With more people working in offices and on computers, coffee consumption is surely increasing. That is why, we see more local roasters nowadays and more businesses opening coffee shops near major office buildings. The coffee brewing industry is growing in restaurants as well. With specialty coffee becoming an increasingly popular trend, a lot of venues are benefiting from having a separate coffee menu for their guests. In this blog post, we’ll elaborate more on the main hot and cold brew coffee courses and how a restaurant can benefit from this growing niche. Make sure to also check our post on the best coffee roasters in the US.
What Does a Barista Training Course Include?
Anyone who wishes to pursue a coffee career should consider applying for a barista course. There are different levels of training. Most of them combine theoretical knowledge with practical lessons. Here are the main points included in most courses:
- Basics of espresso drinks. Learning about the espresso machine, how it works, and what are the components of the machine is essential knowledge. Furthermore, these lessons include information about the types of coffee beans and espresso blends.
- Coffee grinding and dosing. From fine to coarse, there are multiple levels of coffee grinds. The grinding is different depending on the coffee brewing method used.
- Milk and coffee combinations. There are dozens of varieties of coffee drinks with milk. Cappuccino, latte, and macchiato are among the most popular ones.
- The art of designer coffees. Aesthetics are an important part of coffee consumption. That is why designs and patterns on the top of the foam are becoming more popular. This chapter teaches baristas how to create some of the popular patterns. This knowledge is essential nowadays as it has the potential to turn into one of the important restaurant marketing strategies.
- Customer experience and service. Making recommendations, taking orders, and offering good pairings is an important part of the job.
- Menu management and knowledge. A barista is often expected to recommend the inclusion of new hot and cold brewed coffee in a restaurant’s menu. They should be picked based on current performance, popular meals, and restaurant strategy.
Keep in mind that a barista course can vary a lot. There are differences between coffee shops and restaurant staff training. Also, as the role of tea and coffee in restaurants is evolving, there are continuous workshops for those who wish to specialize in different directions of the coffee brewing art.
Key takeaway: There are many coffee brewing courses available. As the coffee industry is constantly growing and changing, a restaurant can benefit from having a professional barista on its staff.
Specialty Coffee Barista Training
One of the coffee trends in recent years is specialty coffee. These highly-quality drinks score above 80 out of 100 points in the Specialty Coffee Association cupping form. Their price is significantly higher compared to other coffee brands. To guarantee that all flavors and notes are kept, specialty coffee is prepared by highly-skilled baristas. They undergo a special course that helps them develop a deep understanding of these exquisite drinks and how to perfect the coffee brewing process.
What Does the Specialty Coffee Barista Training Include?
The coffee selection is one of the most important topics in such a course. Choosing the right beans based on the coffee brewing method, the equipment, and the type of venue is the basis for an exceptional coffee experience.
Another part of the specialty coffee brewing training is flavor profiling and tasting. Having a good palate for coffee is an absolute must for a professional barista. This training includes profiling in order to choose the optimal coffee brewing technique. Furthermore, a good palate might help the restaurant pair the drink with the right food. This additionally helps in upselling guests and increasing the venue’s profits.
French press, AeroPress, pour-over, and espresso machine are just some of the brewing methods used for coffee. A highly-skilled barista will be able to choose the right one depending on the quality of the beans and their origin. Additionally, picking the right coffee brewing method is intertwined with the grind size and dosing. Since specialty coffee is much more expensive than regular coffee brands, choosing the optimal dosage is important.
High-skilled baristas who specialize in specialty coffee brewing regularly attend additional workshops and training to stay up to date with the latest trends in the coffee world.
Cold Brew Coffee Courses
There are special courses and workshops for cold brew coffee drinks. In addition to regular theoretical and practical knowledge of coffee brewing, these courses focus on specific things related to cold-served coffee beverages.
Cold coffee drinks require specific equipment, techniques, and ingredients. Additionally, as they are becoming increasingly popular, there are many new trends in the field. One example is nitro cold brew coffee which is charged with nitrogen gas coffee that has a smoother texture compared to regular iced coffee.
Latte Art Courses
With the increasing importance of marketing, latte art is becoming a crucial part of the coffee-making process. That is why, there is training that focuses on creating simple or complex coffee cup patterns. A major component of these courses is practice, but there’s a large part of theoretical knowledge. For example, it’s important to know what types of milk are best fit for latte art.
Among the latest trends are 3D cappuccino art and colored latte drinks.
Designer coffees are also great for marketing. A professional barista can attract many customers just by creating Instagram post-worthy drinks.
How a Restaurant Can Benefit from Coffee Brewing Courses?
Continuous restaurant staff training is important to increase the quality of the service and the profitability of the venue. There are benefits for waiters to attend coffee brewing courses too. That way, they can better recommend drinks to guests and upsell them. The same goes not only for coffee but for other drinks as well. If your staff understands tea varieties properly, your guests can count on suitable tea and food pairing recommendations.
With the advance of technology, there are many innovations in the field of coffee. Smart AI coffee machines are just an example. As the job is becoming more complex and there are many new opportunities to improve a venue’s coffee menu, the restaurant staff should be up to date with the trends.
Restaurants can also profit from organizing coffee brewing courses. They can be a fun activity that brings a lot of customers to your place. A restaurant’s success depends on its ability to adapt. That is why many businesses are offering different products and services like cold brew subscription boxes or trivia quiz nights. Organizing brunch events that include coffee brewing courses for amateurs can be great for brand awareness, especially in a saturated market.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Brewing Courses
If you are a restaurant manager who’s considering investing in barista equipment and training, the following answers might help you.
Should Other Restaurant Staff Members Undergo Barista Training?
It can be beneficial for waiters and bartenders to attend barista courses too. This way they can recommend better food pairings or improve their cocktail mixing skills. Usually, barista training includes hot drink menu management. Therefore, bar and restaurant managers can also attend coffee brewing courses.
Are There Tea Brewing Courses?
Tea is even more popular than coffee. As such, there are numerous tea classes and certifications available. Skilled baristas can benefit from attending as they will give them additional knowledge in the field of hot drinks.
How Long Does Barista Training Take?
An average course for a professional barista takes around three months to complete. However, true experience comes with practice. It takes at least a year of working as a barista to understand the small details of the job. Most high-skilled professionals have many years of experience in the field. Attending additional courses, workshops, and training can also help improve a barista’s knowledge and skills.