So you want to learn about coffee? That’s great, and we’re here to help with this list of excellent barista training schools! Coffee is a rewarding hobby, and learning how to make excellent coffee is a skill you can use every day for the rest of your life. Most coffee drinkers have at least one cup per day, so it makes sense to invest some time and effort in learning how to make better coffee. But where to start?
The magic of the internet has led to an explosion in the number of educational resources available – often for free – to help people learn about whatever interests them. Coffee education is one area in particular that has seen a rapid rise in the prevalence of online courses, educational videos, and instructional blogs in recent years.
With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to find the best sources to learn from. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you about the nine best places to learn about coffee. Grab a pencil and your books because the class is in session.
The 5 Best Barista Training Schools:
1. Counter Culture Coffee
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHtIyIWFPXB/
Counter Culture Coffee is a leader in the specialty coffee industry. They’re excellent roasters, but they’re also top-notch educators. They have some of the best online barista training on their website that you can find here. These coffee classes include brew guides and tasting lessons and a series of videos covering a wider range of topics from roasting to sustainability. It is a treasure trove of coffee information and is a great place to learn about all things coffee.
But it gets even better. Counter Culture has regional training centers in many major U.S cities. If you’re interested in taking a class in person, you can find a list of the training locations and a schedule of events on their website here.
2. Coffee Project New York
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4EDJ4B8yJ/
Don’t let the name fool you. Although they are based in New York, their website has a selection of online classes to attend. They offer general classes – like barista training and general brewing classes – alongside more focused classes on individual brew methods. There are also in-person classes, but these are only feasible for people who live in New York since all of their locations are in the New York metropolitan area.
3. Joe Coffee Company
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAX9e8HnZjD/
Another New York-based company, Joe Coffee, offers paid classes covering a range of fundamental coffee topics. You can take beginner-focused classes like brewing fundamentals or espresso fundamentals, or sign up for a more in-depth class like virtual coffee tasting. You can find their classes listed on their website.
4. Boot Coffee
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7rUmrsBDON/
Boot coffee is the first resource on this list that provides an entire course in coffee education rather than individual classes. They offer a comprehensive Coffee Skills Program that is recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association, an organization that establishes specialty coffee standards. Their course covers everything from an in-depth look at coffee production to roasting and tasting. The course isn’t cheap, though, so this is for people looking for more formal coffee education. Their classes are listed in the campus section of their website.
5. Blue Bottle
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5j4OGnejv/
Blue Bottle is primarily a specialty coffee roaster, but – like Counter Culture – they have an extensive set of coffee classes and learning material on their website. There are paid formal barista training lessons that rotate occasionally but also a bunch of free guides and articles covering a wide range of topics. The free material is clear and concise and makes a great introduction to coffee education.
Top 4 Fascinating Coffee Roasting Classes:
Coffee roasting is a smaller niche than coffee as a whole, and therefore there are fewer options to choose from. But the internet is a big place, and there are still enough resources to learn the ins and outs of roasting. Some of the sites that we covered in the general best coffee classes section above also have excellent coffee roasting classes.
1. Boot Coffee Roasting Module
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuwgWs-BsXA/
This is the cream of the crop of coffee roasting classes. If you’re considering starting a coffee roasting business, this is the class for you. It is very expensive compared to other sources, but it offers unparalleled depth and access to knowledgeable roasting professionals. For the at-home hobbyist, the cost is prohibitive and the material covered probably won’t be all that useful. Still, if you want to learn how professionals roast coffee, check out the course here.
2. Counter Culture Roasting Complexities
Counter Culture also has information about roasting but it is far less detailed than the Boot Coffee roasting module. It is free, however, so it is worth checking out if you’re just getting interested in roasting or are curious how the process works. It is only a single video, but it is easy to follow and will leave you with a good understanding of what coffee roasting is all about. The video can be found here.
3. Joe Coffee Roasting Fundamentals
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RykpxABCE/
Joe Coffee’s roasting fundamentals class is a nice middle-ground between the introductory Counter Culture video and the professional course from Boot Coffee. It is a paid course but costs only a tiny fraction of the Boot Coffee course. If you are serious about learning how to roast coffee but aren’t ready to put up a lot of money, this class could be perfect for you.
4. Mill City Roasters
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIZKvaYhoOs/
Mill City Roasters sells commercial-grade coffee roasters intended for use in coffee shops and roasting business. They also have a section of their website dedicated to roasting education. You can get a feel for their material by watching the free videos on their site, which are quick hits that cover the basics. If you like what you see, you can pay for their Roasting 101 course and get professional instruction from professional roasters. There is also the Roasting 102 class that provides further guidance with hands-on roasting experience.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article about coffee classes and online barista training helpful! There are tons of great classes available for all levels, both online and in person. If you’re just starting your coffee journey, check out some of the free options first. You can go a long way without paying a dime thanks to the plethora of free resources provided by generous people passionate about coffee education.
Once you decide to take the next step, there are several professional-level coffee classes that cover everything from sourcing beans to roasting and brewing. It’s never been easier to start a coffee business thanks to the endless supply of helpful guides and classes available online. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start learning from the best the coffee industry has to offer!
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- 12 Best Online Coffee Roasters
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- Top 10 Coffee Instagram Accounts of the Year You Have to Follow
Featured Image: StockSnap, Pixabay
