Barista Station

Barista Training Course

Module 1: Introduction to Coffee & Darat Al Qahwa Standards

✅ History & origins of coffee.

✅ Darat Al Qahwa’s coffee philosophy & service standards.

✅ Understanding different coffee beans (Arabica vs. Robusta).

✅ Coffee Tasting SOP (Smell,Slurp,Locate Body,Describe).

2. Hot Beverages

• Coffee (Types, Brewing Methods, Espresso Drinks)
• Tea (Varieties, Brewing Techniques, Specialty Teas)
• Hot Chocolate & Other Hot Drinks

A. Coffee-Based Hot Drinks

• Espresso – A concentrated shot of coffee brewed under pressure.
• Americano – Espresso diluted with hot water.
• Cappuccino – Espresso with steamed milk and foam in equal parts.
• Latte – Espresso with more steamed milk and light foam.
• Mocha – A latte with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.

B. Tea-Based Hot Drinks

• Black Tea – Strongly flavored tea with caffeine (e.g., Earl Grey, English Breakfast).
• Green Tea – Lighter tea with antioxidants (e.g., Matcha, Sencha).

C. Other Hot Beverages

• Hot Chocolate – Made with melted chocolate or cocoa powder and milk.
• Warm Milk Drinks – Steamed or frothed milk with flavors like vanilla or Caramel.

3. Iced Beverages

• Iced Coffee & Cold Brew
• Iced Teas & Infused Waters
• Frozen & Blended Beverages

A. Iced Coffee Drinks

• Iced Americano – Espresso mixed with cold water and ice.
• Iced Latte – Espresso with cold milk and ice.
• Cold Brew – Coffee steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours for a smooth taste.
• Frappuccino/Blended Coffee – Coffee blended with ice, milk, and flavors like caramel or chocolate.

B. Iced Tea Beverages

• Iced Black Tea – Brewed black tea chilled and served over ice.
• Iced Green Tea – Lightly brewed green tea served cold.
• Flavored Iced Teas – Infused with fruit, herbs, or sweeteners (e.g., peach tea, lemon iced tea).

C. Other Cold Drinks

• Lemonade & Fruit Coolers – Fresh fruit juices mixed with water and ice.
• Infused Water – Water infused with fruits, herbs, or cucumbers.

4. Specialty Drinks

• Smoothies & Shakes
• Mocktails & Flavored Beverages

5. Beverage Preparation & Equipment

• Brewing & Mixing Technique

A. Coffee Preparation Methods

• Espresso Machine Brewing – Uses high pressure to extract a concentrated coffee shot.
• Drip Coffee (Filter Brewing) – Hot water drips through ground coffee in a filter.
• French Press (Immersion Brewing) – Coffee grounds steeped in hot water before being pressed.
• Cold Brew – Coffee steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours for a smooth, less acidic taste.
• AeroPress – Uses air pressure to create a rich, smooth coffee.

B. Tea Brewing Techniques

• Steeping – Tea leaves or bags are steeped in hot water for a set time.
• Cold Brew Tea – Tea leaves steeped in cold water for a smooth, naturally sweet flavor.
• Milk Tea Preparation – Brewed tea mixed with milk, often with added sweeteners or flavors.

C. Iced & Blended Beverage Preparation

• Iced Coffee & Tea – Brewed hot, then cooled over ice or brewed cold.
• Blended Beverages (Frappes, Smoothies) – Ingredients blended with ice or milk for a creamy texture.
• Infused Water & Lemonades – Fresh fruits, herbs, and spices infused in water for a refreshing drink.

D. Specialty Drink Preparation

• Milk Frothing & Steaming – Using a steam wand to create frothy or silky milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
• Layering & Mixing Techniques – Creating visual and taste layers in drinks like mocktails or specialty teas.
• Garnishing & Presentation – Using fresh fruit slices, whipped cream, chocolate drizzles, or spices for appeal.

6. Serving & Presentation

• Proper Glassware & Cups
• Garnishing & Aesthetic Presentation
• Customer Experience & Service

7. Troubleshooting & Common Issues

• Coffee Brewing Problems
• Tea Over/Under Steeping
• Maintaining Consistency

Module 2: Coffee Equipment & Maintenance

✅ Espresso machine components & functions
✅ Grinder calibration & coffee dosing
✅ Cleaning & maintenance of coffee equipment

Module 3: Espresso Preparation & Milk Techniques

✅ How to pull the perfect espresso shot
✅ Milk steaming & frothing techniques
✅ Latte art basics

Module 4: Coffee Menu & Recipes

✅ Espresso-based drinks (Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato, etc.)
✅ Specialty brews (Cold Brew, Turkish Coffee, Saudi Coffee)
✅ Signature drinks at Darat Al Qahwa

Module 5: Customer Service & Upselling Techniques

✅ Welcoming guests & taking orders professionally
✅ Handling guest complaints & special requests
✅ Upselling & recommending coffee pairings

Module 6: Practical Assessment & Certification

✅ Hands-on coffee preparation & latte art test
✅ Customer service role-play scenarios
✅ Final evaluation & certification