All Blog Posts (1,794)

Search Blog Posts

We failed this morning...

We were the pig in the slaughterhouse, the fish who swallowed the hook, the emperor with no clothes…..and we had to utter the five words that plague all barista’s dreams: We are out of coffee.



You see, Starbucks’ corporate offices recently decided to implement a new brewing strategy that would virtually eliminate all possibility of running out of regular, bold, or decaffeinated coffee. Essentially, the innovation is a bright idea based on a rotation of urns with a new type of coffee… Continue

Added by James Ciago on July 15, 2009 at 2:53pm — 4 Comments

Refurbished Coffee Equipment

Hey all. I am opening a coffee shop in NY in a couple of months and am trying to keep my initial costs as low as possible. I was wondering what other people's thoughts were on getting used equipment and where I could find the best deals out there....
thoughts???

Added by Jeremy Saul on July 15, 2009 at 8:18am — No Comments

Meet the Special Chottie.



My beloved caffeine enamored friends, it is time to introduce the chottie, the delectable drink pictured above (which, coincidentally, was quickly consumed by me this morning). The idea of the chottie was born on one of our monthly customer satisfaction reports when we read the comments left by an apparently satisfied customer.



The transcript is recorded as follows:



Question: “What was your favorite thing about this visit… Continue

Added by James Ciago on July 14, 2009 at 3:40pm — No Comments

4th Giro D'Italia Giotto Charitable Auction for Coffee Kids

We're into our fourth auction for Coffee Kids and we were able to import one more machine, so we've got a total of three more up for auction over the next few weeks. The machines came into the store last week, so check out a video of the features:

If you're interested in purchasing a unique and excellently performing collector's item while also contributing to a great cause, please help us raise some cash! You can find more details and a link to… Continue

Added by Kat Oak on July 14, 2009 at 12:07pm — No Comments

There's a Sleeper Cell in My Latte...

Matcha, essentially, is powdered green tea. Matcha is very useful for mixing with milk or cream base to make “delicious” lattes and frappuccinos. However, what happens when BaristaJim is subjected to this fluffy, green substance? He gets sick. Very sick. I’m not talking about a little sniff here, a little sniff there. I’m referring to sore, debilitating, closing throats.



Thus, what happens when somebody orders a Strawberry Banana Matcha Vivanno? I find myself handing out a… Continue

Added by James Ciago on July 13, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

The First...

I’m usually perplexed as what to write when I start a new website, blog, homepage, or the like. Thus, instead of permitting my thoughts to meander around, I will hone them in and focus them on all things coffee.



You see, working at Starbucks presents the simultaneous blessing and curse of working with the public. It offers a venue for great conversations, connections, and networking. However, it also makes this barista vulnerable to many conjectures about something he’s devoted a… Continue

Added by James Ciago on July 13, 2009 at 7:54pm — No Comments

Slayer, Professional Espresso

I recently took a trip to Georgetown to take a look at another side of what's coming up in "specialty coffee."

The trip? To Slayer Espresso.

A review I wrote WhyNotCoffee.wordpress.com

Added by Alex Negranza on July 13, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Breezy Point Live - Day 1

Wrapped up Itasca - it was wet but a great camping trip. Currently on Day 1 of Breezy Point. Just wrapped up dinner on the deck, mini putt golf at the Pirate's Cove followed by go-carting. Glad to have that out of the way.



Wife is reading books to the boys right now at 10:30. I can't remember the last time they were in bed before 10 and they are 4 and 7 years old. Grandma and Grandpa were in town for the birth of their fourth of four girl cousins so they've been up late (no boys and… Continue

Added by Mike on July 10, 2009 at 10:44am — No Comments

Want a Rocket Espresso machine for $320?

Seattle Coffee Gear auction bids are low so far this week: http://bit.ly/3NEhBz

Added by Melissa Allison on July 6, 2009 at 5:08pm — 3 Comments

Know where we can rent a coffee Truck or cart near NYC?

We are thinking about putting a coffee concession stand at out Towns annual celebration. Does anyone know a contact close to NYC for renting a movable unit specifically for coffee? Or do you have any suggestions or comments... we haven't done this before......Thanks

Added by Sunny Cover on July 5, 2009 at 5:49pm — 2 Comments

Coffee Processing/Handling Techniques Play out in the Cup

SEE ORIGINAL POSTING, INCLUDING PHOTOS, AT THE CROP TO CUP BLOG HERE.

