100... - Costa Coffee Barista "Interview"

Whilst passing through Woolley Edge Motor Way services, I visited the Costa counter and asked the Barista that was on shift at the time if I could ask them a few questions relating to what they do. Whilst the chat was going on I scribbled down notes for each of the questions.

The Barista's name was Adam Wooller. I asked politely for a photo of him 'working' to show who it was I was talking to at the time.

How long have you been a Costa Barista?

For about 2 years now, and I have been a Barista Maestro for around 20 months.

What is the difference between being a Barista and a Barista Maestro?

Being a Barista Maestro means you are more like a supervisor with more responsibility of making sure everything is done to brand standards and everyone is trained properly. As well as things such as ordering and what not.

Do you like it?

Yes.

Would you say it was difficult to do?

It's not really a difficult job no, once you have been fully trained and know what you're doing.

How was the training?

It was quite hard learning and remembering the different types of coffee and what goes in what, but once you know it it's hard to forget.

Describe an Americano.

Hot water with espresso and milk if required.

Describe a Cappuccino.

A frothy coffee which is a 3rd espresso, 3rd steamed milk and 3rd froth.

Describe a Latte.

A tall weaker milky coffee.

Describe a Flat White.

A rich velvety smooth coffee - richer than a latte and smoother than a cappuccino.

Describe a Mocha.

Very much like a cappuccino but made with hot chocolate milk.

What is the most popular coffee you sell here?

Latte.

What is the usual way to make a Medio Latte?
- fill the milk jug to the bottom of the spout.
- purge steam arm.
- place steam arm fully under the milk.
- turn steam valve fully and heat milk to right temperature.
- wipe and purge steam arm.
- pull 2 shots of espresso.
- heat glass to help keep the beverage warmer.
- pour the milk into the glass first.
- pour espresso into the top of the milk.

What temperature do you usually heat the milk to?
140' F.

How many grams of coffee go into 1 shot of espresso?
7g a shot.

How long do you pull the espresso for?
20 seconds.

What type of coffee beans do you use at Costa?
Mocha Italia.

Even though this is a coffee shop, do you sell much tea?
Yes because we sell a variety of fruit teas as well as traditional tea, such as peppermint and blackcurrant tea.


As well as the chat, I also asked him if he would mind sketching down really quickly diagrams of the coffees he describes for me, to show the proportions of coffee and what not used to make them, and he did.

Americano

Cappuccino

Latte

Mocha