Are there any other baristas on the forums?

[Menzenski]

I've been working as a barista for almost a year now, and absolutely love it. Just curious if there were any other baristas here. (If you work behind the counter at a Starbucks, you don't count).

 

[Phager]

I used to be the general manager of a small (5 stores) chain in the bay area. It was the best job I ever had! You'd think with me living in the Pacific NW I wouldn't have a problem finding a similar position, but none of the local shops are ever hiring

Pat

 

[Geepfreak]

I've been working as a barista for almost a year now, and absolutely love it. Just curious if there were any other baristas here. (If you work behind the counter at a Starbucks, you don't count).

you betcha, just filled my machine with water, set the timer and placed two scoops of my favorite Folgers blend to be ready at 6:15 in the morning.

 

[creeperjeep]

theres a machine here and I push a button, and i dont talk to anyone. then i drink

 

[5-90]

I've been working as a barista for almost a year now, and absolutely love it. Just curious if there were any other baristas here. (If you work behind the counter at a Starbucks, you don't count).

I'm so glad you qualified that! I'm sick to my teeth of seeing Starschmucks all over the place (there's even one in the parking lot of the Home Depot here. WTF, over?)

I do enjoy going in there every now and then and ordering a plain cup of black coffee, and watching the screen go blank...

When did coffee get so damn fancy, anyhow. And, could you edify me as to what, exactly, is a "barista?" I'd thought it was something Starschmucks came up with just to sound fancy, but I'm not entirely sure anymore...

5-90

 

[nhrocker]

No, barista isn't just a Starbucks thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barista

I consider myself lucky that I've never stepped foot into a Starbucks. I'd take a small rundown coffee shopped tucked away in a corner any day. There's just something about knowing (and tasting) when someone does there job not because it's "trendy" or they need to pay a bill, but because they like what they do and they can appreciate the quality of the product they produce.

 

[5-90]

Ah. I should have also figured the root was Italian - probably due to the popularity of espresso (? "Would you like a small cup of badly burnt coffee?")

At least it's not a "trendy" thing - I was starting to worry about that. At least it is, after all, something someone can be proud of doing...

There is some discernable difference to be noted when someone is doing something they enjoy, vice someone doing something just to keep the wheelbarrow full - you can usually tell. Don't even get me started on doing something "trendy" - I've never been a slave to fashion, and I see no reason to do something just because it's "cool." If you don't enjoy what you're doing, go do something else - as a favour to everyone!

That's why I'm going into engineering and mechanics - I enjoy the precision, and I honestly feel that most of what I find out there is poorly designed (although I think that's more to do with engineers and accountants than engineers. Those people need to be put into their places, I think, which is NOT in charge!)

5-90

 

[Roxtar]

Only at home.
Wega espresso machine and a Mazzer SJ grinder.
Also do my own roasting.

Friends don't let friends drink Charbucks.

 

[wall04]

Only at home.
Wega espresso machine and a Mazzer SJ grinder.
Also do my own roasting.

Friends don't let friends drink Charbucks.

Yea, I home roast too. I used a Westbend Poppery II for years until I got a Freshroast Plus a couple of months ago. I like the freshroast but it still can't hit the darker roasts like a modified air popper can. Where do you get your beans? I use:
http://www.sweetmarias.com

 

[BillR]

Count me as one of the few here that LIKES Starbucks coffee. I buy the beans and brew it at home, and usually stop at Starbucks for a cup in the afternoons.
My daughter is a barista at Starbucks, and she had some pretty extensive training to get the certification. Starbucks also has MUCH better service and friendlier workers that the local dives here in town.

 

[SCW]

I consider myself lucky that I've never stepped foot into a Starbucks. I'd take a small rundown coffee shopped tucked away in a corner any day.

I went into a Starbucks a few years ago and looked over the menu (coffee needs a menu??) with a look on my face like a deer in the headlights. I ended up picking something that sounded good and *safe*, a chocolate frapa-whatever. I had no clue what I ordered.

I waited at the counter and every drink that came out I asked if that was mine and they kept saying "no, you had the frapa-slapa", eventually they got irritated with my ignorance.

turned out I ordered some cold coffee drink, I was pretty dissapointed but I finished it anyway. I still have no idea how to order at a coffe house, I'm more comfortable at 7-11 where I make my own, lol.

 

[Glenn B]

I will take a double tall no whip mocha. Thank you

I do not mind Starbucks at all.... I know what I like, I tell the person behind the counter, I pay for it, they make it then I drink it. Good stuff.

 

[ECKSJAY]

I will take a double tall no whip mocha. Thank you

I do not mind Starbucks at all.... I know what I like, I tell the person behind the counter, I pay for it, they make it then I drink it. Good stuff.

x2

Nonfat for me lately. You should see the looks on their faces though when I order a soy chai latte and pull up in teh XJ. "Umm, you didn't have the soy chai did you?" :clap:

 

[egon]

I have a 1,675 watt coffee/expresso maker, do I win a prize?

--Matt

 

[ladywolf]

starbucks is ok.

we have seattles best here on camp taji (BLECK!! the way they make it, not the coffee itself)

theres a lil place in yakima in the mall that has GREAT coffee. cant think of its name tho.

 

[Ralph]

I started drinking coffee during the 70's in Spain. Anywhere you ordered coffee, espesso is what you got. The coffee would come with a large cube of sugar and steamed milk (no foam) on the side. A shot of brandy was often ordered with the coffee. I still enjoy coffee served that way.

 

[cmotsvt]

Someone at starbucks asked me if I wanted my coffee with "room". I had no idea what she was talking about. Youd think she would have noticed I was wearing work boots, blue jeans, and a cap before trying to talk jive to me.

 

[Fergie]

Count me as one of the few here that LIKES Starbucks coffee. I buy the beans and brew it at home, and usually stop at Starbucks for a cup in the afternoons.
My daughter is a barista at Starbucks, and she had some pretty extensive training to get the certification. Starbucks also has MUCH better service and friendlier workers that the local dives here in town.

Although it is fun to roll through Wicked...:shhh:

Best coffee I have had was at some place in downtown Tacoma about a year ago. Had a really odd sounding dual name....something & something.

 

[Roxtar]

Yea, I home roast too. I used a Westbend Poppery II for years until I got a Freshroast Plus a couple of months ago. I like the freshroast but it still can't hit the darker roasts like a modified air popper can. Where do you get your beans? I use:
http://www.sweetmarias.com

Sweet Marias is very good.
Extremely informative though slightly pricy.
Here's another place I've used occasionally:
http://www.cmebrewcoffee.com/green_coffee_beans.html
A search under "green coffee beans" will turn up plenty of results.

A few years ago I came accross a brand new, in the box, orig West Bend Poppery at a thrift store for $5. The heavy 1500W one with the 110V motor.
I modified it to take a thermometer, larger capacity, and heat cut off switch and it works great.
I can get any degree of roast I want at will.

 

[acrid]

seattle's best is starbucks. btw.... if you're in the pacific NW, you should try to get a hold of stumptown coffee. i used to work right next door to the roasting facility, all the use is free trade organic at that plant. in se. pdx. seriously you've never had good coffee until you have the roaster bring you fresh beans straight from the oven...

good god, i'm salivating already....

on the starf#ck's topic, they are baristas they just push buttons, that's like saying the someone the works are Wendy's is a chef....

enjoy.