Coffee Processing/Handling Techniques (at origin) Play out in the Cup



Lessons from cuppings of six different Uganda Bugisu coffees



by Taylor… Continue

Added by Taylor Mork on July 3, 2009 at 8:27pm — No Comments

wanting to be a barista someday ..

I'm Andrew 20 year old from the Philippines , a graduate of BS Hotel and Restaurant Management in De La Salle University - Dasmariñas . In the years of my study i dont really enjoy my chosen course , sometimes i dont listen to my professors and when i try to listen it just like my mind dont want to absorb the knowledge from it :)) LOL ! . i dont know how to cook when we are in the laboratory i am just a dishwasher or sometimes a marketer . ARGH but i know how to serve the foods . when i take my… Continue

Added by Marc Andrew Miranda on July 2, 2009 at 7:57pm — No Comments

Fresh Cup's July issue!

www.freshcup.com



Features:



Ready to Ware

Stylish teapots, infusers and sets can help beautify your shop, but function trumps all

By Jeanette Hurt…



Continue

Added by Fresh Cup Magazine on July 2, 2009 at 10:44am — No Comments

The beggining

Its about 2:05 am here in collingwood

and i decided that its time for a double short americano



This is my first blog... Ever, my facebook just has dust on it

I want to make this a daily blog dont know if anyone will actualy read it

but atleast I can kill some time.. this is what happens when im not

at work for a couple days. but i would assume like every other

barista that we make daily visits to our cafes multipule times in a day

3 times for me today… Continue

Added by D.J West on June 30, 2009 at 11:22pm — No Comments

What a difference a grinder mod makes....

i just finished the install of Michael Elvin's 'Elvinator' and I am so impressed! Just a little piece of plastic in between the doser lever plate and the chute changes everything. On top of a good cleaning, its like I have a new Mazzer! Sure, a little mucking about and scrubbing after getting the doser removed is always messy, but a clean grinder is a better performing one. My counter is cleaner, and my barista are already freaking out! I highly recommend this mod to anyone who works with a… Continue

Added by Andrew R. Tucker on June 30, 2009 at 2:32pm — 1 Comment

Tea and chocolate....

were more popular at the New York Fancy Food Show than coffee. Tea and chocolate are both projecting more of a premium image than coffee at that food show. Chocolate in particular touting single origins, even single estates -- copying what coffee has been doing for years

Added by Scott Lush on June 30, 2009 at 4:38am — No Comments

Just back from the New York Fancy Food Show

and I noticed that Italian espresso roasters are making a big effort to break into the US. And some of their espressos are awesome. They have names like Esse Cafe, Cafe Sant Eustache, Cafe Makimbo, and a bunch of names we've never heard of until now.

Added by Scott Lush on June 30, 2009 at 4:36am — No Comments

Into the Summer

Well, its no secret that the summer months are considered by most in retail to be the lean months so here we are well under way. So far, at least through June, it looks like we will still have our doors open for the fall and consequent holiday season which is an encouragement. But it is not nearly enough just to lay in a fetal position and wait for the holidays, action is more essential now than ever during the year (I am preaching mostly to myself here). I just read an article in the current… Continue

Added by David Fell on June 29, 2009 at 9:53pm — No Comments

After 17 years of roasting, Fonté Coffee will open first retail store inside Seattle's Four Seasons Hotel

http://bit.ly/6wWdf

Added by Melissa Allison on June 29, 2009 at 11:49am — 1 Comment

SCAE - 1st World Championship o Cezve Ibrik

During the COFFEENA Fair in Cologne / Germany the first World Championship of Cezve Ibrik was hold. We are talking about coffees to be prepared like the Turkish or Greek way of doing it (roasting, brewing and serving). 10 participants took part at this championship. They had 12 minutes to show the judges drinks prepared in this way, 2 of them without any additives, 2 with spices and sugar and 2 signature drinks. The classification was:



Champion - Christina Koumpouni - Greece

2nd… Continue

Added by Birgit on June 29, 2009 at 7:15am — 3 Comments

Featured Blog Posts

View All

Latest Blog Posts

Most Popular Blog Posts

Monthly Archives

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

1999

Barista Exchange Partners

Partner Discount Series Offers

Barista Exchange Friends

Keep Barista Exchange Free

Are you enjoying Barista Exchange? Is it helping you promote your business and helping you network in this great industry? Donate today to keep it free to all members. Supporters can join the "Supporters Group" with a donation. Thanks!

Clicky Web Analytics