A Barista’s Guide to a Successful Work Shift
Are you a new barista unsure of how to manage your shift? Or an experienced barista who sometimes finds things getting disorganised behind the bar?...
Shaun is a contributor based in South Africa and Co-founder of the Red Band Academy.
Barista Basics: How to Texture Milk in 14 Steps
Milk texturing is probably the toughest thing to learn as a new barista or trainee. Yes, you’ll encounter harder tasks later on in your coffee...
Barista Basics: How to Make an Espresso in 14 Steps
Espresso: roughly 30 ml of coffee goodness. An amazing espresso can be complex, full-bodied, and sweet. It can be the best thing about your day....
Barista Competitions: What Do You Need to Be a Coffee Champion?
Barista competitions are the epitome of barista excellence. Whether it’s a regional, national, or world championship, they will stretch you to your limit. By participating,...
Barista Blues: Why Are You Sick of Your Job & What Can You Do?
Has being a barista started to feel like a drag? Do you have to force yourself to smile at customers? Does work leave you tired...
Coffee Shop Etiquette: Table Hogging & Other Faux Pas to Avoid
We’ve all had a coffee shop visit ruined by a rude customer – or seen one ruin a barista’s day. So how do we make...
Barista Excellence: How to Stay in Love With Coffee
As a barista, you have a rare opportunity: to work in a job you love. I may be biased, but I believe there’s no more...
Why You Should Organise a Coffee Event – And How to Do It
Every thriving coffee community needs events. They allow people to meet, discuss, and collaborate. They provide a platform for innovation. They help professionals to improve...
Baristas, Here Are 5 Ways to Stay Motivated About Coffee
There comes a time in most baristas’ lives when coffee just isn’t exciting any more. Great pours don’t inspire you. You put that little bit...
Coffee Skills: The Daily Routines of a Specialty Barista
Want to be the best barista you can be? A few weeks ago I wrote about the need to find your passion, to further your education,...
Coffee Skills: What Makes a Great Barista?
As baristas, we should aim to stand out. I’m not talking about being the centre of attention, but something else – something about the way...
How to Grow a Generation of BariSTARS: 6 Steps
Coffee is a wonderful thing – but, as a barista and coach myself, the ultimate satisfaction comes from mentoring the next generation of baristas. It’s...
AFCA in Action: Tackling Gender Inequality in African Coffee Farming
Did you know that women make up 75% of Africa’s coffee farming workforce? Africa produces a vast variety of uniquely delicious coffees. From the shores...
How Do You Tackle Youth Unemployment? A Barista Academy
Early in 2013, three of us sat down for a chat and a coffee. By the time we’d finished our coffees, we had a plan...
6 Days, 26 Hours: Preparing for Your 1st Barista Competition
Imagine you have your first ever barista competition in two weeks. Feeling daunted? We’re not surprised – but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible task....
Barista Careers: How to Make Drinks Recommendations
Making a recommendation is one of the hardest and most important things about being an excellent barista. We’re not just order takers. We’re order-creators, even...