3 Coffee Questions Every Barista is Tired of Hearing

Taking a trip to the coffee shop is probably one of your favorite times of the day—the sights, the inviting aromas, the relaxed atmosphere. If you are on the other side of the coffee counter though, it’s a different story. Being a barista, the person who patiently prepares your drinks, can be a stressful job; satisfying very specific customer requests, operating different machines quickly, dealing with demanding customers, etc. Baristas are also frequently asked some questions about coffee preparation, tools, and service. We’re ready to help those busy baristas by answering a few of these customer questions. Then, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to become a coffee expert on your own!   What is the perfect water temperature to brew coffee? The temperature of the water that you are using for brewing really does make a difference. Ideally, your brewer should maintain a temperature between 195° and 205° Fahrenheit for proper extraction. Cold water or water that is too hot will result in flat, poor quality tasting coffee. Keep in mind, that when you order coffee in a shop, it’s best not to ask for a specific temperature coffee.   What’s the best type of coffee grinder to use? There are two major types of coffee grinders—blade grinders and burr grinders. Although blade grinders are popular as they are less expensive, and are easy to use, you sacrifice a consistent, even grind. Blade grinders offer very little control, and can produce excessive heat which causes a burnt taste and less of a fragrant aroma. Therefore, coffee professionals prefer the use of burr grinders, as you have control over the ground size allowing for a more consistent grind. This means that you will not have that loss of flavor.   How can I make latte art/coffee art? Latte art, which has become more popular in coffee shops nowadays, is a creative way to prepare coffee, in which steamed milk is poured into espresso to make designs. These designs can also be made through manipulating or drawing in the foam layer. Latte art is a real skill acquired with patience and a lot of practice. That’s really all that it takes. We can’t give away the secret sauce, but there are lots of how-to-guides and even classes that you can take to perfect the process and become a master on your own!   Hopefully now, the next time you’re at the coffee shop, you can give those baristas a break from answering so many questions. Are you a busy barista yourself or a coffee consumer with unanswered questions? What are some of the most common questions you’ve asked or received? Please share your thoughts with us, as well as your fellow coffee lovers here, and you could be featured in a future post! If you would like to learn more about coffee, or are looking for some freshly roasted flavors unlike anything that you’ve ever tried before, we warmly invite you to visit us at CoffeeAM today.