Everything you need to know about being a Barista
Surely you have heard the term Barista or have a brief idea of what it is, correct? Not? Well, from now on, regardless of your level of knowledge about what a barista is and its importance, we will bring you extremely important truths and curiosities for you to delve into the subject.
Let’s start with the origin of the term, the meaning of world barista champion and what can be prepared, when it comes to coffee recipes, by the blessed hands of a barista. Without forgetting the necessary equipment and how to become a barista, if you are on the other side, identify yourself.
So prepare your coffee, settle down on the sofa, if you prefer, put on that inspiring music and while you enjoy your coffee, you will accompany us and share this very special moment with us.
What is a Barista?
Barista is the name of the professional who develops the expertise necessary to extract the best espresso coffee from the machine, as well as prepare different types of drinks and drinks based on coffee and also add other elements to the product.
For all this, specialisation and a lot of studies are needed. It is necessary that the barista has full knowledge of the raw material, that is, the characteristics and differences of the types of beans, roasting, grinding and even mastering knowledge about planting and harvesting, among other aspects extremely relevant to the coffee process.
The profession emerged in the 1990s and since then there has been a growth process, together with the increase in the consumption of special coffees.
The origin of the term is Italian, however, it is applied to bar attendants that serve from espresso to alcoholic beverages in general, such as the “bartender”, for example.
However, the current connotation of the word in the world sphere designates this term to professionals specialized in coffee who work, above all, in cafeterias and related enterprises such as “bike cafes” – a strong trend in the current market – to traditional bakeries, which are already they are concerned with raising the standard of quality, going far beyond that simple and popular dribble, so characteristic.
What does the barista do?
To say that the professional barista prepares drinks that carry the product would be too simplistic, taking into account the necessary skill that the professional must have to do so.
In fact, the barista makes an art of preparing coffee, so much so that the importance that connoisseurs place on it is as great as that of the wine sommelier.
The coffee or derived drink made by a barista carries with it a bias of art, passion and creativity that goes beyond the limits of the “ornament” of decorated cafes, for example. Once again, the barista is a qualified professional to actually prepare the best espresso coffee, as well as the infinite varieties that the drink makes possible and at the highest level of quality.
The barista’s presence has become so essential that nowadays it’s hard to imagine a cafeteria without him. Without exaggeration, it is as if we were imagining a body without a soul.
That’s what those who love good, superior quality coffee must feel. In the end, it is the primary factor, it is what makes all the difference, whether in the development of new recipes, in the improvement and in the search for the perfect espresso. By the way, do you know what the perfect espresso is?
According to the main baristas in the market, the perfect espresso coffee has four “m”s:
- Mano(hand);
- Machine;
- Mill;
- Miscela (a blend of beans or blend, in which the elements of the combination promote a balanced/balanced coffee).
The manual part of the process is carried out by the barista who activates the entire system for obtaining the perfect espresso coffee, with the help of the coffee machine.
This, in turn, needs to be at full regulation and ideal pressure and temperature. In addition, the mill or grinder must have precise regulation, according to the needs of the barista, while the blend or Miscela, as a rule, implies 100% Arabica coffee.
Some barista secrets for making the best espresso coffee have already been revealed by the specialised media. However, there is a basic tip that determines the best quality of an espresso coffee: the time for grinding the beans.
The grain must be ground at the time of preparation, or at most thirty minutes beforehand. It is also necessary that the espresso coffee forms a cream (foam) when removed. This foam acts as a kind of thermal insulator, maintaining the ideal coffee temperature at the moment of tasting. Another important detail: barista espresso coffee should be served in pre-heated porcelain cups, with 40 ml doses.
All the care, study and precision in making espresso coffee and derived drinks adopted by baristas around the world is not only in the pursuit of excellence in coffee preparation but also in the possibility of awarding prizes to the best professionals.
Gladly, is it time for you to know what the world barista championship is? The WBC is the “World Cup” disputed by the best baristas in the universe.
Every year, the main contenders for the title enter a fierce dispute in search of the nomination of the best in the world.
The objective of this competition is initially to promote excellence in coffee preparation. However, the intention is also to create opportunities for new professionals, without leaving aside the growing public, since the event covers the regional and the universal.
