The best way to learn about coffee

[Margo R]

Hello everyone.
I am wondering what the best way is to learn about coffee. Again, I am planning on opening my own Coffee House in the near future, but until then, I want to learn as much as possible.

I am wanting to buy a roaster, (thinking about the Gene Cafe Roaster), and would like to learn at home to start.

Any ideas on this?

Thank you all.

[Dee]

Seriously I think the best way to learn is go to any and all coffee events that you can and get into a shop and work. You will learn so much working with coffee lovers, questions and interest will peak there as well. Good luck on your journey.

[James Tiger]

I too plan on opening a coffee shop in the spring/early summer! I agree that the best way to learn the industry is to attend as many events; as well as becoming acquanted with other coffee connoisseurs! I have been reading up about the history of coffee; very interesting. I would join trade organizations such as Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). A good book that I recommend is "Uncommon Grounds" by Mark Pendergrass. Good luck and keep me posted!

[Logan Demmy]

I feel that baristaing is very much an artisan profession and therefore best learned as an apprentice trade. Though it is not always possible to find a world class barista in your region to learn from. A lot of knowledge can be learned from books, but do not under estimate hands on experience. Best of luck with your shops!

[Jeremy Conley]

+1

The Professional Barista's Handbook is an invaluable must-have;
it is to a barista, as The French Laundry Cookbook is to a chef.

Logan Demmy said:

I feel that baristaing is very much an artisan profession and therefore best learned as an apprentice trade. Though it is not always possible to find a world class barista in your region to learn from. A lot of knowledge can be learned from books, but do not under estimate hands on experience. Best of luck with your shops!

[Alun Evans]

Two different things- buying a coffee house AND looking at roasting your own coffee too. I would suggest you do the coffee house first, look at adding your own coffee further down the track. While there is a general assumption that roasting coffee can be learnt fairly quickly, I would say that most of those roasters here will tell you it takes years to perfect. During that time your competitiors using quality specialty brands might steal a march on you. My advice would be learn the front end of the business first. Work in a shop, learn the ins and outs of retail coffee. By all means buy a home roaster- but push the roast yourself for store part back maybe 2 years down the track. I think also you have a chance to really learn whether the coffee business (ie OWNING a shop, rather than just working in one) is for you before you take the big leap. Read some of the posts by passionate owners here like Rocket... the hours and stress of owning your own shop should 100% not be underestimated. I would estimate the average hours per week a first year owner (or actually any owner doing the yards) would put in would be no less than 75 hours a week...no kidding!

[Jay Caragay]

If you really want to learn about coffee and operating a coffee joint, find yourself a shop that shares your vision for coffee (or barring that, any quality-oriented shop will do) and get a job. Work in the kind of environment you want to create and learn how the business runs. Learn the barista craft.

But more importantly, spend time educating yourself on business concepts. Sure, all those seminars and workshops are great for chat and meeting passionate coffee people, but like chefs, most coffee people are poor business people. And to run your own company, you need to be a decent business person. Learn about management, hiring, firing, accounting, law, regulations, health codes and the "boring" side of business.

There's been more than one occasion where I wish I took more law classes, accounting classes and management classes in college. Instead, I was an art/film student - which means I can save tens of thousands in graphic design and production costs, but I would have done better with a more thorough understanding of the business side of business.

[Bryan Wray]

I too would be in the camp that there is nothing better than getting your feet wet in a cafe that shares a quality level and passion similar to the one that you seek for your future cafe.

Also, simply because the suggestion hasn't been thrown out there yet and really should be, attending a school like The American Barista and Coffee School (ABCs) would really help. There is a link to the right of every page on bX.

-bry

[Margo R]

Thank you all for such wonderful advice!

Jay, yes, I just Graduated Business School for those reasons. I agree they need to be looked into, and learned about (on the "boring side"), but very important!

Bryan, I am planning on attending ABC as soon as possible, but timing is everything right now.

Alun, you have opened my eyes a bit more, and I will take your advice! Thank you! I am planning on hiring a Roast Master or Apprentince to do the actual roasting. I know the two would be too much. But I still need to understand it, so I want to learn as much as I can.

James, I am a member of the SCAA and am working on getting to those exciting events! As with the school, timing is important. I do have "Uncommon Grounds" and I will start reading!
I wish you joy and your shop to be packed with happy Customers on a daily basis. :)

Jeremy, I have that book also. Thank you!

Logan, I understand,.. trust me! Out here in Missouri there are VERY few Coffee shops out here who are truly passionate about what they do. But I do have one in mind that is not real far away. I have been warned that most places are full of employees and not willing to share information too much. But hopefully this one is different.

I agree Dee, thank you!

[Tiger]

If you have any advice on how to get involved in this kind of thing, I'd love to hear it. I am striking out with local shops and getting very frustrated; if someone would just let me touch a machine for five minutes!

Logan Demmy said:

I feel that baristaing is very much an artisan profession and therefore best learned as an apprentice trade. Though it is not always possible to find a world class barista in your region to learn from. A lot of knowledge can be learned from books, but do not under estimate hands on experience. Best of luck with your shops!

[Jay Caragay]

Tiger-

Hate to say it, but if you're striking out at home and don't have the means to buy a machine and learn on your own, then perhaps you might consider relocating to a city where you can secure a position at a shop to learn the craft.

[Tiger]

I am thinking about moving to Portland, funnily enough. I feel as though my town is just too small for this kind of thing.

Jay Caragay said:

Tiger-

Hate to say it, but if you're striking out at home and don't have the means to buy a machine and learn on your own, then perhaps you might consider relocating to a city where you can secure a position at a shop to learn the craft.

[Punita Patel]

Where are you from Tiger??