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Practical coffee know-how, equipment notes, recipes and everyday stories from behind the bar.
Latest stories
10 publishedBlack Americano, Leave Space for the Cream
"I'll grab a Americano, Black, Leave space for the cream"
Read article →Let's talk Too Good To Go
There is still a lot of fanfare about Too Good To Go which is a great initiative to reduce food waste. There are variations but the original and most common offer is £3.99 and you are supposed to receive goods of 3 times that value or more. Where it falls short is product value on already overinflated prices at places such as Starbucks fall with age.
Read article →Post Payment Boob Wobble
One of the most weird things I have observed as a barista is when a customer had just paid and decided to make her boobs bounce up and down for 10 seconds. Do you want me to make the drink or watch the show?
Read article →Till changeover delays
Sometimes the second till isn't working so when a shift finishes the next barista has to wait for the current barista to count the till before they can take over and accept orders. We communicate this clearly with a timescale. If this isn't satisfactory, the customer is free to leave. It is regrettable and we try to undertake this outside of a busy period.
Read article →Click fingers when deciding what to order
Radcliffe look alike customer clicks fingers when deciding what to order.
Read article →Can I have a regular ____?
The medium size is called a Grande.
Read article →I don't need the lid
Everyone has surely heard about the case of McDonalds being sued for millions of dollars over a hot coffee spilled on a customer leaving them with significant burns. At Starbucks (and probably everywhere else for the same reasons) we have to hand-off drinks with their lids attached - including for cold drinks (for food hygiene reasons) - so it is one area we are unable to adjust to customer preference.
Read article →Rules of Engagement
Don't speak unless the barista is facing you and greeting you, except to make them aware of your presence. The amount of times people seemingly have a conversation with or make an order to the empty front counter is outstanding.
Read article →Is Mocha really a kids drink?
There is snobbery in the coffee world about Mocha not being a "grown-up" drink. I am a fan of a mocha, a proper mocha, although rarely is the espresso and chocolate elements a compatible match which pairs well.
Read article →Why have you got no sandwiches?!
An adult having a public outburst because a coffee shop at quarter past 5 doesn't have any sandwiches remaining.
Read article →