In Italy, a barista is a uniformed mixologist who specializes in alcohol and coffee-based beverages. In the coffee industry, a barista is an expert in making espresso and espresso-based drinks, with knowledge of an espresso machine’s capabilities and different coffee blends. A good barista is also expected to have knowledge of garnishing techniques and can compete in national and international competitions.
When visiting a bar or café in Italy, a customer may very well encounter a uniformed barista called a barista. In Italy, this person is an experienced mixologist familiar with alcohol and coffee-based beverages. He might even wear an elaborate jacket similar to that of a bandmaster or military officer. A bartender is usually treated as a respected specialist, in the same manner as a wine steward or sommelier.
When the gourmet coffee industry exploded onto the scene in the 1980s and ’90s, however, the term took on a slightly different meaning. A barista in the coffee sense is an expert in making espresso and espresso-based drinks. Espresso is a form of coffee with an intense flavor generally served in a cup called a demitasse. To make the perfect cup of espresso, a barista puts a measured amount of ground coffee into a wire basket and presses it down firmly. The wire basket is then clamped under the spout of an espresso machine.
An experienced bartender should know exactly how much hot water should be forced through the mains and for how long. If the time is too short, the espresso will be weak and watery, but if it takes too long, the espresso will be too strong to drink. It is this intimate knowledge of an espresso machine’s capabilities that makes a good barista indispensable to a coffeeshop. You may also need to create a good froth from the steamed milk or allow the espresso to form a natural dark layer on top called crema.
A barista’s skills go beyond being a good coffee maker. In some coffee shops, you are also expected to have a working knowledge of all the different gourmet coffee blends on offer. Customers can also ask about roasting times or which grinder settings work best. A good bartender also learns different garnishing techniques, such as creating signature designs with sticks and cream. There are national and international competitions that test all these skills.
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