baristas

Baristas are trained professionals who prepare and serve coffee drinks in cafes, coffee shops, and other food service settings. Their duties include pulling espresso shots, texturing milk, assembling beverages, taking orders, handling payments, and maintaining a clean workstation.

Core skills include understanding espresso extraction, milk science for lattes and cappuccinos, sensory evaluation, customer service, and the ability to operate commercial espresso machines, grinders, brewers, and related tools. Baristas also manage stock, cleanliness, and safety, and often work as part of a team.

Most training is on the job, but many baristas pursue formal programs or certifications. Organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association offer Barista Skills courses and levels. Continuous learning about coffee origins, roasting, brewing methods, and equipment calibration is common in the field.

Typical offerings include espresso-based drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, flat white) and brewed options (pour-over, drip, French press), plus cold beverages like iced coffee and cold brew. Equipment commonly used includes commercial espresso machines, grinders, tampers, steam wands, scales, and water filtration.

The term barista comes from Italian, originally referring to a bar worker in cafes. Today, the role is associated with the modern specialty coffee movement, which emphasizes consistency, coffee provenance, barista skill, and often participation in competitions and training.

Work environments vary by country and venue; many positions are part-time and shift-based. Wages depend on location and tips, with career paths leading to senior barista roles, shop management, training, or quality control in roasteries or chains.