Words from Experience

Working at a coffee shop and any work place you get to meet some unique people! At Latte Donatte we have 8-10 employees, all ranging from experienced in life to learning algebra 3 in high school.  One employee especially has gone through many things in the realm of a coffee shop, and no this is not my boss. Karen Vogel, an employee who I am very privileged to work with multiple days in the week.


 Her bright spirit with employees and knowledge of coffee is very pleasurable and easy to work with.


I had the opportunity to sit down with her and ask several questions regarding life in a coffee shop and thought sharing her story would be beneficial. She has gone through the customer, barista, and owner stages of a coffee shop enjoying parts of each step. Knowing she had her own coffee shop we began there.

How did you get involved with coffee shops?
 (Her reply was inspiring considering I would also like to start my own coffee shop one day.)
    
Would you believe that her answer was based on 7 years of vacation down in Florida? Her husband, her and couple would go down to Florida every winter and daily they would go to a coffee shop that opened her view to the environment of the coffee shop. She used words to explain the environment such as "friendly, calming, the sway of the palm trees, it just had a feeling that was welcoming."
   
 Karen's inspiration to me: the spark for a dream can start from something simple as... the experience a coffee shop.


What happened with the inspiration?

From there she started the journey that would end with a coffee shop in the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall with 2 other partners. They were in establishment 1998-2004. Daily serving Alterra Coffee and local artists works  to daily shoppers was Karen's now dream come true.


Karen as a Barista
   -Saw big change in location. She commented on the change in customers. "At a mall you have your regular shoppers who meet their girlfriend or family, drink coffee then go shop. In a small town you traffic, you have "the guys" (as we call them at Latte Donatte) who come in every morning and we know who each other are by our first name.

                                     

 It is fun to see the interaction between the barista's and customers.

 Going from work to school. I get several "good luck at 

school Katie" in morning as I rush to class. 

                         

   - Karen stated some things that get her excited about work. Her favorite thing being the other person she gets to work with on that day. Several observations were noted about customer approach to ordering when certain people work. She really noted the dislike of "turnover employees" and how regular customers like seeing familiar faces versus several different ones who they do not know.


   - Ever think maybe work is boring? Not for Karen. The running joke is that she gets all the exciting stories while working. She told me numerous items that make working at a coffee shop not a monotonous job.
          
 Take for instance... Police coming in for a questioning about a customer that had bought coffee from you earlier that morning.


Those lovely customers we all that that just push our patience to the limit. Her favorites are those who are chatty about some very random things. What do barista's get to do at those times? Smile and continue the conversation... somehow!

Latte Art [Rosetta] from Tyler

         - Having a new customer and hearing their excitement about  
            the place!
         - Making a drink that is definitely worth the money! And just
            because it looks pretty!


Working with talented and open people is a benefit I get daily at a coffee shop. We are a family, of customers and employees. Grateful to Karen for the knowledge she has passed onto me and I hope to you too!
                             

Webster's Coffee Dictionary

How would you describe coffee?

Mud water? A magical drink that wakes you up in the morning? A smooth, textured, and flavorful drink that is compatible with many different flavors? The one person you could ask is the Barista at your local coffee shop. Yet, ever enter the coffee shop and not know what to ask or how to ask it?

Why are people stumped when it comes to what they want for a coffee?

Because they are not familiar with the terminology of coffee and what is in coffee. Here are helpful definitions that can help you for the next time you walk into the coffee shop for your next cup.


Square One:
      Espresso: This is what is used in the majority of drinks made in a Cafe. It is served in 1-2 oz servings in drinks. Using very finely ground beans they use pressure to compact it so the water running through is able to get the high concentrated taste that many in the world today enjoy.


      Foam/Froth: Heard the song Taylor the Latte Boy? She has one phrase in the song "and thank you for the extra foam". Ever wonder what she meant? Foam and Froth are the same things. While steaming the milk they "bubble it" to create millions of tiny bubbles increasing the milk capacity. This technique makes the milk smooth and light tasting. It is used in lattes, cappuccinos and any other drink that people want it on.

Drinks

   Cafe' : French word for coffee
  
   Cafe au Lait: Similar to the Latte expect substitute the strong Espresso with Drip Coffee.
    
     Cappuccino: Yes there is a difference between Gas Stations and Coffee Shops. Some places will call these Italian Cappuccino's. The cappuccino is one of the strongest espresso drinks. Using espresso, a little steamed milk, and mostly foamed milk.

    
 Latte: Similar to the Cappuccino. The only difference is more steamed milk is used with a small layer of foam to finish off the top.
     
Mocha: Probably the drink that is used to introduce someone to coffee. It is a latte with chocolate powder. White, dark, or milk chocolate.


Tasting: This term is used with what we call drip coffee or brewed coffee.
    
Acidity: Refers to the bright, tangy, fruity characteristics found in the coffee.
    
Body: The texture and feel of the coffee. It has a strong, creamy, and pleasant feel if the coffee is full bodied.
     
Roast: Used as the combination of the many characteristics of coffee. Customers tend to ask for which is the lighter and which is the darker roast of the day. Darker roasts have a stronger taste, while lighter roasts do not have the strong bitter taste found in darker roasts of coffee. The beans roast level does have some effect on the taste yet the acidity and body have contributing factors too.
 
Taking peoples orders for their coffee can be entertaining. I get to hear many different versions of what the drinks are. This is when the barista's take those moments and get to tell you about what we get to do as a job, make coffee! So next time you go to your local coffee shop, or a Starbucks. Try out a new drink since you now know some more terms of coffee drinks.