To succeed as a coffee professional requires an understanding that the root of the career is equal parts coffee... and service.
A successful cafe is usually extremely busy and will often have to run with a small team to ensure profitability. It is rare that a barista only makes coffee while at work, they are an intricate part of a team and frequently need to assist with other tasks in the cafe. Cleaning, stocking, stock control, customer service, and possibly even food prep, could be required of someone in the role of a Barista. Having a friendly and open attitude while working is also vital for the role.
To truly succeed in this industry a Barista will need to incorporate these four core values into their day-to-day operations:
1. Theoretical/Understanding -
To consistently deliver good coffee beverages you will need to understand what coffee is, how it is made, what makes it bitter, sour, or sweet, and how to change the flavor of your coffee by altering your brewing method or recipe.
2. Technical Skills -
Of course, being able to make coffee is also essential. A Barista needs to be able to use an espresso machine, a grinder, and various methods of filter brewing. Knowing how to use the coffee equipment is not enough, you will need to have an ear for hearing milk that is "just right" and an eye for level tamping, skills that are only acquired with time and practice.
3. Comprehension/Sensory -
If Theoretical Understanding and Technical Skills are the cause of a cup of coffee, Comprehension is the effect. Knowing what makes coffee taste sour and knowing that your recipe tastes sour (and what you need to do to remedy it) are two different things. A Barista should be able to experience first hand the result of their brew and correct their recipe to suit the tastes of their customer base.
4. Service/Hospitality -
Speaking of customers, without them there is simply no need for a Barista. Like many jobs in the service industry, being a Barista requires the ability to talk to people and make them feel welcome and at ease. It is also extremely important to be able to listen to the needs of your customers and produce the product that they requested and are paying for. Some customers will need milk replacements, others may want a beverage similar to a drink they had elsewhere, some may come in and not know what they want and you will need to ask them questions about their sweetness and strength preferences. All with a reassuring smile and an upbeat attitude.