Commonly known as the art of mastering coffee, a barista is a professional coffee brewing expert who prepares espresso and other coffee-based beverages. They are experts in the art and science of coffee, from bean selection and roasting to brewing techniques and latte art.
Key Responsibilities of a Barista
Coffee Preparation
Baristas are experts in the preparation of various espresso-based beverages, such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato and Americano. They also prepare non-espresso drinks,
Coffee knowledge
A good barista has a thorough knowledge of coffee beans, roasting techniques and preparation methods. He or she can recommend different coffee blends based on customer preferences.
Latte art
Many baristas are experts in latte art, the practice of creating designs on the surface of a latte or cappuccino.
Barista Machine
A barista machine prepares an espresso-based beverage. In these machines, the water used to create steam is the same water used to extract the coffee. This means that the water is close to boiling point when it reaches the beans and the coffee can have its flavor in the over extraction.
STEAM MACHINE
Inside an airtight tank, water reaches boiling point and steam is created. This generates pressure, which pushes the water through the reservoir into the coffee. This is similar to what happens inside a stovetop mocha coffee maker.
The disadvantage of steam machines is that they only reach 1-1.5 bars of pressure. The ideal pressure for an espresso shot is 9 bars.
La Pavoni ESC-8
The Barista Touch
Amaste Machine
LEVER MACHINES
In these spring-loaded machines, the lever points upward when the internal spring is relaxed. Lowering the lever compresses the spring and lifts the piston, this opens a space in the extraction chamber for water to enter.
The lever rises again as the spring releases tension. This causes the piston to push the water down and the espresso is extracted.
De’Longhi Machine
KitchenAid KES8557BK
Gaggia Cadorna
PUMP MACHINES
These machines work by using an electric pump to direct preheated water through the extraction chamber and into a coffee bed. With an electronic pump, it is easy to achieve consistently high pressure.
Today, there are three main categories of pump machines: semi-automatic, automatic and super-automatic. Each has variations, including pump types, number of boilers and computer-assisted programming.
Semi-Automatic Machines
Semi-automatic machines employ an automated system to direct water through the group heads. Grinding, tamping and controlling the extraction time are the barista’s responsibilities.
Automatic Machines
These are very similar to semi-automatic machines, but they automatically stop the flow of water. This ensures a consistent volume in every shot and means you don’t have to watch every espresso to prevent it from overflowing.
Super-Automatic Machines
Superautomatics do all the work. The machine grinds the beans and measures, fills and tampers the grind into the portafilter. You push the button and get a consistent shot every time. Some machines allow you to modify grind size and time, but limit creativity.
Kitchenaid Maker
L`OR Phillips Maker
Nispira Vintage Maker
