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Permalink Reply by mike cubbage on September 4, 2008 at 12:06am

The best way I have found to motivate the staff is through cupping and experimentation. Once the initial training is done, the advanced training is basically a review of the basics. I find it beneficial to start cupping different coffees from the espresso blend. Most baristas will be amazed that they can tell a difference between coffee origins even the first time at the cupping table. I also liked splitting the shot into three sections (1st eight seconds, second ...) and tasting the individual pieces of a shot then blending them together to see how they all vary.

we even tried an iced espresso test. espresso directly on ice and one in ice with water. very interesting for everyone.