Secrets of a Barista Trivia Quiz

Answer: espresso

"Espresso," not "expresso," is a brewing method. When you brew coffee with an espresso machine, the water temperature is kept below boiling point which helps to avoid scalding the coffee. Making a good cup of espresso takes practice. Coffee for espresso must be very finely ground.

It's a perfect blend of sweet and acidic. The foam on espresso is called crema and a well-brewed cup of espresso should have a smooth layer of crema and be free from large bubbles or broken spots. If you like your coffee very strong, espresso is the way to go.

Answer: Total Dissolved Solids

TDS is measured in mg/L or parts per million(ppm). It's the combined amount of organic and inorganic compounds in the water. "Grains of hardness" is another term used to describe the amount of calcium ions present. The PH should be neutral, otherwise it will affect the taste of the coffee.

The type of water you use makes a big difference to the coffee's overall taste. At home I use the same water I drink, reverse osmosis, so I taste the flavor of the coffee, not the minerals or chlorine.

Answer: Indonesia

Known in Indonesia as Kopi Luwak, it is also called civet coffee. The expense of this coffee comes down to the process involved in getting it. The Asian Palm Civet eats coffee cherries which travels through its intestinal tract half-digested and comes out the other end, the result of which is used in the making of this highly priced coffee.

In other words... civet poop. The suppliers of civet coffee have come under fire lately for the inhumane treatment of the animals responsible for creating this deluxe coffee.

Answer: Arabica

Arabica and Robusta coffee beans are the two that are commercially grown. Of the two beans, Arabica has the better flavor. Climate and taste are two factors in distinguishing between the two beans. Price is also a consideration. Simply put, Arabica beans cost more.

They tend to have a sweeter, softer, fruitier taste. Robusta beans have a harsher, nuttier taste. Robusta beans may have twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans but, in the case of coffee drinking, taste trumps cost.

Answer: whiskey

Adding tequila makes it a Mexican coffee. Generally Irish coffee consists of Irish whiskey, coffee, cream, and white or brown sugar depending on the recipe. Of course one doesn't drink Irish coffee from any old cup. It must be consumed in a stemmed, heated mug with a handle for easy lifting. Now that's a proper Irish coffee!

Answer: a cappuccino has more foam

The cappuccino is one third espresso, one third steamed milk, and one third foam. A latte is steamed milk with espresso with a little bit of foam on top. The emphasis of the cappuccino is the 1/3 portion of the ingredients (espresso, milk, foam). Emphasis on a latte is roughly 1-2 oz of espresso and the rest is milk. Essentially, a cappuccino is a latte with a little more espresso and a whole lot of foam.

Answer: 140-150° F

Any hotter than 150° will result in a boiled oatmeal-like taste. Any less than 140° will result in lukewarm coffee which cools down even more if cream or milk is added. Personally I like my coffee very hot. That way I can add anything I want.

Answer: egg

The idea behind adding the egg to the brewing process is that the protein from the egg binds together the sour and bitter components of the coffee. The result is a mild brew with full body. The Scandinavians also use a fine mesh or cheesecloth to filter the coffee.

Answer: chocolate

If you like your brew really sweet, adding chocolate will do the trick. To make a latte or coffee mocha, chocolate sauce, which has already been measured, is poured into a glass or tall cup. You add steamed milk, leaving enough air to create about a 1/2 inch layer of foam. Pour it over the chocolate sauce which will create a layered effect. Once this is done you pour two brewed double shots of espresso through the milk. Stir gently with a long spoon while the ingredients dissolve and mix together. Now all you need to do is drink and enjoy.

Answer: Americano

The first time I tried a cup of espresso I was shocked at how strong it is. I practically spit it out but I was eating in an elegant restaurant and that would have been impolite, to say the least. Most Americans don't drink coffee that strong, at least espresso by itself.

The Americano is made using an espresso machine. It retains the texture from the oils and solubles of the espresso but softens the intensity of the brew.