Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Barista?

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Barista?
Image: Cecilie_Arcurs / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

We have to give credit to baristas, who make a wide variety of coffee drinks on a daily basis. In this quiz, we'll take a look at 35 questions regarding coffee terminology, including roasts, brews and popular names of coffee drinks. After all, if you want to become a barista, you have to know almost everything about coffee!

First thing's first: if you want to become a barista, you have to know how to profile a roast of coffee. Known as "roast profiling," this is a technique that is used to determine the quality of a particular roast. Rate, temperature and time are used for this type of profiling, and is sometimes conducted by the roast master.

You also have to know what certain types of tools are used for. For example, do you know the difference between a grinder, boiler, tryer and a moka pot? Or, do you know what a steam wand is used for? A steam wand in particular, is used to froth up milk using compressed steam from the boiler.

This quiz will look at various types of coffee terminology that will put you in the place of a barista! Think you know what a caffè mocha and a flat white is? Try this quiz now to see how well you do!

Which of these is NOT part of 'roast profiling?'
Packaging aesthetics
Rate
Time
Temperature
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Packaging aesthetics is not very important when it comes to roast profiling. Baristas need to know how to 'roast profile' using temperature, time and the rate of roasting.

Which of the following is NOT part of a Caffe Latte?
Espresso
Milk foam
Tea leaves
Steamed milk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caffe Lattes don't contain any tea leaves. These are made with steamed milk and espresso, with a layer of milk foam on top.

Which type of coffee roast contains a lot of oil?
Light
Medium
Dark
Coffee roasts don't have any oil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dark roasts contain a lot of oil and is usually very strong and bitter in flavor. These types of roasts are also not very acidic in nature.

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What does "first crack" mean?
The coffee bean "pops" as moisture is released from within
It's another way of saying "roasted coffee"
It refers to the first batch of brewed coffee
It refers to the harvesting of coffee beans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When moisture is released from inside the coffee bean, it "pops" to a larger size. This is known as "first crack."

What is a tryer?
It's a tool that is used to steam milk
It's a tool that is used for "roast profiling"
It's a tool that is used to filter coffee
It refers to a tray that holds coffee cups
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tryer is used for roast profiling, which is often done by the roast master. A tryer is also part of the drum roaster.

An "American" coffee roast refers to what color?
Brown
Black
Dark green
Dark red
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A rich brown color refers to an American-style roast. This is due to the light color of the coffee bean.

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Vienna, Full City and City+ are all types of...?
Brewing styles
Cities
Beverage names
Roast levels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are many types of roast levels, including Full City, Vienna, City+ and French roast. Each type of roast refers to the first or second crack of the coffee bean.

A "continental" roast is also known as a...?
Vienna
American
City
French roast
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Vienna roast has the nickname "continental" roast. This type of roast is also full-bodied with popularity in Northern Italy.

Coffee "on the rocks" is also called...?
Frappe
Cuppa
Iced coffee
Flat white
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Iced coffee is also called "on the rocks," because you're pouring coffee over a cup of ice cubes. You can also add bitters, mint leaves, sugar and cream in this as well.

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Espresso has _______ origins.
American
Spanish
French
Italian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Espresso has Italian roots and is featured in a number of popular coffee drinks, including a cappuccino and a caffe latte. It's typically served hot, but may be served cold as well.

If a customer wants a "cappa," what are they asking for?
Caffè macchiato
Latte macchiato
Cappuccino
Caffè Americano
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cappuccino is also called a "cappa," and is made with double espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. It can also be garnished with cinnamon.

If you add skim milk to a latte, what does it become?
Short latte
Skinny latte
Soy latte
Latte macchiato
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A skinny latte is prepared with skim or nonfat milk. This is also made with espresso, foamed milk and a lot of steamed milk.

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A _______ ________ is known as "stained milk."
Latte macchiato
Caffè mocha
Caffè macchiato
Flat white
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A latte macchiato's translation is "stained milk," because the steamed milk is "stained" or added with espresso. There is also typically a layer of foamed milk on top as well.

Where do coffee seeds come from?
Coffee cherries
Sugar canes
Coffee plant roots
Coffee flour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coffee seeds actually come from coffee cherries, specifically the pit of the cherry. The seeds are removed, dried and ferment in water.

A "half city" refers to which type of roast?
Light
Medium
Dark
American
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A light roast is also called "half city" or "light city" as well. This is due to their light color and acidic quality.

