WHY BARISTAS ARE IN DEMAND (AND HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ONE!)

The business of coffee-making has become a booming industry in recent years and baristas are at the forefront of this as coffee culture continues to grow and evolve. Why? A good barista can take a simple cup of coffee and turn it into a work of art, delighting customers with their expertise and creativity.

But a barista isn’t just someone who can make a good cup of coffee – there’s a lot more to it. So, what’s the recipe for being a successful barista? What makes being a barista an exciting career choice? Let’s explore…

The Qualities Of A Barista

Becoming a barista requires more than just knowing how to make a good cup of coffee. It requires a set of skills and qualities that aren’t always seen at face value:

Passion

A genuine love of coffee goes a long way. With passion, every pour can be perfected and with passion comes an intrinsic desire to learn about improving processes as well as a coffee’s origins, how it’s roasted and how to get the best out of it. This level of passion is infectious and can really help create a welcoming coffee culture.

Attention To Detail

Baristas need to be meticulous in their preparation, ensuring that every step of the process is done with care and precision, from the temperature of the water to the weight of the ground coffee going into the machine and the yield coming out of it.

Creativity

Adopt a creative mind and a willingness to try new things. The industry is constantly evolving with new ideas, techniques and technology, so baristas shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours and techniques to create unique and delicious coffee drinks.

Customer Service Skills

Baristas are often the face of a coffee shop and as such, they should be friendly, welcoming and able to provide excellent customer service. Whilst this goes without saying, it’s important for any barista to understand they have the capability to improve someone’s day, whether that’s a simple smile, an inquisitive question or empathy towards a customer’s mood or situation.

Technical Skills

Baristas should have a good understanding of the technical aspects that go into coffee making, from understanding the coffee machine to the grinder and troubleshooting any technical issues that may arise.

Paths To Being A Coffee Expert

Being a barista is the best stepping stone to becoming a coffee expert because it’s important to have a deep understanding of the different coffee beans, roasting methods, brewing techniques and flavour profiles. So, here are some steps one can take to develop coffee knowledge even further:

Attend A Barista Training Course

Many coffee shops and roasteries offer barista training courses that cover everything from espresso fundamentals and milk texturing techniques to coffee roasting, cupping and sourcing. These courses can help you develop the technical skills you need to not only make great coffee but know where to find it and how to roast it.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Making great coffee takes practice. Spend time experimenting with different brewing methods, coffee beans and ratios to find out how far you can take a particular type of coffee. The more you practice and experiment, the better your knowledge will be and the more you’ll be able to pass on that knowledge.

Read Books And Watch Videos

There are so many books and articles available on coffee, from the history of coffee to the science behind brewing. Reading about coffee can help you deepen your knowledge and understanding of the beverage. But if reading a book isn’t your thing, then you’re in luck! Online you’ll find a whole range of tutorials and advice from existing experts in the field.

Attend Coffee Events And Competitions

Whether it’s London Coffee Festival or a local latte art throwdown, events and competitions are a great way to meet other coffee professionals, learn about new brewing methods and techniques, and showcase your own skills.

WHAT MAKES BEING A BARISTA AN EXCITING CAREER CHOICE?

There’s still a significant amount of new coffee shops appearing on the high street and this is expected to continue. So, as the demand for coffee continues, the need for skilled baristas will always be there. But, while the average wage for baristas has increased, there’s still a glass ceiling for the profession. Past becoming a head barista, career progression is limited front-of-house, with many forced to change profession. A preferred option to some, however, is back-of-house roles, whether that be coffee roaster, buyer or marketing roles within the industry, where they can continue to develop and grow in the community.

Fortunately, the hospitality industry has recognised the importance of developing and nurturing talent in the sector.

In the UK, for example, Nestlé Professional has launched the ‘Choose Hospitality’ pledge, which aims to address the skills shortage in the hospitality industry by encouraging employers to invest in training and development for their employees. This initiative is certainly a step in the right direction and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the coffee industry. Being a barista is certainly a rewarding job and the skills learnt can lead to opportunities for growth and development within the wider industry. With the rise in demand for coffee and the focus on talent development in the hospitality industry, the future looks bright. So, if you have a passion for coffee and a desire to learn, a career as a barista could be the perfect choice for you.