Until a few years ago very few people were unaware the meaning of barista and what he did. Today coffee lovers have skyrocketed and the profession of barista is revered by many of them.
In the following article we will tell you everything you need to know about the barista profession, from its main functions up to the requirements to work on it.
What does a barista do?
A barista is a professional who is dedicated to preparing coffee. He has the necessary training to know everything related to the coffee process, from the types of seeds that exist to the different varieties of grinding that exist. The barista will receive extensive training both theoretically and practically on everything that has to do with the world of coffee.
A qualified barista is able to prepare coffee in the best possible way, knows how to serve it to take advantage of all the aroma and flavor of it and knows how to explain to customers any detail of the coffee.
Main functions of a barista
A barista who works in a cafeteria will have the following functions:
- He is in charge of checking the coffee that arrives at the establishment. From the quality of it, through its origin to what is the optimal preparation to get the most out of it.
- You must know the type or class of water what works best for the chosen coffee.
- You must have sufficient knowledge in relation to the elaborations that exist as well as the types of coffee machines on the market.
- He is in charge of keep the different coffee machines in good condition that may be on the premises.
- They have enough knowledge about all the blends of coffees out there.
- In recent years, the vast majority of baristas know various techniques to decorate coffee with milk. They are capable of creating authentic works of art with milk and coffee.
Knowledge of a good barista
The barista requires a high level of specialization when it comes to their work. Apart from knowing the various nuances of coffee, they must be trained in relation to the inventory, the cash register or the administration of the establishment. Then we talk about some of the knowledge that a good barista should have:
- must know how to serve to the different customers of the premises.
- Know everything that surrounds the cultivation of coffee and to the manufacturing process.
- Have the ability to work with quality and in a detailed way.
- Work as hygienically as possible since he is in charge of handling the coffee.
The barista's work tools
The barista's main work tool is the coffee machine. With it you will prepare the different coffee specialties that exist. In some cases, the barista is also in charge of preparing food, so he must have certain cooking skills. Apart from this, they are also usually in charge of managing computers and cash registers within the premises.
How much can a barista earn?
A barista will mainly carry out his work in a cafeteria, although he can also work in restaurants, hotels or bars. As a general rule, they will work in shifts, which includes nights, holidays and weekends.
Like any type of profession, the salary will depend on how old you are and where you work. Currently the floor of a barista is estimated at about 1.150 euros gross per year. This is the base salary, so the extra hours worked during the month should be added to it.
Where to study to be a barista?
Today there is no specific degree on the profession of barista. You can take a degree in tourism or gastronomy and study some of the barista courses included in such degrees.
The most advisable today is take courses in some schools focused on the art of barista or taking any of the online courses offered on the internet. There is also the self-taught option and training at home with the help of a coffee maker and tools that allow you to get the most out of coffee.