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Revision as of 21:05, 28 July 2005 by 65.57.245.11 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 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.
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.