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tags: [] - MOC - coffee/skills - coffee/brewing aliases: - Barista technical skills - Coffee technical skills

Barista Technical Skills

Technical skills are the physical craft of coffee preparation — espresso extraction, milk work, manual brewing, and equipment operation. They form the most visible part of barista competence and the foundation on which all other skills are built. See Barista Skills /Barista Skills Development MOC for the full framework.

Espresso Mastery

Foundation: Dosing Technique | Distribution Methods (WDT, Stockfleth, tapping) | Tamping Pressure | Portafilter Preparation

Development: Visual Extraction Cues | Timing Consistency | Yield Accuracy | Grind Size Impact

Advanced: Extraction Diagnosis | Troubleshooting Channelling | Pressure Profiling | Temperature Surfing

Mastery: Competition Espresso | Espresso Innovation | Equipment Modification | Signature Espresso

Milk Work Mastery

Foundation: Steam Wand Positioning | Aerating Technique | Temperature Control (60–65°C) | Basic Texture

Development: Texture Refinement | Alternative Milk Techniques (oat, soy, almond) | Pour Control | Heart Pouring

Advanced: Rosetta Pouring | Tulip Pouring | Free Pour Artistry | Milk Science

Mastery: Competition Latte Art | 3D Latte Art | Etching Techniques | Instructional Ability

Alternative Brewing Methods

Pour-over methods: V60 Technique | Chemex Brewing | Kalita Wave | Clever Dripper | Pour Over Variables

Immersion methods: French Press | AeroPress | Cupping as Brewing | Cold brew

Other methods: Siphon Brewing | Moka Pot | Turkish coffee | Batch Brewing

Variables mastery: Grind Size Selection | Brew Ratio Calculation | Water Temperature | Agitation Techniques | Brew Time Control

Equipment Skills

Machine operation: Espresso Machine Types | Group Head Maintenance | Temperature Stability | Pressure Systems | Pre-Infusion

Grinder expertise: Grinder Types | Burr Maintenance | Grind Adjustment | Static Management | Grinder Calibration

Water systems: Water Filtration | Water Softening | Reverse Osmosis | Water Remineralisation | Water Testing

Auxiliary equipment: Scales | Timers | Thermometers | Refractometers | Tampers

  • Barista Skills /Barista Skills Development MOC — skill development framework and progression
  • Brewing Methods MOC — brewing techniques and variables
  • Sensory Science MOC — sensory evaluation and flavour science

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