The championship works as follows: the professionals, who come to represent more than fifty countries, prepare four espressos, four milk drinks and four drinks with an original signature and strict performance standards, lasting only fifteen minutes.
As a result, competitors are submitted to an official wbc jury, composed of experts certified by world coffee events (WCE) to be evaluated on the following topics:
- Taste;
- Cleaning;
- Creativity;
- Technical skill;
- General presentation.
The first round begins with twelve participants, in the semifinal only six advances to victory, but only one winner is named barista world champion.
Professional equipment
To be a barista, it is essential to know what professional equipment is necessary for the execution of coffee and drinks recipes, as well as to follow some procedures regarding their maintenance and conservation.
Do you know what these pieces of equipment are?
- Milk foamer: ideal for obtaining a perfect cream when preparing a cappuccino. It also allows you to make macchiato, caffè latte, among other drinks. Easy maintenance, just carries out the cleaning procedures according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Whipped cream bottle: essential for the barista, with a spout that helps to make incredible decorations when preparing special coffees, giving a beautiful aesthetic in the presentation of the drink.
- Pitcher: an essential tool for preparing latte art and Italian cappuccino. It is what we usually call, in common sense, a milkmaid, but with a more professional touch.
- Tamper: utensil that helps in the correct compaction of the coffee, promoting the ideal resistance for the extraction of superior quality espresso coffee.
- Sprinkler: essential accessory for the barista. It is with it that the professional achieves the perfect finish by sprinkling cinnamon, chocolate, among other ingredients under the cream and foam of the drink.
- Brushes: necessary, both for cleaning the work area and the filter holder.
- Filter holder: to make brewed coffee, when necessary;
- Espresso machine: every barista’s dream.
- Coffee grounds drawer: for optimal disposal.
- Group cleaning brush: essential for the correct cleaning of espresso coffee machines.
- Italian coffee maker
- Acrylic Hario
- Glass jar
- Coffee grinder
- French press
- Compaction rubber
- Hand adjustable meter
- Electric milk mixer
- Milk Jug
- Thermometer
- Cleaning Brush and Cloth
You find all these types of products at Coffee Hit
In addition to this essential barista equipment, we cannot forget to mention the need for some accessories, including in this case the ideal outfit for the barista.
The uniform; apron and objects that secure the hair are essential items for the professional in the area.
Another relevant point about the equipment and its correct cleaning and maintenance is the use by the barista of a product that acts as a concentrated cleaning formula.
This product is necessary to carry out the removal of residues, such as coffee grounds, thus facilitating cleaning and preventing changes in the aroma and taste of the coffee over time.
Barista Course
With so much information about the barista universe, you may have felt your heart beat faster and perhaps nourished the desire to delve even deeper into the art of coffee making, isn’t it?
If you love coffee and would like to go further on the subject, in addition to becoming a professional in an increasingly growing sector, the barista course may be the ideal opportunity for your evolution.
In addition to providing yourself with the training needed to prepare the perfect coffee, you’ve always dreamed of enjoying, taking the barista course can also bring a number of other advantages in your daily life.
A new skill, with an extreme chance of, if necessary, even undertaking in the sector.
Make a great impression with family and friends, who will love your coffee, intensify your relationship with the drink, thus resulting in increasingly intense and differentiated experiences, among other possibilities. With different levels of depth, from beginner to master, the barista course offers several options, with regard to educational institutions and possibilities.
In general terms, in the barista course we have the following topics:
- Presentation of specific coffee preparation techniques;
- Ways of using professional utensils and machines;
- Learning how to identify which grains are most suitable for each type of drink;
- How the process of steaming milk takes place;
- Approach including coffee appreciation, with food production and service techniques;
- Importance of good personal presentation;
- Knowledge of the espresso machine, among other aspects.
With a good barista course, it is possible to understand in practice the difference between the simple fact of pressing buttons on a machine and knowing how to do it with the necessary expertise and full awareness of the differentials of getting the best coffee from the machine. In addition, the theoretical part, such as the history of coffee, among other related subjects, is usually covered in the best barista courses.
You can find more information about a Barista Course on Google Search.
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