Becoming a Junior Barista can be both exciting and challenging. As the face of a coffee shop, you’ll be connecting with coffee lovers through your artistry and customer service. When you are just starting out, there may seem like a lot you have to learn. The best tips for new baristas are to absorb every piece of information that you can and then practice, practice, practice!
Here are some other top barista tips for beginners.
Making a Perfect Cup of Coffee
The first step to becoming a well-rounded barista is to master the basics of coffee brewing. Start with learning how to grind the beans properly. Using a medium-to-high setting, you pulse the grinder for three to five seconds at a time until the beans are finely ground. These provide the foundation of a flavourful cup of coffee.
Microfoam is the frothed milk that you see baristas using for various coffee orders. This is made with cold milk, a cold pitcher and the steam wand. The milk is frothed and then heated further to produce the silky-smooth consistency that we all know and love.
A nice touch to add before pouring your espresso is to warm the cups. Fill with hot water before serving or use the steam wand. This will keep the coffee warmer for longer and provide a better experience for customers.
Perfecting Your Latte Art
Latte art is an area where baristas love to get creative and showcase their skills. It’s an impressive final touch to any latte and will give your drink the wow factor at first glance. But don’t be fooled, latte art is a skill that takes time. As a beginner, the best thing you can do is perfect one design that works for you and expand your skill set later.
Keeping Your Workspace Clean and Tidy
Once you have established basic knowledge of your workspace, it’s important to clean and tidy your area. Keeping your coffee equipment clean is a must, otherwise, the mess will add up. Ensure that you have your towels accessible and organised. A steam wand requires a damp towel, whereas wiping a portafilter needs a dry towel. Being organised will allow you to stay ahead of the game and is a great mindset to adopt from day one.
Attend Local Competitions to Practice Your Skills
Learning to become a top barista doesn’t just happen in the workplace. Many baristas will start with home equipment to learn the basics before moving on to work in a coffee shop. Competitions also provide a fantastic starting point for junior baristas. You can develop and refine your skills, learn new tricks and make connections in the industry. And your motivation to practice and improve will skyrocket.
Work with the Best Products
To make your coffee stand out amongst the crowd, use top quality, locally produced products such as free-range milk. For more information on sustainably sourced milk, contact the Little Big Dairy Co. today.