Wanted: Sydney's best barista to mend my broken heart


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Recently a relationship I was in broke up.  He ended it, not me, and I am pretty devastated still. He’s moved out of Sydney up the coast to start a cafe but I’m going to miss his friendly smile, good conversation and the way he made me coffee every morning.


He was the barista at my favourite Sydney cafe or, rather, what used to be my favourite cafe because now he’s gone it’s just not the same. Anyone who loves a good daily dose of caffeine will know this can be an important relationship.


Being a good barista is a subtle skill that goes way beyond the proper frothing of milk and roasting of beans. For me it’s the friendly hello, and easy engaging conversation: a little bit flirty but not too over the top given it is usually the morning and some of us don’t want to talk much.


Reading the mood of the keen-to-be caffeinated takes more emotional intelligence than a shrink sometimes, but it is a skill, like remembering your order, that is crucial to a good barista. It’s the occasional small flourish too (perhaps a free chocolate freckle or tiny cookie to go) or a pretty pattern in your coffee froth, which makes the job a fine art.


What makes a good barista?

What makes a good barista?


Photo: Eliana Schoulal

It is the anticipation of your needs before you even utter them. Like for example when Mr Long Black with a dash of milk walks in or the almond milk chai latte lady rocks up after yoga, he/she knows what they order and starts making it before they even ask. Just a “the usual” they’ll ask with a smile. It’s having enough tumeric lattes to go around when the yummy mummies drop in post-park with their prams and making that afternoon shot of espresso, just at the right temperature, for the local Italian who still ascribes to one of the 10 commandments for coffee drinking from his homeland: no milk after noon.


Article source: https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/ireland-has-shed-its-historic-culture-at-a-speed-that-amazes-20180527-p4zhrn.html?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_world

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