Crafting Consistency: The Art of Maintaining Quality as a Barista

At Terminal 3, the core of our craft revolves around not just serving coffee but curating experiences. Each cup served to our customers consists not only of the rich flavours of our meticulously sourced and roasted coffee beans but also of the dedication and commitment of our baristas. 

Behind the scene of every cup of coffee lies a meticulous process, an orchestra of precision, and an ongoing pursuit of consistency. As baristas, the art of maintaining quality is not just a skill. It is a science–one that demands an extensive understanding of the brewing process and a commitment to exacting standards. The goal is to create a pleasurable experience where each sip mirrors the last, regardless of time, baristas, or even the weather outside. In this week’s Gateway release, we will be sharing with you how we nurture this commitment to consistency through daily routines.

Parameters and Calibration

Consistency begins with understanding and controlling parameters. Realizing the important role that each element plays, starting from the grind size and water temperature to the extraction time and brewing technique. All of these aspects are taken care of every morning when baristas meticulously calibrate machines and tools. This is to guarantee that all equipment adheres to precise measurements and is primed for the day ahead. 

Extraction

The extraction process is key to bringing out the rich flavours of coffee beans. Baristas understand the science behind this extraction and the technique of optimizing these variables such as pressure, water temperature, and coffee-to-water ratio to achieve a balanced extraction. This plays a significant role in delivering the coffee’s nuances to each and every customers. 

Dialing in Flavours

The ability to identify and manipulate flavours is an art form and also a skill crucial to maintaining consistency in coffee brewing. Coffee beans are remarkably sensitive to their environment, especially humidity. Changes in humidity levels can significantly affect the beans’ moisture content and, consequently, their response during the brewing process. The same batch of beans, in different humidity conditions, demands adjustments to grind size and extraction time to maintain flavour consistency.

Throughout the day, baristas continuously taste and adjust the brew to ensure it aligns with the desired flavour profile. This process involves a well-developed palate and an understanding of how variables impact taste. 

Communication and collaboration

Maintaining consistency is not only limited to the internal dynamics of the coffee bar. It is important to maintain a seamless flow of communication within the barista team. Exchanging knowledge and experiences about brewing techniques and aligning on standards helps ensure that every barista approaches coffee preparation with a unified methodology. Effective collaboration during shift, such as documenting and communicating about any adjustments made, is also needed to maintain a smooth workflow behind the bar.

Externally, communication involves interacting with customers. As a barista, engaging with customers involves more than just taking orders. It is an opportunity to share knowledge and insights into the brewing process, bean origins, and flavour profiles. By understanding customers’ preferences and guiding them on their coffee brewing journey, baristas encourage coffee enthusiasts to recreate the experience at home—extending the flavour consistency beyond the coffee bar.  

In the end, being a barista requires a dedication to the art of brewing that binds communities and elevates the simple pleasure of a cup of coffee to a memorable experience. It is a matter of understanding that consistency is not a destination; but a commitment to delivering an experience steeped in quality, shared knowledge, and an unspoken understanding of what it means to craft the perfect cup.