What does barista education typically focus on?

Barista education primarily emphasizes the preparation and service of quality coffee because the core of a barista's role revolves around crafting various coffee beverages and ensuring customer satisfaction through exceptional service. This training includes understanding different brewing methods, espresso extraction, milk texturing, flavor profiling, and the importance of coffee bean origin. By focusing on the technical skills and sensory knowledge required to make high-quality coffee, barista training equips individuals with the essential competencies needed in a coffee-forward environment.

While other aspects, such as the historical context of coffee or management practices for coffee shops, can enhance a barista's knowledge and effectiveness, they are typically secondary to the hands-on skills and techniques necessary for coffee preparation and customer service. Making pastries and snacks may align with café operations but is not central to barista education, which is primarily about the craft of coffee itself.