I’ve always loved improving and learning new skills, and I’ve always wanted to learn how to make coffee. when I heard about the Barista course I was fascinated to understand the science and the artistry that goes into making coffee . I was particularly excited for this course because I wanted to learn how small changes to a coffee drink’s preparation may impact its flavor and texture and develop a coffee preparation routine.

LO 1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

I discovered throughout the workshop that making coffee requires both creativity and accuracy. I developed a sensitive palate and learned to detect flavor variations due to various bean sources and roasting methods. It was crucial to understand how to use espresso machines and brewing equipment, and I wanted to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of my setup and process. Knowing the science underlying coffee helped me appreciate the process more and identify areas for improvement, such as brewing uniformity.

LO 5: Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

The barista course had a group of students, and we all gained a lot of benefit   from cooperating, learning from one another, and supporting one another at every turn. Every student in the course had unique coffee preferences, styles, and prior knowledge. After learning the fundamentals of coffee brewing, we started exchanging methods, flavors, and extra condiments. This improved our educational process even more as we tried and investigated the various uses for a basic cup of coffee.

LO 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

We spent the first half of the session learning about the various coffee growing locations, the resources used in farming, and which coffee beans are indigenous to which regions. I firmly believe in education and raising awareness of the environmental and social effects of our consumption. I discovered that robusta and arabica beans are farmed differently because they demand varying amounts of investment, and I realised how important it is to support different kinds of farmers.

This barista course proved to be a valuable and rewarding CAS experience. It encouraged me to work with others, learn new skills, and consider moral behavior in the coffee business. Above all, it enabled me to accomplish several CAS learning objectives while expressing my creativity via the craft of coffee-making.