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If a customer wants a "breakfast" roast, what type of roast do they want?
Light
Medium
Dark
New England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A medium roast is also called a "breakfast" roast, and is typically a rich brown in color. The acidity and body of this roast is typically balanced with each other as well.

A metal filter will work best for which of these brewing methods?
Siphon
Nel drip
Pour over
Espresso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Espresso has quite a bit of coffee oil and is highly concentrated, which is due to the metal filtration system. Metal filters also work great for French Press and AeroPress coffee.

Besides espresso, what does an "Espresso Italiano" contain?
Steamed milk
Milk foam
Cinnamon
Nothing else, just espresso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Espresso Italiano doesn't contain anything else except for espresso in its purest form. This also has Italian roots and is thick in texture.

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Which of these coffee drinks has Spanish origins?
Ristretto
Long black
Cortado
Latte
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cortado is a type of coffee drink that has Spanish roots, and is known for its mixture of espresso with hot milk. There is also typically no foamed milk on top.

When you incorporate steam into milk, this is known as...?
Pour over
Extraction
Bloom
Frothing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you incorporate steam into milk, this is known as frothing. Frothed milk, or milk foam, is great for cappuccinos and lattes.

When you pour espresso over ice cream, it becomes an...?
Affogato
Frappé
Caffè mocha
Ristretto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An affogato is actually a type of dessert that is made by pouring espresso over ice cream. This results in a sweet and bitter flavor, as well as creamy textures.

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The "body" of the coffee refers to its...?
Texture
Aftertaste
Aroma
Flavor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The texture of the coffee can be referred to as the "body" of the coffee. This is also called "mouthfeel."

What are the three parts of an espresso shot?
Heart
Crema
Hopper
Body
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The three parts of an espresso shot are the body, heart and crema. The hopper is actually a coffee grinder component that contains the coffee beans.

You can froth milk by using the ______ ______ of an espresso machine.
Steam wand
Hopper
Spout
Boiler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The steam wand is used to froth milk, and looks like a small "arm." Steam is pressed through the nozzle of the steam wand via the boiler.

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What are the designs on top of a latte called?
Body
Latte art
"Golden rule"
Heart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name implies, latte art is the process of incorporating art designs on top of a latte. This is accomplished through microfoam.

"Faux espresso" or "fake espresso" is made by using which of these pots/machines?
Moka pot
French Press
AeroPress
Espresso machine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A moka pot is used to make "false" espresso. It was invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti.

Which of these tools is used to "press" coffee into a "hockey puck" shape?
Spout
Tamper
Moka pot
Doser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tamper is used to "press" coffee into a "hockey puck" shape. This is also used to make espresso.

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Which of these coffee beverages has Greek origins?
Long black
Caffè Americano
Frappé
Latte macchiato
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A frappé has Greek origins, and is a blended beverage that is served chilled. This is typically made by blending ice, milk and espresso together in a blender.

Hot water with some espresso on top is called a...?
Long black
Cortado
Café au lait
Cappuccino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A long black is mostly hot water with a layer of espresso on top. This type of drink is also popular in New Zealand and Australia.

When you layer chantilly cream over espresso, it becomes an...?
Caffè Americano
Espresso con panna
Caffè macchiato
Cappuccino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An espresso con panna is made by topping espresso with chantilly cream, or whipped cream. It also translates to "espresso with cream."

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A "mocaccino" is also known as a...?
Caffè mocha
Caffè macchiato
Café au lait
Cappuccino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "mocaccino" is also known as a caffè mocha, which contains distinct chocolate flavors. This is also typically topped with whipped cream and syrup.

A doppio is how many shots of espresso?
2
1
None
3
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A doppio is another way of saying "two shots of espresso." This is also made with a double coffee filter.

An espresso shot contains how many milliliters?
10
20
60
30
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A standard espresso shot contains 30 milliliters. If you want a double, it would be 60 millimeters, which is also known as a doppio.

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Alcohol is present in which of these coffee drinks?
Irish coffee
Espresso con panna
Cold brew
Lungo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Irish coffee contains Irish whiskey, which is a type of alcohol. This drink is also sweet and creamy in nature.

Cappuccinos contain foamed milk on top. What is this foamed milk called?
Macrofoam
Microfoam
Sweet foam
Espresso foam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Macrofoam is commonly used to make cappuccinos, and is known as "dry foam." This is opposite from microfoam, which is popular for creating latte art.

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