Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 11:30, 25 August 2023

A barista (/bəˈriːstə, -ˈrɪs-/ bə-REE-stə, bə-RIST-ə, Italian: [baˈrista], Spanish: [baˈɾista]; "bartender") is a person, usually a coffeehouse employee, who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks.

Etymology and inflection

The word barista comes from Italian and Spanish where it means a male or female "bartender" who typically works behind a counter, serving hot drinks (such as espresso), cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks. Prieto (2021) shows that the word barista has been documented since 1916 in both Spanish and Italian. The native plural in English and Spanish is baristas, while in Italian the plural is baristi for masculine (literally "barmen", "bartenders") or bariste for feminine (literally "barmaids").

Application of the title

While the title is not regulated, most coffee shops use the title to describe the preparer of coffee and operator of an espresso machine.

Baristas generally operate a commercial espresso machine, and their role is preparing and pulling the shot; the degree to which this is automated or done manually varies significantly, ranging from push-button operation to an involved manual process. Espresso is a notoriously finicky beverage, and good manual espresso-making is considered a skilled task. Further, preparation of other beverages, particularly milk-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes, but also non-espresso coffee such as drip or press pot, requires additional work and skill for effective frothing, pouring and most often latte art. In Starbucks, over the counter employees are referred to as "baristas", although the preparation process is fully automated.

The barista usually has been trained to operate the machine and to prepare the coffee based on the guidelines of the roaster or shop owner, while more experienced baristas may have discretion to vary preparation or experiment. To make the coffee well, there is a series of steps needing attention, including grinding the beans, extracting the coffee, frothing the milk and pouring.

Beyond the preparation of espresso and other beverages and general customer service, skilled baristas acquire knowledge of the entire process of coffee to effectively prepare a desired cup of coffee, including maintenance and programming of the machine, grinding methods, roasting, and coffee plant cultivation, similar to how a sommelier is familiar with the entire process of winemaking and consumption. A barista can acquire these skills by attending training classes, but they are more commonly learned on the job.

Competition

Formal barista competitions originated in Norway, and one such is the World Barista Championships, held annually at varied international locations. Baristas worldwide compete, though they must first compete in a competition held in their own country to qualify to enter in the WBC, such as the United States Barista Championship.

See also

• Bikini barista
• Milkman
• Soda jerk
• Sommelier
• Coffee portal

References

1. "barista | Origin and meaning of barista by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
2. ^ "What It Means to Be a Barista". The Spruce Eats. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
3. "Barista" | Rinconete Centro Virtual Cervantes". Retrieved 2021-11-26.
4. Anand, Shitka (10 November 2011). "How to make perfect coffee: Sydney's best baristas reveal their secrets". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
5. Wendelboe, Tim (May 1, 2005) The Future of the World Barista Championship. Archived 2012-11-20 at the Wayback Machine "CoffeeGeek.com" Retrieved on 2006-oct-25
6. "World Barista Championship".

v t e Coffee in Italy
Roasters	illy Lavazza Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group Caffè Pascucci Caffè del Doge Guglielmo Caffè
Historical coffeehouses	Antico Caffè Greco Caffè Bardi Caffè-Pasticceria Cova Caffè Florian Caffè Giubbe Rosse Caffè Lavena Caffè Michelangiolo Caffè Quadri Caffè San Marco Caffè Fiorio Caffè Gambrinus Gran Caffè Doney Palazzina Majani, Bologna Pedrocchi Café Antico Caffè Spinnato
People	Alfonso Bialetti Francesco Illy Luigi Lavazza Angelo Moriondo
Technology	Bialetti Caffitaly Cimbali FrancisFrancis De'Longhi Elektra Faema Gaggia La Marzocco Lelit Rancilio Saeco Smeg
Drinks	Affogato Barbajada Bicerin Bombardino Caffè corretto Caffè crema Caffè macchiato Cappuccino Espressino Espresso Lungo Ristretto Doppio Latte macchiato Marocchino Mocaccino Shakerato Gassosa al caffè Moretta
Other	Barista Caffè sospeso Easy Serving Espresso Pod Espresso machine IperEspresso ISSpresso Lavazza A Modo Mio Moka pot Neapolitan flip coffee pot
Coffee portal   Italy portal

• Coffee culture
• Hospitality occupations
• Food services occupations
• Baristas
• Coffee in Italy