A Barista Is...

Well not much to talk about as far as anything happening in Las Vegas. The same ole same ole I guess. Sambalatte opened their latest shop the week before and other than a couple of shops having their usual 50% off Mocha Mondays, Poetry Nights and Creative nights at Grouchy John’s, there isn’t much to talk about.

 This weeks article will focus on the star of each and every coffee shop in existence. They were once thought of as seers but nowadays they are relegated to being the mentors, psychologists and sages of each local. We of course are speaking about the Barista.

The Barista has taken on many forms throughout the ages, part town crier to mixer of all things espresso. Their positions in most parts of the world are well respected. In Europe, specifically in Italy the Barista is a position that is occupied by men and women of age 48 years on average. They are highly respected and because coffee is held in such high esteem in these countries, the barista is also a respected and high paying profession. 

What a Barista Is...

A Barista is a professional sommelier of coffee drinks much like a wine sommelier. Their educational level is equal to that of a Masters Degree student. Their level of competence is likened to that of a doctor. Really good ones not only can help you choose the right drink but know how the coffee is roasted, processed and prepared for every drink. 

More importantly, they are your best friend and the most important person you may ever know. 

Let’s say you’ve had a long day at the office. The boss has been particularly crappy to you this week. The dog took a crap on your favorite tie but you didn’t notice it until you were already at work. Then to top it all off, that project you have been betting on being finalized in a couple of weeks, is due tomorrow, the same time that you plan of going away for your 25^th wedding anniversary.

On your way home to break the bad news to your honey, you stop by your favorite coffee shop expecting a doppio espresso with a biscotti. You know you have to go home afterwards and tell the Mrs the bad news and get straight to work. It will be an all nighter.

There is that familiar face behind the counter, smartly dressed, pony-tailed and tats all over his arms. He takes your order, hands back your change and with a wink and smile goes to work at his espresso station. A few minutes later, there it is, Your order. 

Now let me ask you. Do you want to chance your last bit of sanity on a fool or a professional? Yes, your barista is a professional. Not only is the doppio excellente but he threw in an extra shot because he instinctively knew, only an extra shot would get you over the hump. You’d trust this guy with your kids on Sunday and your wife on a Friday. He is your best friend, your Barista.

What a Barista is Not….

Some chump, air-headed teenager who can’t get a better job, or an out of work actor. Your barista isn’t a chatty chick with a predilection to play store, nor is your barista a lacky who likes to be abused by snobby housewives. 

Nay a barista is to be revered from their rooter to their tooter. When you need someone to pick you up in the morning or talk you off the ledge in the evening, they will be there. Their artistry with a pitcher full of frothed milk, a whipped can of cream or fluted steam pot make them a formitable foe to any depressing moment they come upon. So the next time you have an opportunity to talk to your local barista, give them a wink and a nod, tip them generously and thank them for being the most important person in your life.

This Week. A Look Back

As espresso bar owners we do all we can to attract people from all of the city to come in and enjoy our gourmet specialty coffees. Some get out on the street corners and spin and twirl, while others send out mailers in the hope that  their message will get out.
Well whatever the method, letting people know about our businesses is paramount to sharing the news of the wonders of gourmet coffee. The alternative is that folks will find the nearest shop in the neighborhood and take their chances on...well let's just say NOT the best product you can find.
So here are a few snapshots of the ways that local shop owners in Las Vegas are using to attract more customers. Pay careful attention, there may be a shop in your area that you never heard of or may have overlooked.

Here is an inventive one by Frankly Good Coffee




Sambalatte uses a more traditional approach.



 

Here is one from our friends at Tiabi Coffee and Waffle Bar






Avery's Coffee uses graphics and savory to get the word out.





How about Sunrise Coffee





And lastly our friends at Grouchy's



Be sure and check out these and all the other Independently owned coffee shops here in Las Vegas. They have great selection of coffees, teas and friendly staffs to help you enjoy the world of Coffee.
Sherman

New In Town

Las Vegas has seen what some would call a coffee renaissance in the past few years. We've gone from boom to bust in the real estate market in just 5 short years. Our economy has really changed. Some would say for the worse but many would say for the better. In a way, the best of the best have made it through the tough times and now, what the every day Las Vegan has to choose from are pretty stable businesses and especially coffee shops.

Gone are the companies that didn't have deep roots in the community or in the industry itself. Today, what you have are companies that by and large were created either just before the crash of 2008-2009 or right in the midst of it.

Can you imagine, opening a business right at the height of the depression. Well, several of the companies on our LIST (see our Jan. 31 Blog post) did just that. Among them is Colorado River Coffee Roasters out in Boulder City. This micro roasting company not only opened in the midst of The Great Recession but they have made a name for themselves among a handful of other coffee shop owners in Las Vegas and other commercial accounts.

I spoke with Don Anderson, the owner of CRCR, about his business. He said the reason why he believes his company is so successful is because of the quality of the beans that they are able find. Without quality beans, it is impossible to produce a great cup of coffee.

CRCR has grown from a small batch production coffee roasting machine, one that most small shops would love to have in their locations, to a full fledged capacity machine. On a recent visit out to their plant in Boulder City, I met their head roaster and sampled some of the best varieties of espresso and regular roasted beans. In the warehouse there were plenty of green beans just waiting to be roasted to order.

Don says that for CRCR, business has been steadily growing, even through the down turn in the economy. We can only surmise that this uptick in growth is as a result of a quality product.

Here is a quote from their company page. "Showing everyone that there are options available for those that truly want a decent cup of coffee instead of just accepting what is readily available. We only sell whole bean coffee, to ensure that the product you drink is as fresh as possible."

Sherman Ray
Writer