MANE Barista Jam 2009

Barista jams are the equivalent to business conferences, a place where baristas gather to exchange new techniques, make networking connections, see old friends, and hone their skills under pressure behind the bar. Back in June we were excited to attend the Mid-Atlantic / North-East Jam, hosted by Troy Reynard of The Cosmic Cup.

all photos - Phil Proteau, Counter Culture Coffee

A fully stocked alternative brewing methods table (supplied by Phil Proteau of Counter Culture Coffee) allowed baristas to have hands on experience with equipment they might have otherwise been unfamiliar with. It was a participation friendly station and we were lucky to have so many experts showing us varying techniques.

Chris van Schyndel from Barismo and Jay Caragay from The Spro had very different methods of brewing on the siphon. Both were brewing a washed Sidamo, but by changing the parameters (dose, timing, etc.) they were able to highlight different flavors within the same coffee.

Latte art competitions have become common at barista events, the 2009 MANE was not lacking in latte art, but also offered a very different, very fun event: The Spro-down! Competitors were given a new espresso from Barismo, allowed to pull one shot to taste, had a minute to calibrate, then had to pull a second shot and serve it to a panel of judges. It was a great way to test adaptive skills and palette, and also very fun to see different bar techniques.

An amazing panel discussion focused on transparency in trade arrangements, the necessity of long term business relationships, and the responsibility of buyers to invest in ecological and technological techniques to improve cup quality within the farms they are working with. It hard to do ethical business, and it was very fulfilling as young people in coffee to hear the different ways companies are creating equality between producers and consumers.

There are many jobs in the coffee industry: importers, green buyers, roasters, cafe owners, ect. People are drawn to the coffee industry for a variety of reasons: they want to improve the quality of coffee in their town, they have an unaffordable caffeine addiction, or they simply need a job. Most of these people start as baristas. Baristas who everyday try to make life a little better by serving a product they are proud of. Viva Barista!