| Revision as of 03:43, 12 October 2005 edit139.80.48.19 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:03, 12 October 2005 edit undo128.12.150.62 (talk) noted similar pronunciation only applies to British EnglishNext edit → | ||
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| Currently, the definition can range from an unskilled 'person behind the counter,' all the way to a "coffee ]," with years of experience and training. The use of the word by ] for its employees has greatly popularized the term. | Currently, the definition can range from an unskilled 'person behind the counter,' all the way to a "coffee ]," with years of experience and training. The use of the word by ] for its employees has greatly popularized the term. | ||
| A barista is not to be confused with a ], which is pronounced the same way. | A barista is not to be confused with a ], which is pronounced the same way in British English. | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 08:03, 12 October 2005
Since approximately 1990, the term barista (the Italian word for "bartender" - masculine or feminine; plural: baristi (masculine) or bariste (feminine)) has been used in English to denote a professional maker of espresso coffee beverages. Prior to that time, the less elegant but prevailing term was "espresso puller." The shift of terminology probably comes, at least in part, from the fact that most espresso machines manufactured since the 1980s no longer require pulling down on a big handle. Some people believe you can measure the skill of the barista by the quality of the crema on a cup of espresso.
Currently, the definition can range from an unskilled 'person behind the counter,' all the way to a "coffee sommelier," with years of experience and training. The use of the word by Starbucks for its employees has greatly popularized the term.
A barista is not to be confused with a barrister, which is pronounced the same way in British English.