Become a barista yourself!
How to become a barista in 4 steps?
"Barista" is Italian and originally described a bartender who serves other drinks in addition to coffee. A barista now has a fixed job description that focuses solely on coffee, making and serving it. In the next 4 steps, we will explain what makes a good coffee, how to make different types of coffee, and how to give your creations that little something extra.
Step 1: Selecting the coffee
Intensity
Intensity indicates how intense the taste of the coffee is. A scale of 1 to 10 or higher is usually used. Coffees with an intensity between 8 and 10 are particularly strong. For a balanced, medium-strength coffee, choose coffee with a strength of 5-7. Everything below is in the especially mild category. There are other indications that you can use as a guide if the intensity is not specified.
Roasting
Roasting can also provide information about the intensity of the coffee. Light roasts tend to have a milder flavor than darker ones. However, roasting is particularly interesting because of the flavors it brings. Lighter roasting preserves the natural flavor of the beans. Fruity , fresh notes appear here, and floral notes are also typical. Light roasts usually have a higher acid content. Darker roasts often produce aromas and sweet notes (such as nutty or chocolate). The choice here is primarily based on personal preference, but the bean mixture must be taken into account.
The bean mixture
In general, Arabica beans are considered particularly noble. This bean has a very unique taste. Arabicas are mostly fresh, fruity and high in acidity. They bring a versatile bouquet of flavors and are often characterized by citrus notes. So a lightly roasted 100% arabica blend would be extremely acidic. Due to the large proportion of Arabica, it is therefore worth choosing a darker roast. If you want a more balanced taste, choose an Arabica-Robusta blend. Robustas give the blend the right balance with their earthy character.
Once you've found the right coffee, it's time to make it.
Step 2: Prepare the classics
There are classics from Italian coffee culture that every good barista should be able to prepare safely.
We introduce the Italian classics and give you tips on how to best achieve success with them.
Espresso
Espresso is the best known when it comes to Italian coffee. It is made from about 5-10g of coffee powder and 25-40ml of water. Water is pressed through the coffee at approximately 85-90 °C under high pressure. This creates a particularly strong coffee. This is called the "body". The body of the espresso is rounded off by a fine head of foam, the so-called "crema". An espresso is best served in a preheated cup. It cools down slowly and can be enjoyed for a long time. Espresso is usually served with a glass of water.
In southern Italy, ristretto is called "corto", which means "short" . A ristretto can also be described as half an espresso. It is made from the same amount of coffee powder, but with only 15 ml of water. Due to the shortened transit time, less bitter substances are released. Therefore, ristretto is more digestible than an espresso and is easier on the stomach. It is also characterized by a higher caffeine content. The ristretto is served in a preheated mug or small coffee glass.
Lungo
Lungo means "long" and refers to the size of the coffee. A lung is prepared with as much coffee as an espresso and 100 ml of water. Due to the longer contact time, lungo develops different aromas than an espresso. This should be taken into account when choosing coffee.
AmericanoAn Americano consists of a double espresso to which 120 ml of water is added. The transit time does not increase, the coffee will only be softer and the body will be lighter.
A Lungo or Americano is best served in a large, warmed mug or coffee glass.
Step 3: Coffee variations with milk foam
Coffee variations with milk foam are very popular, so they should not be missing from your repertoire!
We explain how to make delicious milk foam and how to combine it with coffee to make great variations.
Milk foam can be prepared in several ways. Probably the most impressive method is foaming with a steam jet. Pour the required amount of milk into a jug. Place the nozzle slightly below the surface of the milk. Now turn on the nozzle and place your hand on the bottom of the jug. You will notice that this is slowly heating up. When the foam reaches the bottom of the pitcher, slide the frother deeper into the milk until your hand at the bottom of the pitcher is too warm. The temperature of the milk should now be between 60°C and 70°C. Now wet the foam by moving the bowl in a circular motion. Generally, only cold milk can be frothed, warm milk will not froth again.
The milk frother does most of the work for you, and you can also make cold milk foam. With a manual frother, the milk foam is usually very coarse and there is no hot milk. You can heat the milk and froth the cold milk separately and mix it in a milk jug.
Whichever method you choose, a latte macchiato and a cappuccino are a must.
Latte Machiato
A latte macchiato consists of 3 layers – hot milk, espresso and milk foam. First, the milk is prepared and left to rest while the espresso is brewed. This is poured through the center of the milk pump and settles due to the difference in density between the hot milk and the milk foam. Serve the latte macchiato in a tall glass and add a long spoon or straw to the drink.
Cappuccino
For cappuccino, espresso is made first. Fill this with milk and milk foam so that a milk cap is placed on the coffee.
Now you will get an overview of the classic coffee variations and how they are prepared. These versions are especially impressive with the right accessories.
Step 4: Coffee accessories
The eyes also drink! That's why we give you a little insight into what accessories you can use to turn your coffee into a real feast for the eyes.
The first step in the right direction is cups and glasses. A good espresso is also served in a small espresso cup, a cappuccino looks much nicer in a large, wide cappuccino cup. To prepare a latte macchiato, you need to have large glasses ready, in which the three layers are particularly visible.
Especially with coffee with milk foam, you can score points with the decoration. For this, you need to have a wide selection of spices, grinds and syrups to make colorful and attractive coffees. For starters, we definitely recommend adding cinnamon, cocoa powder, nutmeg and chocolate sprinkles to the equipment.
For the milk foam, there should be different milk jugs in the cupboard. With the right pot, you can estimate the foam for several coffees. Plus, they're super easy to use and a must-have for anyone who loves latte art.
A blender should also be available in the kitchen for trendy coffee drinks. A good blender is essential, especially for the combination of coffee and ice cream.
The last piece of advice to become a really good barista: practice, practice, practice!
Repeat brewing processes, test different beans and coffees, and get a feel for handling and flavor combinations.