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Cafe Workstations
Organizing and preparing the working station tools is basic in order to offer a good service. The organization on the barista station is a personal question, but the layout of each element must always be defined, focusing of efficiency and fast execution. By pre-establishing a systematic start up for our barista station, our working hours will become much more comfortable.
Brushes
Cleaning and maintenance are basic in the barista station. Cloths, towels and brushes will be very helpful in this task. Brushes are always needed: one to clean the portafilters before inserting them in the group head, a second, the biggest brush, to efficiently clean the coffee left over by the grinder area, and a third brush to clean the dispersion screen.
Cleaning cloths or towels
The first should be placed on an espresso saucer on the cup warming tray. It should be a damp cloth to clean the steam spout and nozzle after each use. The second, also damp, will be placed in the drip tray, to clean it after purging the group head before preparing coffees. The third cloth, placed on the machine table, must be dry. It is used to clean any dirt caused by work. The fourth is recommended on dark color. It is used to clean the leftovers of coffee puck that are on the portafilters after the extraction of used coffee grounds. It hands from the baristas apron or near the used coffee grounds box.
Cafe Working Area
Coffee machine
Adjusting the coffee machine is essential to assure a good service. The espresso machine has to be cleaned from the day before. Once we start in the morning, we have to check that water pressure bomb has to be in 8 or 9 bars. Boiler pressure also has to be checked. It must be at least 1 bar. Water temperature of the group has to be between 88 and 92 degrees Celsius. Groups and steam nozzles must be purged. Next step is to check general furniture cleanliness, as well as baskets and filters. We must also check that cups are placed in the superior part of the coffee machine. In this part, cups receive heat from the inside boiler and they are kept at 40 degrees, the optimal temperature. In order to guarantee this temperature, no more than two cups should be placed on top of one another. The preheated cups must always be placed with the rim on top, so that when we drink, our lips are not burnt.
Coffee grinder
To prepare a coffee, grinding coffee beans is essential. To do that, we need a grinder that works properly and with working ring burrs and blades. The empty hopper must be clean. The gate located at the outlet neck must be closed. We fill up the hopper with coffee beans and we adjust the grinding to allow an extraction of 25 seconds for 30 milliliters of coffee. We adjust the dosing system of grinder dispenser. The recommended measures are 7 to 9 grams for 1 cup and 14 to 18 grams for 2 cups. We must only grind the coffee we need, because having it ground beforehand has a negative effect on the aroma and taste of our coffee. It is advised to work with half of the hopper beans and filling it in when needed. At the end of the working day, we must empty the remaining coffee and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Dynamometric, telescopic and manual tamper
The use of a dynamometric, telescopic or manual tamper depends on experience. Manual tamper, for example, is only recommended for knowledgeable baristas. Whatever type we choose, the aim of the tamper is always the same: constant pressure. Tamper has to be completely horizontal and energetic, of approximately 20 kilos, to achieve a homogenous extraction of the coffee dose. The tamping base rubber tamping mat will help us leave our main tool wherever we decide, always next to the grinder.
Espresso measuring glass and thermometerT
he measuring glass will help us check the perfect volume of a coffee cup. The thermometer, the ideal temperature of the milk (which should be between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius).
Jugs
To prepare and serve milk and cocktails, we will need more than one jug or pitcher. The most commonly used at 0.5 and 0.75 liters. If it is our intention to mix drinks, a 0.45 liter jug will allow us to create layers without risking spills.
Water kettle
By using water kettles, we will avoid unwanted flavors in infusions and such drinks.
French Press
French Press can be used to prepare cold textured milk (alone or mixed, combined with other ingredients).
The result is an attractive emulsion with a creamy texture. This brewing method is also useful to prepare and to serve infusions and to prepare soft and aromatic coffees.
Cinnamon and cocoa shakersTo decorate coffees or cocktails, this kind of shakers will be very helpful. We can fill them with products such as cinnamon and cocoa, among others.
Squeeze bottles and latte art toolsOn the market, there are different kinds of syrups with different colors and flavors to draw on textured milk to give an original touch to our creations. Squeeze bottles, as well as edging tools, will help us define images and create attractive paintings. The art of drawing with these tools is known as coffee painting.
Spoons
Coffee spoons with different lengths are basic to elaborate layered drinks and to stir drinks.
Cocktail shakers and ice bucket
To prepare drinks with coffee, it is usual to use cocktail shakers in which the ingredients are shaken energetically with ice to obtain a homogeneous and cold combination.
Measuring glassWith this graded measuring glass, ingredients can exactly be dosed, although it is always advisable to avoid using it and to memorize quantities after continuous use.
