The Aussie Barista Cheat Sheet: Barista Tips and Tricks
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There’s a lot of information that baristas need to remember daily. Whether you’re new to the coffee industry or you’re an experienced, old hand at coffee making, things can occasionally slip your mind, leading to subpar coffees and understandably frustrated customers. It doesn’t help that coffee making has gotten more complex over the years, with advancements in technologies and new varieties of coffee always coming out.
Sure, there are some things that baristas don’t need to worry about anymore, like sourcing fresh coffee beans themselves, but it’s still hard to stay on top of what’s new and what’s newly obsolete in this ever-changing industry.
Luckily, we’re here to help with our Aussie barista cheat sheet. Following, you’ll find our rundown of essential barista knowledge and stuff you should already know but which might have slipped your mind, as well as plenty of barista tips and tricks to help you remember everything.
Basic Coffee-Making Steps
Even with all the different types of coffee, there are some steps common to whatever it is that you’re making. To make a cup of coffee, grind the freshest and best coffee beans to the appropriate consistency. Measure the coffee and water ratios according to what will fit in the portafilter. If possible, ensure your coffee machine is set to pour water that has been heated to a temperature between 90-96°C. Place the coffee grounds in the brewing device, press the button for the specific shot you want, and away you go!
Basic Styles of Coffee
While there are dozens of different styles of coffee in the world today, most baristas are limited to making a few basic ones. Even those lucky enough to get to experiment with a range of styles might find themselves forgetting the basics. Here are the four most common styles of coffee and what makes each one different.
Espresso
An espresso, also known as a short black, is the simplest style of coffee. It’s made only by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure, without adding anything extra like milk.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is an espresso-based drink made with equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk, layered on top of one another in that precise order.
Flat White
A flat white is a coffee beverage consisting of a double shot of espresso combined with steamed milk. It is similar to a cappuccino but with a small amount of microfoam and almost no foam at all.
Long Black
A long black is made by pouring a double shot of espresso over hot water. It has a strong flavour and is made without any milk whatsoever.
Latte
To make a latte, start by pulling a shot or two of espresso. Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon. A latte is distinguished by its higher milk-to-espresso ratio compared to other coffee styles.
Coffee Art
One of the most effective barista tips and tricks, learning to make coffee art is the skilled practice of creating intricate designs or patterns on the surface of a coffee using steamed milk and espresso. It’s often known as latte art due to the ease of making these designs on a latte thanks to the greater ratio of milk and foam over the espresso. It’s always a treat to find one of these unique designs on one’s coffee and it makes customers feel like they’ve had a personalised experience, encouraging them to come back again and again. So if you’re not already doing so, start adding art to your coffees.
The steps to create coffee art depend on the design in question, but there are a few general steps common to every design. To create this coffee art, use a steady hand to pour the milk onto the espresso base, manipulating its flow and adding precise movements to shape your chosen design. Start simple, with common designs like hearts and flowers, then work your way up with more challenging patterns like webs. As you get better, consider experimenting and coming up with some designs of your own.
A barista or coffee course is crucial for learning latte art, offering hands-on training to perfect your milk technique. Through expert guidance, you’ll gain the skills and creativity needed to create stunning and visually appealing designs.
Cleaning & Maintenance
A basic but often overlooked part of our barista cheat sheet; always remember to keep your machine clean! A dirty machine means poorer quality coffee. Cleaning and maintenance of a coffee machine involves several steps. Regularly remove any leftover coffee grounds from the portafilter and wash it thoroughly. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth after each use to prevent milk residue buildup. Backflush the machine weekly using a cleaning detergent specifically designed for espresso machines to remove oils and impurities. Additionally, descale the machine periodically to remove mineral deposits and ensure optimal performance. Proper cleaning and maintenance not only extend the lifespan of the espresso machine but also guarantee the best possible flavours in your brewed coffee.
Customer Service
There’s a lot more that goes into making coffee than just making coffee. There’s also your attitude to customer service. We likely don’t need to explain the importance of friendliness and positivity to customer service, but here are a few other things to remember when it comes to coffee customer service:
Time Management
Strive for a balance between speed and quality. Provide prompt service without compromising the attention to detail required to create a great cup of coffee.
Product Knowledge
Be well-informed about the different coffee options, flavours, and brewing methods available. This allows you to make recommendations and provide helpful information to guide customers in their choices.
Active Listening
Don’t just take your customers’ orders. Take the time to fully engage with customers, attentively listening to their preferences and requests.
Novelty Coffees
Speciality coffee culture is accelerating the rate the Australian coffee industry is changing. New styles of coffee are being invented all the time, adding exotic ingredients like chilli, chocolate, and many more that you can’t even imagine. These coffees are fun and engaging, so if you want to boost your business, why not learn some brand-new styles of coffee? Have a look and see what crazy recipes catch your eye.
Elevate Your Coffee
If you’d like to take your coffee-making skills to new heights, the best way to begin is by learning the basics with a coffee training course. Whether you’re new to the café industry, considering it as a career path, or are an established barista looking to strengthen your knowledge of the basics.
With Skills Training College we’ll take you through how to make the perfect cup, master basic latte art, the ins and outs of food safety, and much more. With our expert guidance and hands-on practice, you’ll delight your friends, family, and taste buds with your barista prowess. Australia is the coffee capital of the world, and we’ll help you become an in-demand candidate for one of the countless jobs in Australia’s independent cafés, coffee houses, espresso bars, and more.
Enrol now in our course for baristas and embark on a journey of flavour exploration that will revolutionise your coffee experience!
