My name is Ahmed. I’m a barista from the Middle East. Coffee is my life.
Have you ever heard that coffee in some communities is drank not only in the morning, but also in the evening?
Yes, morning or night, to coffee lovers it is like a drug.
If one day you visit the Middle East, you might find that coffee shops are in fact closed at 3 AM, but there are some shops that do not close at all.
However, you will find that peak hours are usually in the morning from 7 AM to 9 AM and at night from 9 PM until 12 AM.
On average, people will drink 6 to 8 cups of coffee a day, especially Arabica coffee. Coffee is a more popular choice of beverage than most, even water in the middle east!
When the Middle Eastern barista finds an espresso machine, a proper grinder, and sees a crowd of coffee-thirsty people flocking to him, he will soon come to find that there is tremendous power in the ability to craft a quality cup of coffee.
It is a lovely and confusing feeling; at one time, he feels that he possesses the key to happiness for the people he serves, but at the same time, it is hard work to make a single cup of great coffee.
When a barista comes to master his skill, there is a harmony within and a feeling that he is the master of the place where he stands. At that moment, he begins to enter into another world; one where he is the distributor of happiness and the means of this joy is coffee.
To understand coffee and the effort and skill that is required to carefully craft each cup, one must understand who holds the power in making this product and what it takes to be excellent.
So I grew up in this strong coffee lover environment that makes me more want to be a better barista, and here is how I understand to be an excellent barista.
Definition of a barista:
One who prepares coffee and espresso style beverages, normally in a cafe setting.
Origin of the word:
Barista is an Italian word meaning my legs or the person standing behind the bar and preparing drinks, juices and some pastries.
The task of a barista in the cafe can be limited to several basic tasks, such as checking and calibrating the tools and equipment used to make the coffee.
In doing so, they are making sure of all the correct standards are being met to ensure the best quality, including ensuring the appropriate temperatures for the type of coffee used, water quality, the size of the coffee grounds, the appropriate dose, and the amount and time of extraction.
Not only is the quality of coffee essential for a quality beverage, the provision of suitable milk to blend with coffee must be available in any cafe.
While ensuring the application of high standards in each milk-based product, factors must be considered such as the ideal degree of evaporation, type of pitcher used, and the amount of steam and the temperature of the milk in order to add latte art on the surface of the drink.
In doing so, you are working to ensure the happiness of everyone who enters the cafe, both barista and customer.
What makes you a specialty barista?
When striving to be an expert in coffee preparation, excellence should be one of your goals. You should work to make a perfect cup of coffee in a distinguished way that delights your customers and improves their mood at anytime of the day.
A great barista will work to help their customers love coffee more and inspire others who work in the coffee industry as well.
The fact is, finding excellence is not easy, but how can you distinguish it from the mundane? This question can not be answered with a simple statement, so we will talk about the 5 most important points to distinguish an average barista from an excellent one.
Feeling confident
The barista is confident to be able to brew a cup of coffee with a great taste and beautiful shape that is a delight to their customers. Most baristas find happiness in their work. Furthermore, they are eager to share their talents and wisdom in preparing coffee.
When you bring coffee to your customers, they may simply expect a simple cup of coffee, but an excellent barista will make them a masterpiece that they can be proud of.
Passion
Passion is the irresistible feeling that motivates you to do your job well. Look for something that will not only make you happy in the world of coffee, but also something that motivates you to develop your skills and abilities to perform your work to the fullest.
Always look for what fuels your passion.
Details
There is no doubt that one of the secrets of success is the attention to detail, and one of the most important details of coffee is the joy of a quality product.
You must pay attention to all the figures and standards through which you can reach your ideal product, such as heat, the amount of doses and weight, the amount of extraction and time, and also ensuring that your customer receives something they are happy with.
Consistency
You can always experiment with the drink you are creating, try new ways and standards, and become a successful recipe designer, but it is important when you offer coffee to your customers, make sure to be consistent in your work and maintain your signature in the preparation of coffee.
In other words, aim to repeat the same smell, the same taste, and the same texture in every cup of the same recipe in order to maintain the level of quality you want to achieve.
Knowledge
The coffee industry is large and constantly evolving, and also has an important position in the world of commerce.
In order to achieve the goal of becoming a professional barista, you must to keep up to date with the latest developments, research, and knowledge in the coffee world.
You must always be aware of the new tools and equipment and the latest methods of preparation in order to then apply what you discover to your own style and practice.
You cannot use only the information you have, but deepen and expand your knowledge, develop sensory skills, learn about roasting coffee, read about the cultivation and processing of coffee and the factors that affect them.
This deeper understanding of the cycle of coffee will mold you into a well-informed barista on your way to excellence.
In the end, ask yourself: What sets you apart from the other baristas? If you can not answer this question, know that the journey of discovery is long, but it is enjoyable in the world of coffee.
Take a deep breath, cherish yourself, and embark toward your goal with passion, maintain consistency and accuracy in your work.
Remember :
Coffee from the beginning of the stages of cultivation through processing, shipment, receipt, roasting, and packaging must be handled with extreme care until at last it arrives in the hands of the customer. You must understand the effort behind each cup of coffee as not to waste all the hard work and passion that is required to create it.?