Basic Barista Course /Barista skills SCA

Master espresso and cappuccino techniques, froth milk like a pro, and choose the best equipment in our barista course in Italy—part of an unforgettable Espresso Academy Coffee Week experience

Are you looking to start working as a barista in a specialty café or enhance your skills as a passionate home barista? Do you want to learn the basics of espresso and cappuccino using the latest technologies?

This coffee class in Italy will provide you with practical skills to master espresso extraction, froth milk to a professional standard and choose the best equipment for your setup both for home or professional. You'll also learn the essentials about espresso machine maintenance and how to craft a wide range of Italian and international coffee drinks.

Along with other courses in the “Espresso Academy Coffee Week,” this will be an unforgettable coffee experience in Italy.

 

Installment payments

You can pay our courses in three installments with Stripe, making it easier to manage your budget and enjoy flexibility.

Coffee campus

This course is part of the “Espresso Academy Coffee campus”. The most advanced training program for professionals. Discover more

Are you interested in this course?

 
 

During this class in Italy, you will:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of extracting the perfect coffee shot.
  • Learn how to froth milk to a professional standard using various machines, ensuring the perfect texture and consistency for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks.
  • Know how to choose the best espresso machine, grinder and tools for your barista spot
  • Gain essential skills in cleaning and maintaining your coffee machine to ensure longevity and optimal performance.
  • Master the art of making a wide range of typical Italian and international coffee preparations, from espressos to specialty beverages, elevating your barista skills to a new level.
logosca

This course allows access to two international certifications, both widespread and recognized in the world: IBC and SCA Barista Foundation.

  Courses are held in English

Why Espresso Academy?

  • 1500+ students from all over the world at our Italian headquarters
  • All courses taught in English by certified trainers
  • 30+ branches around the world 

 

  • #1 school in the world on Tripadvisor and Google 
  • The highest number of SCA, LAGS and IBC certified students
  • And… we are in Florence, a city worth  visiting

Online Basic Barista Course

Do you want to become a coffee connoisseur but no time for in-person courses?
Get your barista class online with Espresso Academy.

The best coffee education directly in your home!

Get your online class!

Barista Class - Program

  • The world of coffee: arabica, robusta, varietals from bourbon to catimor.
  • Coffee in the plantation: washed, natural and the new fermentation methods..
  • A brief history of coffee: from Yemen to the plantations in Sicily.
  • Introduction to roasting and how coffee blends are made. We visit the roastery area!
  • The invention and evolution of espresso machines from 1900 to today
  • Practical work begins with the extraction of the espresso and coffee tamping
  • Coffee grinding: how to manage it and how to modify it with the various types of coffee grinders
  • Make and taste espresso made with historical espresso machines: from the lever one to the modern machines (where you can set all the parameters…)
  • Which is the best machine for your project of for your home? Leveller, special tampers, special filters or needles are important?
  • How to choose the best coffee for my project or for my house? 
  • A technical section: setting the volumetric system, setting the temperature, changing the gaskets and.
  • The perfect milk frothing managing different temperatures and frothiness. 
  • Vegetable (Plant Based) milks: try soya, oats and milks specifically designed for the barista
  • Cappuccino in practice: lots of exercises on milk frothing  and classic cappuccino
  • Italian preparations: latte macchiato, latte coffee, espresso macchiato etc.
  • Cleaning and maintenance of espresso machines. The softeners, the blind filter and the cleaning of the showers.

Eventual practical exam for the Italian Barista Certificate
Eventual support in SCA exam (SCA foundation level is only theoretical)

 

To this basic course it's possible to add a second day focused on advanced coffee. Even more practice, even more topics, an even more unforgettable experience!

This second day, which always takes place the day after the basic course, runs from 10am to 5.30pm.

