Barista Resources

Making exceptional coffee is an art. And a science.

If you’re just getting started or interested in improving your barista skills, we’re continually updating our resource library to provide you with both fundamental and innovative information from industry-leading publications.

For advanced baristas, consider preparing for a competition?

You could be the first Jamaican woman to win the World Barista Championship! No woman had held the title until Agnieszka Rojewska from Poland in 2018. Then Korea’s Jooyeon Jeon won in 2019. Will you be next??

 
JAWiC_Icons_Baristas.jpg
 

Recent Articles and Research

 

“Is the variety really that important, compared to the country of origin, roast level, and processing method? And if it is important, why do only some coffee bags tell you about it?

The simple answer is that coffee varieties can affect the flavour of the coffee. Some, like Bourbon, are known for their sweet taste. Others, like Gesha/Geisha, are known for tea-like qualities.”

“Different beans will have different sizes: Maragogype is famously large, while Mokka is tiny. And since roasting is a physical transformation, how heat is transferred throughout the bean is of key importance. You need to understand the physical makeup of your coffee (especially if you’re blending).”

“Another reason to care about varieties is that Arabica coffee has a worryingly low genetic diversity. This means it is more susceptible to disease and climate change – and could even theoretically become extinct in the future. Creating and/or finding more genetic variety is of key importance right now.”

“Gesha/Geisha originated in the village of Gesha, Ethiopia, but remained under the radar until 2003 in Panama. Since then, Panamanian Geisha has become one of the industry’s most-famous coffees. With most coffee championship finalists using it, and a recent green bean auction price of US $601/lb, it’s become a byword for excellence – and exclusivity.”

“F1 hybrids are a new generation of coffee varieties that have the potential to be high-quality, rust-resistant, and high-yielding. They are typically mass-produced in advanced nurseries. Notable F1 hybrids include Centroamericano, which has seen recent success in the Nicaraguan Cup of Excellence.”