Pithy advice from your fellow baristas

[HB]

Grind finer, Tamp softer

This was Jeremy's winning "best of three" entry. It reminded me that sometimes a few select words can carry the impact of many carefully crafted pages (sort of a Zen thing). So in recognition of less-is-more, what advice would you offer to your fellow baristas, if you only had eight words or less? Mine is below...

Listen to the water dance, don't watch.

[k7qz]

Hey Dan, I'll bite! OK, OK it's two sentences but it's still 8 words...

Shot isn't pretty? Toss it, don't drink it.

-Mike

[jrtatl]

well, here's another from the zen master:



Buy fresh. Grind fresh. Brew fresh. Drink fresh.




Jeremy

[HB]

Shot isn't pretty? Toss it, don't drink it.

Au contraire...

At least sip the "mistakes"; know thy enemy.

[k7qz]

Au contraire...

At least sip the "mistakes"; know thy enemy.

Partial point conceded Dan!

As someone newer to the espresso field than yourself, my experience went something along these lines:

When disaster struck ("blond gusher" or whatever) I used to stand there and think to myself of the effort that it took for me to blend those green beans, roast them, let them rest, fiddle with the grider setting, tamp etc. So even though my shot looked like witches brew, I'd eventually just go ahead and toss back that little bit of liquid death. Then for the next 30 seconds or so I'd stand there with my face contorted and say Eewwww, that was really, really bad! Finally I decided that for those really big obvious mishaps, rather than punishing my taste buds I should place them right where they belong- in the sink!

Did I learn something? Yeah, I can make really bad espresso!

However by faithful application of what I've learned from you and others here, this doesn't happy very much now (Yeah!!). Thanks Dan! Thanks the rest of you!

Anyway, my thought was don't be afraid to "try, try again". Hey wait a minute, that's even better, a three word sentence instead of my original two sentance, 8 word offering! Can I re-submit my entry Dan?

Keep 'em coming guys, this is a fun thread!

-Mike

[HAL9000]

Be the coffee Danny.

[miKe mcKoffee]

Know each bean, blend with mind before cup.

Become intimate with the bean, roast your own.

Bad shots are not waste but teachers.

and of course

Life's too short to drink bad coffee!

[jrtatl]

Be the coffee Danny.

nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh.......

[HB]

The site motto is "your guide to exceptional espresso," but I considered the one below:

It's the Barista, Stupid

(However I was concerned that some visitors would not appreciate the humor).

[malachi]

Pay attention.

[HB]

Pay attention.

NB: An unabridged version of Chris' advice is also available.

[papalatte]

Coffee preparation is ART......OBSERVE, FEEL, TASTE, ENJOY...................

Skip

[JonR10]

Syrupy-thick-sweet or fluffy-coffee-chiffon
(Variety is the spice of life)

[Nick]

Your shots aren't as good as you think.

[cappadoc]

Beans, Operator, Grinder, Machine. IN THAT ORDER.



Jeff

[hbuchtel]

Enjoy yourself!

(what I need to remember!)

Henry

[King Seven]

The process of learning should be almost as enjoyable as the coffee you produce, and there should be an end to neither.

[danno]

It gets hot. Be careful.
d

[AndyS]

Wake up and smell the coffee

[MikeR]

Life is intense, drink espresso