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About 9 months ago I took my current job as a barista at a local cafe. I was trained on the job and showed what I thought were the basics of the trade. Lately I've been thinking about how I really enjoy my job and helping customers, so I decided that I would stay on longer but also wanted to learn more about different aspects of being a barista.

Wanting to learn more, I did internet searches and have been reading articles on different barista topics. After doing a bit of reading it's clear to me that not only do I not know advanced techniques, but I don't even know the basics as well. I did not know the proper length it takes to pull a shot. I did not know what it meant to pull a short cap. I wasn't even sure what a true macchiato was. Pretty embarrassing stuff. So, now it's my goal to make up for my deficiencies and learn more. I'm in a strange place of being both embarrassed by my lack of knowledge but also eager to learn more.

So, if anyone has any good resources or knows of any schools for barista training in the San Diego area, I'd really very much appreciate it.

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There are a few really good books out there, "THe Preofessional Baristas Handbook" By Scott Rao, and also the Gimme! Coffee Barista Manual. You can get the gimme book at gimmecoffee.com
good luck

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