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Permalink Reply by Daniel King Pizzutti on September 8, 2010 at 7:31pm

Coffee has many different ways to be approached. So it's important to find an aspect that will a comfortable fit. There are many different ways to brew coffee, and a good start is to try all the most accessible ones. I will just assume that you've had drip coffee, but if not then brewers can be had pretty easily. However, my favorite and probably the cheapest is a pour over system.
I am sure you are very interested in pulling espresso, but I am hesitant to suggest a home barista method for a few reasons. Proper espresso requires certain variables to be able to pull espresso, and decent machines can be expensive. However a great system is the Aero-press process. It isn't the typical espresso machine shot, but it can pull very good shots. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Regardless, I think the most important item to purchase is the grinder. Getting a good grinder will last a very long time, and can be adapted for all different types of systems. I find it to be the most common weak link in home brewed coffee. So let me know if you need a suggestion on that.
Assuming you have a good grinder and a system you feel comfortable using, beans will be the obvious next link in the drink. I tend to prefer light roasts, since they have more caffeine (yay), and it is easier to taste the flavors. Although your preference may very, but experimentation is part of being a barista. You'll want to focus on the grind, time, dosing (how much coffee you use) and extraction (how strong it is). I would stick to blends at first, then single-origins second. But have fun with it, that's another part of being a barista too (yay).
Once you have that down, finding a job behind bar is the next step (if you so choose). A few things to keep in mind. Working with coffee at a cafe is mostly about people imo. There are many opinions about coffee in the world. These notes herein from me included. But the ability to work with people is a huge asset. Many places believe it is easier to train a person on a commercial espresso machine, then to train a person to work with people. I subscribe to the theory for the most part. Having said that, I think the most ubiquitous place to get started is to work at a Starbucks. Now, I am not a fan of Starbucks, but I know many great baristas that have started from there and moved on to better things. It will get you used to "rush" periods, working as a team and drink memorizing. If you don't have a SB around, a local shop may be an amazing place to start. The only thing I'll say about independent cafes, is that they can sometimes be a terrible place for an aspiring barista to start. Not all mind you, but some owners can have an interesting way of creating programs that do not focus on making good coffee. And can be closed-minded about developing a better one. Please don't let that prevent you, there are many great shops out there. They just can be hard to find out there. However, ymmv. Even if this is the case, it could still be great place to get your feet wet in the cafe world. Especially if you get lots of bar time.
But if you do work for SB or a lower quality cafe, be sure to learn the traditional way of making Lattes, Cappuccinos, Macchiatos, Espresso (Ristretto as well), Con Pannas etc. They may not require you, or even train you how to properly make these drinks. But with this knowledge and the skills you learn from these cafes, you will have the abilities to move on. And I am sure eventually someone will come in hoping that someone like yourself actually knows these things. Cafes are about adaptability as well.
There are though, many great espresso making cafes looking for people such as yourself, are dedicated to learning coffee. In which case all of these things will be addressed. I just thought I would give you the basic outline to the tools you may need to do it, without a great cafe to start off on. Not everyone can be so lucky, an the market can sometimes be saturated depending on where you live. But the four biggest points in my opinion are Patience, Logic, Experimentation and Self Confidence.
I think that pretty much wraps that up for now, sorry it's a lot to read. I didn't want to overlook something (though I'm sure I did). Let me know if you have any questions or need suggestions. I'll offer my help any way I can. Oh and of course... HAVE FUN! Coffee is a great thing to work with.

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Permalink Reply by Brady on September 9, 2010 at 4:50am

Skip the home rig and focus on just enjoying coffee from pourover, for all the reasons the previous poster mentioned. Work on palate development and educating yourself about coffee itself. Interest and attitude will be far more interesting to a potential employer than skill on home equipment. Your prospective employer will train you.

There are lots of discussions her on how to get a job as a barista. Use the search function and look for them. Lots and lots of good advice from cafe owners about that. Lots of info on everything coffee related here, so take some time to browse through some of the past conversations here.

Look around for coffee events in your area. There are tons of opportunities for those interested in coffee to learn from and network with coffee people. Barista jams, workshops, latte art throwdowns, cuppings, even beginner training happen all the time, usually cheap or free. Find a cupping and start going to it as often as possible.

Good luck.

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