The skill behind barista excellence
“Baristas” seem to be popping up as fast as new coffee shops are these days – but what exactly is a barista? And what makes a barista different from the person who chucks a couple of spoons of coffee into a machine or plunger with some hot water?
From ‘Coffee Maker’ to Coffee Master
A true barista is a trained and experienced coffee maker. “Barista” is an Italian word meaning “bartender” and in reality, a barista is to coffee as a sommelier is to wine. He has a thorough understanding of coffee from crop to cup and an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of coffee production; grinding; brewing; and presentation.
An excellent barista knows everything about the coffee he is serving, including its history and production. He’ll have an exceptional understanding of how coffee farming, processing and roasting work, and how they affect the coffee he’s making.
The Science of Coffee
Coffee is similar to wine in that it grows in particular climates and its flavours are affected by the area of where it is grown. Coffee is mainly grown in tropical regions like South America, the Caribbean, Africa and the East. The most sought-after and highly regarded coffee is Arabica as it can only be grown from 2500 feet above sea level under specific conditions. Coffee beans have distinct characteristics such as flavour; acidity; aroma; and body – and a good barista knows where his coffee originates from and what characteristics to expect from different coffee regions!
A barista will also be able to tell you how the beans have been processed – whether the beans have been processed by hand or machinery, and if they’ve been wet processed or dry processed.
Almost all coffee is roasted before being ground and brewed, and then is sorted into light; medium light; medium; medium dark; dark; and very dark roasts. Baristas will know the difference between the roasts and how to brew each one just right.
The Art Behind the Perfect Cup
A barista has a comprehensive and technical knowledge of brewing, serving and presenting the perfect cup of coffee.
Baristas are skilled in grinding coffee and brewing it to perfection. Extra effort is even applied in the way that it is ground as the grinding method affects its final flavours and aromas as well! The grinding method will produce either a coarse, medium or fine ground and a barista will brew each of these differently, using a technique specifically designed to take advantage of the size and shape of the ground. He knows what type of equipment to use and how to brew and extract the best coffee from the grounds available. He’s also familiar with the technical side of coffeemaking: water to coffee ratios; specific water temperatures; precise pressures; and specialised machinery.
Serving perfection – every time
Photo © home-barista.com
A barista is an expert in serving; coffee presentation; and latte art. He has to have an encyclopedic knowledge of coffee drinks and know how they’re made and how to present it attractively. Latte art uses steamed milk to decorate coffee with swirls; leaves; and other designs. The designs can be used to identify types of beverages or just to entertain customers who love the novelty. Baristas who are good latte artists can be a major drawcard for individual coffee shops!
The science behind barista excellence comes down to practical and technical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. The true barista balances science and art to create a perfect (and pretty) cup of coffee again … and again!
A barista has a comprehensive and technical knowledge of brewing, serving and presenting the perfect cup of coffee.
Baristas are skilled in grinding coffee and brewing it to perfection. Extra effort is even applied in the way that it is ground as the grinding method affects its final flavours and aromas as well! The grinding method will produce either a coarse, medium or fine ground and a barista will brew each of these differently, using a technique specifically designed to take advantage of the size and shape of the ground. He knows what type of equipment to use and how to brew and extract the best coffee from the grounds available. He’s also familiar with the technical side of coffeemaking: water to coffee ratios; specific water temperatures; precise pressures; and specialised machinery.
Serving perfection – every time
A barista is an expert in serving; coffee presentation; and latte art. He has to have an encyclopedic knowledge of coffee drinks and know how they’re made and how to present it attractively. Latte art uses steamed milk to decorate coffee with swirls; leaves; and other designs. The designs can be used to identify types of beverages or just to entertain customers who love the novelty. Baristas who are good latte artists can be a major drawcard for individual coffee shops!
The science behind barista excellence comes down to practical and technical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. The true barista balances science and art to create a perfect (and pretty) cup of coffee again … and again!
