Barista Exam | Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: What does Single Origin Mean?
Answer:
Coffee traced to one farm, able to be sourced back to one place
Q: Define Terroir?
Answer:
Conditions coffee is grown in, like the climate.
Q: Name the Main Regions where coffee is grown?
Answer:
Central America, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia
Q: What are the two main species of coffee?
Answer:
Arabica and Robusta
Q: What are Varietals?
Answer:
Subspecies of a coffee plant
,Q: List 4 types of Varietals
Answer:
Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Colombia, Catuai
Q: What distinguishes High Altitude Beans?
Answer:
3500ft +
Q: Describe the ideal climate condition for coffee
Answer:
High, Dry, Warm
Q: Describe the difference between commodity & specialty coffee - Commodity Coffee
Answer:
cheap, low quality,
low traceability EX: Folgers Specialty Coffee- higher quality coffee that is grown and
picked with intent
EX: Us
Q: Define 1st Wave Coffee
Answer:
Commodity coffee, bold dark roast coffee cultivated for the masses EX:
Folgers, Maxwell House
Q: Define 2nd Wave Coffee.
Answer:
Larger corporations, more diverse coffee but still for the masses, paved the
way for smaller cafes EX: Starbucks, Peet's Coffee
,Q: Define 3rd Wave Coffee.
Answer:
Craft Coffee, smaller businesses that focus on terroir and roast. Coffee that
encourages conversation around different regions/ varieties of coffee that caters to smaller
markets. EX:
Us, Bold Bean
Q: What is a Roast Profile?
Answer:
Flavor after roast
Q: What is an Origin Profile?
Answer:
Flavor naturally present from terroir
Q: What are the two main stages of Roasting Beans?
Answer:
First crack, second crack
Q: Describe the biggest challenge a Roaster faces.
Answer:
Finding the best roasting profile for each origin
Q: What are the main controllable parameters of Roasting?
Answer:
Time and temperature
, Q: How long should beans rest after roasting
Answer:
2 days
Q: What is the optimal window of consumption for freshly roasted beans?
Answer:
3 weeks
Q: What is the purpose of the one-way valve on our coffee bags?
Answer:
Release CO2 without letting oxygen in
Q: What are the major threats to freshly roasted beans?
Answer:
Environmental changes (Air, Water, Heat)
Q: List 3 manufacturers of Roasters.
Answer:
San Francisco, Mill City, Proaster
Q: What is the main style of commercial roasting?
Answer:
Drum
Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: What does Single Origin Mean?
Answer:
Coffee traced to one farm, able to be sourced back to one place
Q: Define Terroir?
Answer:
Conditions coffee is grown in, like the climate.
Q: Name the Main Regions where coffee is grown?
Answer:
Central America, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia
Q: What are the two main species of coffee?
Answer:
Arabica and Robusta
Q: What are Varietals?
Answer:
Subspecies of a coffee plant
,Q: List 4 types of Varietals
Answer:
Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Colombia, Catuai
Q: What distinguishes High Altitude Beans?
Answer:
3500ft +
Q: Describe the ideal climate condition for coffee
Answer:
High, Dry, Warm
Q: Describe the difference between commodity & specialty coffee - Commodity Coffee
Answer:
cheap, low quality,
low traceability EX: Folgers Specialty Coffee- higher quality coffee that is grown and
picked with intent
EX: Us
Q: Define 1st Wave Coffee
Answer:
Commodity coffee, bold dark roast coffee cultivated for the masses EX:
Folgers, Maxwell House
Q: Define 2nd Wave Coffee.
Answer:
Larger corporations, more diverse coffee but still for the masses, paved the
way for smaller cafes EX: Starbucks, Peet's Coffee
,Q: Define 3rd Wave Coffee.
Answer:
Craft Coffee, smaller businesses that focus on terroir and roast. Coffee that
encourages conversation around different regions/ varieties of coffee that caters to smaller
markets. EX:
Us, Bold Bean
Q: What is a Roast Profile?
Answer:
Flavor after roast
Q: What is an Origin Profile?
Answer:
Flavor naturally present from terroir
Q: What are the two main stages of Roasting Beans?
Answer:
First crack, second crack
Q: Describe the biggest challenge a Roaster faces.
Answer:
Finding the best roasting profile for each origin
Q: What are the main controllable parameters of Roasting?
Answer:
Time and temperature
, Q: How long should beans rest after roasting
Answer:
2 days
Q: What is the optimal window of consumption for freshly roasted beans?
Answer:
3 weeks
Q: What is the purpose of the one-way valve on our coffee bags?
Answer:
Release CO2 without letting oxygen in
Q: What are the major threats to freshly roasted beans?
Answer:
Environmental changes (Air, Water, Heat)
Q: List 3 manufacturers of Roasters.
Answer:
San Francisco, Mill City, Proaster
Q: What is the main style of commercial roasting?
Answer:
Drum
