Requirements for Novice-Level Baristas | Difficulty of Becoming a Barista | Qualifications Needed

As the title suggests.

Many people believe that in the food and beverage industry, being a barista is a relatively easy profession to enter.

To enter this field and achieve some success, we need to continuously learn.

Simply put: diligence + effort + luck

Many people have become baristas because they love coffee;

And it's precisely because they became baristas that they've come to love coffee even more.

But if you ask: Why did you become a barista?

I'll tell you: Because there was an opportunity to turn my interest into my job, and I decided to take it.

Is Being a Barista Tiring?

"I don't know why, but whenever I'm standing behind the bar counter, no matter how long I make coffee, I never feel tired."

Yes, it's tiring! But for those who love this profession, it's not tiring. At least for me, it's not tiring.

Why Be a Barista?

"Because being a barista allows me to meet different people. I'm good at sharing knowledge and also skilled at communicating with others."

I think coffee is an art. The longer I make coffee and the deeper I understand it, the more I can appreciate its uniqueness.

Coffee is also a language that allows you to communicate with coffee people from all over the world and become friends.

I enjoy the process of making coffee and have always felt very fortunate.

Being able to turn my hobby into a profession/career has always been a small goal I've pursued.

Does Making Coffee Bring Satisfaction?

"Yes, when I make a complete cup of coffee in front of a customer and watch them finish it, I can feel an overwhelming sense of happiness."

"The first greeting from regular customers who come in every morning after we open, that mutual sense of trust, is what makes me feel satisfied."

Each coffee has different flavors, and each customer has different taste preferences.

When you recommend the right coffee for them and they trust your recommendation, that feeling is truly wonderful!

As someone who writes, I think, yes, that's absolutely true!

Being a barista means you can drink coffee for free, and lots and lots of coffee (laughs).

This is also what I envied before becoming a barista.

Coffee as a Lifestyle

After hundreds of years of development, coffee today is no longer just about tasting a type of food.

It's a "lifestyle."

Specialty coffee shops offer customers the possibility to "slow down,"

Sitting quietly in a coffee shop, experiencing the slow life away from the tense world.

Only by "slowing down" do you have the opportunity to think, to look around, and to generate more inspiration.

Many things can happen in a comfortable environment.

Because of this, what qualifications do people think a barista should have?

As someone who writes, I believe that the most important thing for becoming a barista is service & professionalism.

Secondly, it's important to understand that being a barista is not a high-income profession.

Other Important Skills for Baristas

In addition to the above, the following aspects are also very important:

Basic Operation of Espresso Machines

A good barista shouldn't be limited to using machines from a specific brand.

They should be able to quickly adapt to any machine and maintain consistent output;

And preferably be able to perform simple maintenance when the machine has minor issues.

Sensory Training

Need to generally understand the different flavors obtained from different extraction methods,

And be able to describe them accurately,

This way, you can demonstrate your professionalism when communicating with peers, especially with customers.

Basic Knowledge of Coffee Roasting

Although few coffee shops have their own roasting, understanding basic roasting knowledge

Can help you better understand the characteristics of beans from different growing regions,

The characteristics presented by different roast levels.

This also allows you to recommend which coffee beans customers should purchase, combining with your shop's coffee machine and grinder.

Other Skills Beyond Technical Requirements

Besides technical skills, what other soft skills should a barista have?

According to a barista friend who wishes to remain anonymous,

As a barista, you also need to know about:

National Geographic, crop cultivation, global climate,

Logistics and distribution, mechanical production, business management, infrastructure construction,

Graphic design, text editing, painting, photography, psychology,

Flower arrangement and bonsai, chemistry and physics, nutritional structure - you should have some knowledge of all these areas.

In reality, making a perfect cup of coffee is just the basic requirement.

Understanding the coffee making system, controlling the speed of output, avoiding waste,

Paying attention to factors like customer service and cleanliness are equally important.

Coffee is undoubtedly a vast field of study,

For baristas, there's always something new to learn.

Every day with coffee is wonderful.

Image source: Internet

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