Yesterday I made some sort of a reintroduction since I have been away for quite some time two years ago. When I chose the life of a Barista, I began to realize coffee isn’t as simple I thought coffee was, being a staple beverage of choice for millions of people around the globe. Today I’d like to talk about how it is like behind the bar as a Barista. As well as how we (as coffee enthusiasts) should interact with Baristas to learn more from them. Most importantly, at the end of the day, to enhance your coffee drinking experience.
• The Barista Life
Having the knowledge that coffee needs to be grinded fresh, knowing how coffee from different places has different taste notes or how much different roast profiles can affect the taste of each cup you brew. It takes more than knowledge and skill especially in a busy coffee shop it takes patience, precision and awareness of your bar, ingredients and yourself. As a Barista, gains experience through time there will be plenty of skills and techniques they will learn along the way. Which will be required to be able to brew the very best each cup could potentially offer.
The first skill which is crucial for every Barista is to be able to brew the ideal cup for every customer since people enjoy their coffee in different ways. It’s the Barista’s job to decipher how the customer would like the coffee. This usually comes with trial and error with the customer. With the customer returning regularly, each tweak will get closer and closer to the ideal cup for the particular person. This can happen with instinct. As well as the customer and the Barista's chit-chat before or during the order. The Barista might sometimes try to tweak the coffee if the Barista thinks the customer might enjoy the coffee in a certain way.
The second set of skills a Barista needs to learn is to be able to pick up the taste and aroma. Which is easier said than done. People who don’t have a sensitive enough palate to pick up the taste, aroma or the body beneath a cup of coffee will take time and dedication to be able to actually do so. This skill is very important to a Barista. Especially if the Barista would like to perfect manual brewing. Which is very complex. The slightest change in any factor will produce different results.
Each Barista will have developed these skills and others differently. Which will make every Barista unique in their own way. From how they chit-chat to how much you enjoy their coffee. Which is another beauty of coffee making, every cup different every time.
• As a Customer
As a customer, the challenge of finding that perfect coffee shop with the perfect atmosphere where you can enjoy that cup of coffee in peace. As well as a Barista that doesn’t get on your nerves each time you order. Moreover try to say something to the guy. Now we can’t change how a coffee shop chooses to decorate their shop. However, if you have found a coffee shop that has the perfect environment. Especially the one that suites your leisure, try talking with the Barista instead of just ordering and just sitting down. The small chit-chat you have with your Barista can improve both your stay and your coffee.
Before I ended today’s post, I would like to thank anybody that has read up till here. I’ve tried my best to make this as short as I can. Getting through what I want to say as well as I can. Of course the last thing I would like to mention before I leave is for all the people that like to ask for extra hot coffee. There is no need for saying it, in my opinion. The Barista has already calibrated the temperature, grind size, brew time, yield, etc to brew it as best as possible!
