The barista is the key factor that stands between a good cup of coffee and a great cup of coffee. Many cafes will rave about the quality and blend of their beans but ultimately the soul behind your drink is expressed through the man behind the machine, who is the barista.
A perfect cup of coffee is produced by the barista who knows your preferences and makes an intentional effort to brew it. So keep a lookout and if you find a barista with the following characteristics, you will be in for a good cup consistently.
1. Passion, passion, passion
Passion is the key ingredient for any great piece of work and it’s not any different when it comes to brewing. Having adequate technical knowledge in operating the machine and having an understanding of the raw materials will be essential. However, having a passion to serve will add that extra flavour to the beverage.
2. A “shot” of humility
Some baristas are simply focusing on producing a “perfect cup” of coffee. In that process, they miss out on the human touch and interaction. After all, a great barista knows that cup of coffee is going to feed the ‘soul’ of their customers. Hence, it’s not how great your skills are, it’s how sensitive you are to the needs of your customers.
3. Being zen
Yes, that’s one important characteristic for a barista, since consistency in the quality of coffee produced is vital. Being able to hold his/her peace in the midst of serving the demands of the caffeine craving morning/lunch crowd is essential.
4. People over coffee
Remember, it’s not just about the coffee that people are after. The reason why some customers visit the same cafes over and over again is because of the great hospitality that they receive. A great barista understands this, and the coffee is a simply just a channel to build a meaningful relationship.
So the next time you a walk into a cafe to enjoy a cup of coffee, do take the opportunity to have a chat and get to know the people who are out to make your day awesome!
