Portrait of a Barista

The barista is the Italian word for the skilled person who prepares coffee (ultimately espresso) in a coffee house.

What would you want your barista to be like?

This is not a trick question. The more I think of it, the more I believe it, that the world of coffee making must be laying on the shoulders of a barista.

I believe that because the coffee I am beeing served in a coffee house, I expect it to be good. On the other hand, the manager of the bar expects me to be pleased with the service and come again. If the coffee is not good, I will not do that.

Now who is responsible for this small gearing to work? You probably have guessed it, the barista.

Are you wondering what a barista is and how can you recognise him or her?

1. Well, he or she does not have a specific age or appearance. Nor nationality. In Italy, the country that gave the name of the job, a barista is most likely a man around the age of 40. In America, there are more chances that you find a young lady. But not necessarily.

2. One sure thing is they're susceptible to be found behind the bar-counter, always ready to prepare several varieties of coffee 'expressly for you' - by the way, did you know this was the initial definition of the espresso coffee?

3. A skilled barista, the one you would like to have prepare your cup, has several years of experience.

4. A good barista carries out to near-perfection four operations: dosing, tamping, pulling and steaming.

5. A good barista knows that no. 4 is not enough and sometimes helpless. For example, tamping depends on the finesse of the grind. The finer the grind, the less important the tamping.

6. A really good barista pays atention both to the quality of the coffee and the presentation.

7. The skilled barista is capable of performing more operations at the same time.

8. The barista you like interacts with his or her customers.

9. A good barista can manage to make a pretty good cup with less sophisticated appliances. Meanless to say, the opposite is not true.

10. A good barista can make a flourishing business out of your modest old cofee-shop. Again, the opposite in not true.

About The Author

Iulia Pascanu writes for www.madcoffeemaker.com where you can find more information about The Mad Coffee Maker

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared. Mailto: iuliap@gmail.com.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


More Tips on Getting the Best Coffee Maker

It's unbelievable, but when you start your search for a... Read More

Buy Only Fresh Gourmet Coffee Beans if You are Looking to Brew Flavorful Gourmet Coffee

Most coffee beans are grown in sub-tropical climates all over... Read More

How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Ever wonder how to clean a coffee maker the right... Read More

Italian Roast Coffee For An Authentic Espresso

One of the things people think of with Italy is... Read More

Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business

A 2001 survey by the National Coffee Association indicated that... Read More

Starbucks Coffee Company

Starbucks Coffee Company was founded in 1971 by three businessmen... Read More

History of the Coffee and Espresso Machine

A large percentage of the population loves to drink both... Read More

Coffee and Health

From the year dot, my mother taught all her children... Read More

Arabica Coffee Beans Are Pricey Yet Priceless!

Arabica coffee beans are known for a better-flavored coffee. There... Read More

Ethiopian Coffee

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, yet it is not... Read More

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Travel Mug

A good travel mug is a must when you need... Read More

A Little Secret Your Dentist Doesnt Want You To Know

Most dentist, particular those who specialize in cosmetic dentistry love... Read More

English Coffee

With English Tea being a very familiar term, English coffee... Read More

Gourmet Flavored Coffee

Coffee tastes great by itself, but for an extra special... Read More

Gano Coffee - Can Coffee Be Good For You?

Coffee, in all sorts, could be a "pick me up... Read More

Flavored Coffee Syrup Adds A New Dimension To Beans

Flavored coffee syrup is a popular addition to any coffee... Read More

Woman Dies from Caffeine Overdose and Expert Calls for Action in New Book and FDA Petition

An autopsy released this week has found caffeine to be... Read More

History of Instant Coffee

Mention instant coffee to any connoisseur and you are sure... Read More

Pure Kona Coffee

Pure Kona Coffee is gourmet coffee grown only on the... Read More

Kenya Coffee History

In Kenya coffee production dates back several hundred years. Coffee... Read More

How to Make Restaurant Quality Coffee At Home

Have you ever wondered how restaurants get their coffee to... Read More

Heating Vegetable Oil to Frying Temps Forms Toxic Compound

New research by a University of Minnesota professor and a... Read More

Italian Coffee - Something For Everyone

Espresso, caffè latte, cappuccino; there would seem to be as... Read More

The Great Bean Mystery - Find the World?s Best Coffee

Who doesn't love solving a good mystery? Is the Loch... Read More

The History Of Coffee

Coffee - THE Drink of ChoiceDid you know coffee is... Read More

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Do you remember your first experience with coffee? I'm sorry... Read More

Coffee and Alzheimers Disease

With the American population aging rapidly, diseases that affect the... Read More

Coffee and Asthma?

Here are some facts about the relationship between coffee and... Read More

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Coffee Consumption

Coffee is heavily studied, but study results contradict one another.... Read More

How to Make a Great Tasting Cup of Coffee - Its Not Rocket Science

There is good coffee and absolutely abysmal coffee. Both may... Read More

Starbucks Product Review

Have you had the pleasure of tasting Starbucks new less... Read More

Coffee and Depression: Coffee as an Antidepressant?

When you grab that morning cup of java, you're probably... Read More

Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than... Read More