Siphon and blenderSiphon will be used to prepare whipped cream, mousse and froths in only a few seconds. And the blender will be used to prepare cocktails with crushed ice.
Blowtorch and strawsWith the kitchen blowtorch, creams can be caramelized and decorated. We can serve such drinks with long or short straws.
ServiceTo serve coffee cocktails, it will be basic to choose a glass size and shape that matches the drink and the style of the establishment. A short cocktail to be enjoyed after a copious meal, for instance, is recommended to be served in a small glass. A long drink on a table talk after a meal requires a medium or big highball glass. For a perfect finish to this service, we could use attractive trays or saucers.
Pairing ingredientsTo prepare coffee cocktails, we will need different spirits and syrups. We will choose them according to the drink we want to prepare.
Espresso
Espresso is one of the most common types of coffee brewing methods in our country. The main features of an espresso are: adequate extraction, aroma, taste and creamy texture. Such features cannot be achieved with any other coffee brewing method.
Water
The espresso coffee machine is a precision equipment in which water and coffee are combined to obtain the cup. These equipments have previously adjusted thermodynamic parameters that we must respect. Pump water pressure (8 or 9 Bars), boiler (maximum one Bar) and water temperature of the group (88-92 degrees Celsius). The drink is obtained by filtering hot pressurized water through the ground coffee in only a few seconds. During the whole process, water quality is an essential element. An espresso cup contains approximately 97% water and 3% of dry matter components. That is why it is not only important to work with a good quality coffee, but also with a good quality machine and water.
Cups
The best material for an espresso coffee cup is porcelain. The recommended capacity is 60 centiliters and its ideal design is a conical shaped with a bell curve bamp at the bottom. This shape favors coffee extraction drop to form a thick crema: a basic element to maintain aroma and to form a thermal surface that delays coffee cooling.
Espresso step by step
We should grind the coffee in a short-term foresight. This way we will preserve the characteristics of the coffee beans longer. Clean and dry the cover surface around the grinder with barista towel, eliminating coffee remains and water. Fill in the simple portafilter with 7 to 9 grams and double with 4 to18 grams, level and distribute the coffee dose without pressuring. With the manual tamper, level first the coffee with a horizontal force and compact the coffee in a short and energetic way, with a pressure of 20kg. With a brush or with your hand, clean the sides of the basket and the spout. Purge the group head and clean with a cloth the dripping tray so the base of the coffee cup does not get dirty. Place the portafilter in the group, press extraction and place cups immediately. We will not leave coffee without extraction in the group, because heat can alter the dose elements. Check that the coffee flow looks like a fine string, similar to a mouse tail.
On one hand, if the pour is too slow, drop by drop, we must modify the grinding point to thicker. Otherwise, we will obtain a thick dark brown crema on the edges and white in the center. The same way it appears when the coffee machine temperature is too high.
On the other hand, if the flow is too fast, we will have to achieve a finer ground to avoid a coffee without crema or that crema disappears too quickly. The same that also happens when there is not enough coffee in the dose.
After the extraction, we will knock the used ground in to the box.
Grounds must show a texture that can be quartered. The correct extraction is around 25 seconds long and results in a cup with a 30 milliliters volume of coffee. This coffee has to have a compact crema between 2 and 3 milliliters thick, hazel color and brown edges with fine stretch marks.
Espresso presentation
The perfect espresso coffee must be accompanied by meticulous service. It is advisable to serve a small glass of mineral water before the coffee so that the customer can prepare his or her palate to taste the coffee with other remaining tastes. The final touch will come with an explanation to our customer of the details of the coffee he or she is going to taste.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is composed of one third of coffee, one third of milk and one third of dairy cream. Its presentation allows the use of cocoa, cinnamon. Furthermore, we can decorate with Latte Art or Coffee Painting. For the correct cappuccino preparation, we need to texture the milk. With this procedure, we will achieve a creamy, shiny texture with a sweet and pleasant taste that will contribute to the pleasure of our senses.
Espresso coffee machines have integrated steam wands that work with the boiler water pressure and help us create milk froth. The main element to work with Latte Art (also known as free pour) is the jug or pitcher. In the barista sector, the most commonly used jugs are 0.5 or 0.75 liters with raised pour spout that will help with design definition.
Milk emulsion, froth and textureAlways use cold milk at about 4 degrees. Fill the jug just enough to reach the bottom part of the spout. Before steaming the milk, open the valve shortly to get rid of the water inside the steam nozzle. Place the tip of the nozzle just under the surface of the milk. The position of the nozzle must guarantee that milk can go around the steam wand without practically changing the placement of the jug and the hand. The sound is soft and not strident.
