Barista Skills
Foundation
The key skills to set a grinder, make espresso, and foam and texture milk for cappuccinos. An introductory understanding of coffee that sets a foundation for milk technique and latte art.
- Beginners who want the correct foundational barista routines.
- Home enthusiasts learning grinder calibration, recipes and milk texturing.
- New café staff needing hospitality, equipment operation and safety.
What you’ll learn
Coffee Science & Extraction
- Recognise taste, caffeine and environmental differences between Arabica and Robusta.
- Calibrate grind size and adapt recipes to fix sour or bitter extraction.
Milk Techniques & Latte Art
- Manage fresh-milk storage to eliminate spoilage and flavour defects.
- Master steaming to create shiny micro-foam at recommended temperatures.
Workflow & Barista Leadership
- Use commercial workflows to handle orders smoothly under pressure.
- Distribute and tamp flat to prevent channelling and wrist strain.
Equipment, Water & QC
- Identify machine and grinder components; monitor safe boiler pressure.
- Test water hardness for scale risk and run daily cleaning loops.
Menu Design & Profitability
- Build menu drinks using standardised espresso, milk and foam ratios.
- Improve hospitality while keeping station waste below target.