We all love a good cup of coffee, and it's no wonder we make time to learn more about this beverage that accompanies us every morning, and if you're like me, every midday and afternoon. But no matter how much we love coffee, there's always someone who will surpass us, and thanks to their passion, we can enjoy delicious preparations based on the world's most famous bean. They are the baristas, a select group of professionals who, with great patience, dedication, and effort, create the best coffee preparations in our cups.
What is its origin and what do they do with the coffee?
Italy is the country where this profession got its name, and thanks to the first baristas, today we can enjoy preparations we all love, such as cappuccino, espresso, cacchiato, and many others now enjoyed around the world. Initially, for Italians, the barista was simply the server in charge of serving coffee, but with the internationalization and professionalization of the profession, this career centered around coffee began to develop.
And what does a barista do? Basically, coffee. But what makes their preparations so unique? Simple, Their specialty, the knowledge and experience they have to make the coffee, no matter how simple it may seem, perfect. To achieve this, you need a deep understanding of the different types of coffee, the origins of each bean, and how this influences the flavor. Additionally, you must consider the type of roast, the specific grind for each preparation or method used, and finally, the characteristics of the water used to prepare the beverage. Simple, right? Espresso is the basis of many coffee preparations, so the barista must know the different proportions in each of these, as well as the ingredients according to the preparation requested. Knowing how to emulsify the milk to the right consistency is also an important skill.
And to complete this mission, like other bar professions such as bartenders, baristas spend a lot of time learning and practicing different techniques to develop new and innovative preparations. They also spend a lot of time learning latte art, which involves creating designs on the surface of the coffee foam.
Techniques and preparations with coffee
As we were saying, Latte Art is a technique that consists of form figures in the coffee, this is achieved by manipulating the flow of milk as it enters the drink. You can draw different shapes to achieve proper control of the cup when pouring the milk, but there are also special engraving tools such as the coffee pen.
Espresso Coffee
As we've already discussed, this is the most iconic coffee-based beverage and is recognized for its intensity and high concentration of coffee. To prepare it, the barista needs to be thoroughly familiar with all the functions and capabilities of the coffee maker being used. The water, 50 grams to be exact for this drink, passes through the ground coffee block of approximately 10g and does so for an estimated time of 25 to 30 seconds at a temperature of 90Β°C.
Creaming of milk
It's the process of emulsifying milk. It's done by introducing air and heating it. Although it sounds simple, like everything in this profession, it has its complexity. The milk should be heated to no more than 60Β°C to harmonize it and give it a sweeter taste, while also achieving a creamy, shiny texture. The steamer should always be purged first and the very cold milk added to the steel pitcher. The technique for achieving this best is to hold the steamer tilted over the milk and monitor the temperature and depth until the desired texture is achieved. Coffee extraction is an important part of a barista's knowledge; they must understand the extraction methods, filters, and which one works best with the roast and grind of the beans selected. They should also know how to use a blender for cold drinks such as cold brew, frappΓ©s, and other cocktail preparations where our favorite beverage is paired with different liqueurs.
Finally, all that remains is to thank these coffee geniuses, because that's what they are. We must acknowledge that, thanks to their passion and dedication to preparing the best coffee every day, by giving our cups not only the best flavor but also adding a touch of art and all their knowledge, they contribute to making us more and more coffee lovers every day.