Perfecting the art of coffee isn’t just about mastering the right techniques - it’s also about knowing what not to do. Even the most experienced baristas can fall into bad habits that impact the quality of their coffee. Whether you’re behind the machine in a busy café or just making your morning brew at home, here are the top five barista mistakes to avoid.
1. Neglecting Your Steam Wand
Mistake: Leaving milk residue on the steam wand.
A steam wand covered in a tube of baked milk is not just unappetising - it’s unhygienic. Left unchecked, it can lead to off flavours and even blockages in the wand.
Fix: Always wipe your steam wand immediately after steaming each milk jug. Use a clean, damp cloth, and give it a short purge of steam to clear any remaining milk.
Funky steam wand
2. The Portafilter Tap Habit
Mistake: Tapping the portafilter with the tamper after tamping.
This old-school habit is a tough one to shake. Baristas often tap the side of the portafilter to knock off loose coffee grounds, but this also disturbs the carefully tamped coffee bed. It can cause cracks and channels, leading to uneven extraction.
Fix: Simply skip the tap. Instead, use a gentle brush or your finger to clear any grounds from the edge of the portafilter.
The group handle tap.
3. Leaving Portafilters Out of Group Heads
Mistake: Letting portafilters sit out and cool down.
A cold portafilter can ruin your shot before it even begins. If the portafilter isn’t kept locked up in the group head, it loses heat, and your coffee hits cold metal instead of a warm, consistent surface.
Fix: Always keep your portafilters locked into the group heads when they’re not in use. This keeps them hot and ready for perfect extractions.
Group handles out of the machine going cold.
4. Ignoring Dirty Filter Baskets
Mistake: Failing to clean filter baskets between extractions.
Dirty baskets mean dirty coffee. Residual coffee oils and grounds can quickly build up, impacting the flavour of your shots and creating a bitter, burnt taste.
Fix: Make it a habit to wipe out your filter basket between every shot. Regular deep cleaning of your baskets (and the group heads) should also be part of your routine.
5. Forgetting the People Behind the Coffee
Mistake: Focusing on coffee but forgetting customer connection.
Being a barista is like being a barman for sober people, and it is still a people business, no matter how much we obsess about coffee. Whether you’re a café barista or making coffee at home for friends, remember that a little hospitality goes a long way.
Fix: Smile and take a moment to chat with customers. Coffee is a social experience, so don’t forget to bring a little warmth and personality to your service.
Mastering Coffee Is About the Details
Perfecting your coffee game isn’t just about fancy equipment or complex techniques — it’s about mastering the basics and avoiding common mistakes. By keeping these five simple tips in mind, you can brew better coffee, every time.
