Barista

A competitor during the World Barista Championship.

Entered into English from the Italian, in which barista has a meaning roughly synonymous with "bartender" (plural: baristi [masculine or mixed sex] or bariste [feminine]). The term is derived from the Italian use of the word bar, which is similar to the American or British café. Italian bar are ubiquitous, and can be found in practically every Italian town, no matter how small. The barista typically works behind a counter, serving both coffee and alcohol, and usually also small sandwiches and refreshments.

When using the term in English, a barista denotes one who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks. Its meaning is expanding to include what might be called a coffee sommelier, who is highly skilled in espresso preparation, with a comprehensive understanding of coffee, coffee blends, quality, coffee varieties, roast degree, espresso equipment, maintenance, and performance, latte art, etc.

A Barista espresso bar in Kochi, India

Barista is also the name of a coffee shop chain in India. Headquartered in Delhi, Barista currently has over 100 espresso bars across India, Sri Lanka and the Middle East.

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