With our hand, we control the temperature of the milk. It should reach between 60 and 70 degrees. This temperature is reached when you can’t touch the pitcher with your fingers anymore. As soon as the milk is fully creamed and heated, you can turn off the steam while keeping the nozzle just under the surface, paying special attention in neither destabilizing the acquired texture, nor creating bubbles.
We will let the milk settle for a few seconds while we open the valve shortly to get rid of the water and milk inside the steam nozzle and wipe the external pipe with a moist cloth. If necessary, get rid the big bubbles by tapping the jug on the counter surface. We swirl the milk by moving the jug in small circles (in centrifugal movements). When the froth has a shiny and silky texture, milk will be ready.
Latte Art
Latte Art is the technique used by baristas to draw with textured milk on the coffee. To achieve the painting, baristas play with flux and height of milk from the jug. During the pouring, if we move the jug away from the cup, gravity will make that only milk comes out. If we move the jug closer, thanks to density, we will obtain more froth stabilized on the milk. We can make many different Latte Art paintings. The two basic designs are rosetta and heart. From these two, new and attractive designs can be created.
Step by step: RosettaThe beginning of Latte Art paintings is practically always the same. The basic difference is the intensity of jug movements and the milk flow intensity in the cup, which both change depending on the painting we desire. We incorporate textured milk in the middle of the cup, slowly, until we fill up two thirds of the cup. To obtain a rosetta, we bring the flow to the external edge and we bring the jug down. When crema appears, we start zigzag movements through the internal edge of the cup. To cut the flux, we simply move the jug upwards. The more leaves the rosetta has, the more difficult the painting is.
Step by step: HeartWith the cup filled with two thirds of milk, we bring the flux to the center. We will keep this position during the whole painting bringing the jug down at the same time as we move in zigzag. To cut the painting, again, we will move the jug upwards. Latte Art requires a lot of practice, being the result in the cup one of the biggest satisfactions for a barista.
Specialty drinks
Coffee is much more than an espresso or a cappuccino. The possibilities coffee has to offer are many: from aperitif to after meal, including kitchen and cocktails. Coffee cocktails, with or without alcohol, are a clear example. Coffee is very easily combined with alcohols, syrups and spirits, as well as many other products and preparations that allow us to create delicious drinks. However, it is a calculated risk to define what drinks combine well with coffee and, as everything else, the success of the drink will depend on the mastery of the barista and the taste of the customer.
The most common techniques to prepare coffee drinks are:• Shaker: used to shake dense ingredients such as cream, eggs and syrups. The ice in the shaker cools the ingredients and is never completely melted. Coffee mixed with certain syrups and using this technique, for example, provides us with an excellent aperitif cocktail.• The Pousse technique is based on the creation of layered drinks according to density. The ingredients are poured with a spoon leaning against the glass. As we create layers, the spoon is moved upwards leaning always on the surface of the last added ingredient.• French Press is an easy to use tool. Inside it contains a plunger that, moved with energy, textures the liquid inside. In the case of milk, for example, we can obtain the same result as with the steam wand but with cold milk. If we use milk combined with other ingredients, we will have a general emulsion of the ingredients with the final look of a mousse.
When we prepare drinks containing coffee it is important to bear in mind that:• The sweeter the liquid is, the denser it results.• The more alcohol a liquid contains, the lighter it is.• Cleaning the spoon after each layer is important not to interfere on the next layer.• In order to add density to a liquid, we can add sugar.• Inform the customer on how to savor best the drink.
Deal Direct With The Commercial Espresso Machine Wholesalers
Coffee machine wholesalers, Koffeeone has evolved considerably since its foundation and now distributes the very best commercial coffee machines from Italy, as well as now manufacturing their very own Pierro office coffee machine range.
Koffeeone was formed in 1999 with the goal to supply wholesale priced corporate coffee machines, office coffee machines and espresso coffee machines to cafe’s, restaurants, corporate offices and registered clubs.
To ensure their clients receive the very best support on their range of coffee machines Koffeeone provide full service support for each and every one of their customers, large or small.
Peter Walker, CEO of Koffeeone states, “We ensure we only supply the very best office coffee machines. Why ? To ensure the longevity of operation, to make sure your coffee machine requires minimal operational attention by your staff and are very easy to maintain and use.”
He continues, “When you order your commercial coffee machine direct form the importer and wholesaler you can be ensured you are dealing with a company who has been in business for over 15 years and has served many continuing and long standing customers.”