For many, drinking a cup of coffee is the most important part of the day. Usually taking place in the morning, it’s a way to get that jump start you need to have a kick a*s day.
Whether you drink your coffee at home or get it from a coffee shop or a coffee stand, there is no better way to start your morning.
However, sometimes your coffee experience can be bad. Whether it was the coffee itself, or the customer service you received, it is a delicate process that is crucial to your routine.
I have been a barista for a little over a year now, and I have seen many occurrences that can make for a bad coffee experience.
My one and only job is to ensure that you get a great cup of coffee, and do it with a smile on my face. Whether your bad experience was my fault or your own, it is never good to have a bad coffee experience.
Here are a few tips, tricks, and fun facts about coffee and baristas that can help make sure both you and I have smiles on our faces when you leave:
1. Speak LOUDLY.
You may not realize how hard it is to hear in coffee stands. There are multiple loud machines working, other conversations happening, and a few feet between us. To make sure that we hear your order correctly, speak loud and clearly to make sure we hear every little detail of your order.
2. Make sure you have our full attention.
Your order usually has a few aspects. What size, flavor, kind of coffee you want. Whether you want whip cream, straws, or a sleeve. These can be easily missed if you do not have the full attention of your barista. To make sure we hear your order in full, make sure we are totally focused on you.
3. Use Correct Lingo.
I cannot tell you how many times someone has told me they wanted a drink iced when they really wanted it blended, or have mistaken a latte for an americano. Coffee has certain keywords for the type of drink you want, and as baristas, we are taught those keywords. If you say one thing, but mean another, we won’t know that. So make sure you are all caught up on coffee lingo before making your order!
4. Be Patient.
Most coffee stands have two windows and a walk up window. We are usually juggling three customers at once, and trying to make sure all three of them leave with a good experience. Please be patient, especially if there is only one barista working all three windows. It will be worth your while to make sure you get the best cup of coffee.
5. Ask Questions.
If you are unsure about what a drink is, what is in it, or how many shots it comes with, ASK! Don’t feel like you bothering us, it is our job. If you ask about something you are concerned about, it can both fix your confusion and make sure you get the drink you want.
Something that has always concerned me in regards to coffee is health. You may not think that a simple cup of coffee can be bad for you, but with all of the additives, it really can be. Here are some simples tips to cut some calories from your drink:
1. Cut the flavor in half.
At my stand alone, we are taught to make our drinks with a lot of flavor. For example, in a red bull spritzer we use eight pumps of syrup and in a 24 oz. white chocolate mocha we use 2 and a half scoops of chocolate. That is almost 250 calories alone. Using only half that will give you the same flavor, but fewer calories.
2. Americanos are life savers.
You can get almost everything americano style. Just pick a flavor and a topper and it will taste almost the exact same as lattes and mochas, just without all of that added milk.
3. Use alternatives to dairy.
Almost all coffee stands have dairy alternatives like soy, almond, rice, and coconut milk. Utilize them!
4. Don’t get blended drinks every day.
You guys, these are SO bad for you. It is basically like a milkshake so you should only get them occasionally. If you have to get one every day, get a smaller size!
Working in the coffee industry has shown me just how much we rely on coffee in America. Here are some fun coffee facts you can share at the dinner table tonight:
- 55% of coffee drinkers would rather gain 10 pounds than give up coffee for life.
- 49% of coffee drinkers would rather give up their cell phones for a month than go without coffee.
- Seattle has 10 times more coffee stores per 100,000 residents than the United States has overall.
Being a barista has really changed my perspective on coffee and customer service. Coffee is one of the most important parts of the (coffee lovers) day, and all we want as baristas is to make your day great.
If you follow these tips and tricks, I promise you, we will both be much happier.
