Baristas have been around for centuries, though the term barista has recently gained a vast amount of attention. Prior to large coffee chains educating their staff on the proper ways to make lattes and cappuccinos, Italian coffee makers had been perfecting the art of the perfect cup for many years. Today, those aspiring to walk in the footsteps of many Italian coffee pioneers can attend barista school.
Schools that teach students how to become baristas have popped up all over the globe. Most of these programs are six months long and involve all the intricacies of making coffee. Students will learn how to select beans, grind beans, and pour all kinds of coffee concoctions. Selecting a barista school begins with taking a close look at those countries that are known for turning out impressive baristas.
Italian schools are, arguably, the best, since coffee is a way of life in Italy. These schools offer complete barista courses for any student wishing to learn. Other countries that have many different barista programs to select from include England, Australia, and the United States. In addition, some Asian schools are now offering these courses due to popular demand.
Aside from selecting the country that you want to study in, you should also take a look at the type of program each school offers. Some schools present students with a hands-on approach, while other schools tend to teach students from textbooks. Depending upon the type of student that you are, one sort of school may appeal to your academic sense more than the other. Also, take the time to learn a bit about those teaching courses at any school you are considering.
Make sure that any barista school you are interested in employs experienced professors. Any teacher that has placed in the Barista Championship is worth learning from. In addition, teachers that have been working as baristas for a number of years will prove to be excellent teachers. Some schools that you might want to consider include Caffe La Barista; Home Barista Institute; and the American Barista and Coffee School.
You'll find that most of the schools mentioned above are located in various countries around the globe. Partaking in a program that is offered in another country is a great way to experience the global coffee community. If you don't speak a foreign language, you may have to seek an alternative to the popular barista school. Luckily, there are some options when it comes to learning the coffee trade outside of a barista school.
Many large coffee chains throughout North America offer barista courses for employees. While not as intense as some dedicated courses, employees of these chains often gain a large amount of useful knowledge. Another way to learn about coffee is to act as an apprentice to a master barista. If you happen to admire one barista or another, simply ask this person whether or not you can learn from them. Any of the approaches to becoming a barista mentioned above are well worth looking into for the true coffee enthusiast.