PROGRAM - ADVANCED BARISTA COURSE - DAY 2

  • Introduction to professional coffee tasting: body, acidity, bitterness, sweetness and flavours.
  • The use of the refractometer in extraction measurement. The concept of TDS and extraction.
  • Espresso tasting exercises : commodity arabica e robusta, coffee blends, caffè specialty.
  • Grinding setting exercises with dose and extraction weighing, preparatory to the IBM and SCA exams
  • Not just espresso: brewing, filter coffee and pour over, practical tests
  • Worldwide trends: babyccino, flat white, cortado and other preparations.
  • Latte art basics: height of pouring, flow control and movement of the wrist
  • Practice latte art base: the heart 
  • Basic latte art practice: the figure of the leaf or rosetta  
  • Basic latte art practice: the tulip
  • Basic setting and fixing of the espresso coffee machine: showers, volumetric, temperature

Eventual exam for the Italian Barista Certificate advanced certification (this exam involves a quite demanding speed test, any participation in this course will therefore be evaluated during the course according with the trainer)
Possible additional procedure for SCA intermediate exam.

 

SCA Barista Skills

Barista Skill SCA - Foundation Level

At the end of this course it’s possible to part-take in the SCA Barista Coffee Foundation level certification. Anyone wishing to part-take in the certification exams is asked to report it to us when registering for the course. In our school you can also book the courses for Intermediate and Professional certifications.

What You Will Learn in the Basic Barista class

This is an intensive day for those starting their barista journey, as well as those who want to improve their skills. With this course, you'll have the chance to dive deep into the world of coffee.

We start with theory, exploring the basics of Arabica and Robusta varieties, and learning about different farming and fermentation methods used worldwide. A key part of the day includes a visit to the roastery, where you'll see the coffee bean roasting process and learn the secrets of blending.

In class, we focus on learning about espresso preparation, including explaining and experimenting how to grind and tamp the coffee for the espresso preparation. But barista also means milk, this is why you will learn milk frothing techniques to create creamy cappuccinos and artistic latte designs.

There will be lots of hands-on practice, guided by the Espresso Academy trainers.

In the second part of this barista training day, you'll master classic Italian drinks like caffè macchiato and caffè latte, and customize drinks with syrups and toppings.  Finally, we cover the essential topic of coffee machine cleaning and maintenance to ensure quality and hygiene in your coffee shop.

Your Barista Course in Florence, Italy

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to combine a Barista Course with the cultural and artistic riches of Florence, Italy.

Upon completing the course, which is ideal for home barista and coffee enthusiast and regularly features a diverse group of students from across the world in a highly international setting, participants will have the opportunity to explore sites such as the Uffizi Museum, Ponte Vecchio, The Duomo, and immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere of Florence's medieval city center.

If you wish to enjoy the city or participate in several courses, we have numerous accommodations offering discounts to Espresso Academy students.

It will be a great coffee course. It will be a fantastic journey. It will be an unforgettable experience!

Combine Multiple Courses in One Trip! 

Are you interested in expanding your coffee knowledge beyond tasting and cupping? Our courses are always organized on consecutive days allowing you to participate in multiple courses through a single training trip. Check out our course schedule!

All the professional SCA courses in a row

Do you want to get the best for your coffee education? Join the SCA professional Coffee line. Take all the intermediate coffee SCA classes consecutively, maximizing the value of your time.

[Find out more]

The Espresso Academy Coffee Campus

Are you aiming for  professional level education? This course can also be one of the starting points of the “Espresso Academy Coffee Campus”. The most comprehensive coffee training program globally for coffee professionals.

[Find out more]

Student says...

