Priority, professionalization of coffee baristas in Mexico

Mexico, Jun. 13 (Notimex) .- Although the barista in Mexico translates into an expert in the preparation of coffee drinks, ensuring a professionalization of those engaged in this activity would attract greater success in the sector.

According to the commercial director of Etrusca, Héctor García, in the country there is no degree or diploma as a barista, but there are educational programs within the gastronomic careers that include it and in many cases baristas have been trained empirically and have evolved to give training and courses.

He explained that at the global level, the only institution that establishes an educational program with branches such as barista, toaster, taster and buyer of coffee is The Specialty Coffee Association, but it lacks educational validity.

In Mexico, he said, the only recognized association for the professionalization of the barista is the Mexican Association of Coffee and Specialty Cafeterias (AMCCE, for its acronym in Spanish) and is the only one recognized by The Specialty Coffee Association.

"A barista is considered professional when he specializes in the preparation of coffee drinks and when he knows everything behind. Being a barista is the last link in the coffee chain and therefore he is the ambassador of history and spokesman of what is in his hands," he explained.

A barista, he added, should have the knowledge of espresso machines for coffee making, terminology and rules in the preparation of each beverage. As well as the instructions to get what is called "the perfect cup".

He added that the specialist must also know how the coffee industry is internationally, because it is very important to know the importance of talking about the category of specialty coffees as opposed to ordinary coffees.

He pointed out that in Mexico, since 1994 the specialty coffee bars began to form, and these factors became relevant in the national market.

Héctor García said that nowadays "there are no limitations to not drinking coffee and the inclusion of other drinks with it, it has triggered a growth that makes a coffee shop a noble, profitable and adaptable business, as well as relatively easy to establish".

That is why he stressed the importance of the Mexican consumer, since this "is noble, but this does not mean that we allow everything", therefore, it is a priority to ensure the professionalization of the barista, as this would attract and guarantee a success to this business.

NTX/ILC/MTG/DVMC