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What is a Barista?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered March 01 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
A Barista is an individual who works in the service industry, serving coffee and other refreshments to patrons. Typically, Baristas will work in a café where they specialize in selling and preparing coffee for their customers. Although Baristas have traditionally served coffee-based beverages, this has expanded to include a wider assortment of beverages, hot and cold. The world of coffee is constantly evolving, and so are the various concoctions that a Barista prepares. New coffee-based drinks are becoming more commonplace, and Baristas will prepare other beverages their employer offers, such as tea or matcha.   
  
There is no shortage of variety, from lattes with different milk assortments to run-of-the-mill drip coffee. Baristas are coffee professionals and often have extensive knowledge about the beverages they serve. Some Baristas can be experts who work exclusively in coffee shops, while others may work in multi-purpose locations.   
  
Besides beverage preparation, Baristas must interact with customers and take on other roles behind the counter, such as preparing food or cleaning duties. 

Personality of a Barista 
  • Sociable  
Considering that coffee often brings people together or is part of someone's daily routine, it is common for Baristas to be more friendly than average. As a Barista, you work face-to-face with many customers, and being able to engage with them while making their coffee up to standard will help a Barista excel in their job.  

  • Knowledgeable  
There are several ways and styles to consume coffee, from pour-over coffee to cappuccinos. It means that Baristas should have a strong understanding of the beverage and create it according to their employer's and the customer's standards, as many customers require customizations. Coffee beans come from all over the world, and their distinct taste will vary based on the bean and how it is prepared.
  
  • Early Riser  
Due to the amount of caffeine in coffee, it is often consumed early in the morning, meaning that most Baristas have a schedule that can start very early. Although not all Baristas will have to work early in the morning, this is common for many and should be considered when applying for positions as a Barista. 
Easteregg!