StephenStephen
20:19 17 Jan 24
Fantastic course on coffee machine maintenance, learned a lot in the short amount of time the course runs. Robert is a great teacher, easy going, explains things well and answers all questions. All other staff members we met during the course were also incredibly polite and welcoming. Well worth the travel.
Andrew HenleyAndrew Henley
13:04 14 Jan 24
The course at the academy was very good. very friendly team and professional teaching.
Daniel AguadoDaniel Aguado
21:00 13 Jan 24
I would like to thank the academy for providing a qualitative formation in a time where such things are difficult to find and sadly underrated.I would also like to particularly commend Robert, our teacher, who has managed to show me in a very short amount of time a wealth of accessible and comprehensible information on a difficult subject. He is awesome, poised, didactic, knowledgeable, approachable and generally very pleasant to be around.
Amit BiswasAmit Biswas
16:33 03 Dec 23
It was fantastic 3 days of learning. It was one of the important learning experiences I had. Trainer was very professional, calm, respectful and friendly. If you are in coffee business, you must do one of their course depending on what you need. Highly recommend.
Ferdinando FerraraFerdinando Ferrara
09:47 27 Nov 23
Excellent experience, recommended to all those who want to expand their knowledge of the world of coffee. I was followed by Professor Michele Cantarella at the Castorino roasting company and here I had the opportunity to see the roasting, to taste many types of coffee, to learn the basics ofMilk art.
Tobias EngelTobias Engel
12:53 02 Nov 23
If you want to learn everything about Coffee, the way how to do your own tasty Espresso, Latte Art this is the place to go. Enthusiatic trainers, very good mix of theory and practice. I wish the team of Espresso Academy all the best and a big thank you for the 2 day's of introduction of italian coffee philosophy 🙂
Maha HamdanMaha Hamdan
09:42 28 Apr 23
I’ve been planning to follow my passion for coffee with a professional training course and I found what I was looking for at The Espresso Academy. From the start Cristiana was very helpful for planning and booking this course for me, responding promptly and making it easier for my needs. During the course Gabriele was doing his best for me to get the most of this course, he was very kind, helpful and attentive. He went above and beyond to give the best experience. It was obviously about the coffee and the passion of coffee rather than just another commercial training course. , I really enjoyed every moment and learned a lot. I also gained confidence in my knowledge and skills. Thank you Espresso Academy.
Sherly CSherly C
11:21 20 Feb 23
High quality classes offered by friendly, serious and very experienced teachers??? i loved it- i can only recommend!
Yuanshi NiYuanshi Ni
09:51 17 Feb 23
Super recommended!!! Instructor was super nice, the content was engaging , I made my first espresso & cappuccino, it was an absolutely fun experience ?
Martyna PakoszMartyna Pakosz
19:20 11 Oct 22
An excellent experience, highly recommend to someone just getting into coffee. Very calm, patient and knowledgeable teachers with whom it was only pleasure to work with. :) 10/10
Pinja ErikssonPinja Eriksson
16:42 12 Dec 21
Took the two day advanced barista course and it exceeded my expectations. Great teachers, great content, and even though it was a short course we got plenty of time to practice actual coffee making without sparing milk. And a bonus is the opportunity to meet coffee students from all over the world, that most likely share similar goals to yours. Highly recommend for anyone getting into coffee business.
Arianna BärArianna Bär
21:22 15 Feb 21
I've attended many courses at Espresso Academy Firenze and I loved it! The staff is incredibly friendly and the courses very nice structured. Theory and lots of practice and we could even visit the roastery! The whole place smells of coffee :) During the pandemic I've also attended a couple Online Courses which were great and the teacher answered all the questions. I totally recommend going there to learn about coffee and become friends with the most amazing teachers :) Hope to see you soon guys!!
js_loader

Our Trainer

Espresso-academy-trainer-Robert-Brinck

Robert Brinck

Robert entered the coffee industry at the age of twenty and since then he's collaborated with us as a trainer in our courses and contributed to bring to life many of our projects. Together we've been able to develop a specific course for espresso machine maintenance and created a small international community of expert technicians helping each other by sharing professional advice Outside of our courses Robert has a role in quality control and roasting of specialty coffees for CaffeLab and, in our consultancy projects for roasting companies and coffee shops he is responsible for the selection of the necessary equipment, coffee and development of the final product.
gc

Gabriele Cortopassi

After many years of experience he´s assisted and done consultancies for many bars and restaurants in Italy and abroad. Gabriele is also the founder of www.aprireunbar.com, which is one of the most followed blogs for bars and restaurants and the the title of his book (Hoepli editions). He´s an official SCA Trainer and also teaches the Bar Management course.

Sign up for this course

Form generico inglese