Certified Barista Written Test ACTUAL
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What does Organic mean, in the context of Coffee? Describe some details about the organic
program regarding cash flow and structure. - CORRECT ANSWER - Organic coffee is
grown and processed w/o the use of chemicals or pesticides, from seed to cup> Organic
certifications are given by private organizations, that in return for a fee, certify the coffee
organic, which guarantees the farmer a "higher than market price" for the coffee they produce.
Please give 2 reasons why most coffee brewed at home does not taste as well as when it is
brewed in a cafe - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Improper water temp: less than 195-205
2. Improper grind/bad quality grinder
What are some key points that you would discuss w/ a guest who is wanting to brew coffee at
home w. an alternative brewing method? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. water temperature,
2. water quality,
3. grind,
4. proper filtration,
5. extraction times,
6. pre grind vs whole bean
7. stale coffee.
Give two examples of Acidity - CORRECT ANSWER - a. Acidity: Lemon, orange,
grapefruit, apricot, plumb, grape, apple
Give two examples of Sweetness - CORRECT ANSWER - b. Sweetness: Caramel,
chocolate, butterscotch, toffee
, Give two examples of Bitterness - CORRECT ANSWER - c. Bitterness: Dark Chocolate,
bakers chocolate, fruit rind, carbon, burnt sugar
Give two examples of Aroma - CORRECT ANSWER - d. Aroma: Sweet, spicy, fruity
(Aromatic characteristics tend to be more general and become clear when experienced w/ the
associated flavor).
Give two examples of Body/Mouthfeel - CORRECT ANSWER - e. Body/mouthfeel:
Heavy, Light, Gritty, Smooth, Viscous, Syrupy, Effervescent
Give two examples of Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - f. Balance: Acidity, sweetness,
and bitterness all coexist and interact in harmony w/ no characteristic overpowering the other
What are two factors that can cause coffee and prices to change from origin to origin and from
day to day? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.Taxes and tariffs placed on coffee by countries,
weather during the growing season, coffee plant/pests in countries,
2. Production, the total demand for coffee, the total supply of coffee, shipping, importation and
transportation.
Describe the Arabica coffee - CORRECT ANSWER - Arabica: Grown at Higher
elevations (1000-2000 MASL and even higher), generally considered to be higher quality than
Robusta, and is more susceptible to disease and pests than Robusta
Describe Robusta coffee - CORRECT ANSWER - Robusta: Grown at lower elevations
(generally less 1000 MASL), generally considered to be substantially lower quality than Arabica,
yields more coffee per plant that Arabica, is easier to grow than Arabica, and is less susceptible
to disease and pests than Arabica
What the three certifications the Kaldi's Roasting Facility holds: - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Organic
2. Kosher
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What does Organic mean, in the context of Coffee? Describe some details about the organic
program regarding cash flow and structure. - CORRECT ANSWER - Organic coffee is
grown and processed w/o the use of chemicals or pesticides, from seed to cup> Organic
certifications are given by private organizations, that in return for a fee, certify the coffee
organic, which guarantees the farmer a "higher than market price" for the coffee they produce.
Please give 2 reasons why most coffee brewed at home does not taste as well as when it is
brewed in a cafe - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Improper water temp: less than 195-205
2. Improper grind/bad quality grinder
What are some key points that you would discuss w/ a guest who is wanting to brew coffee at
home w. an alternative brewing method? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. water temperature,
2. water quality,
3. grind,
4. proper filtration,
5. extraction times,
6. pre grind vs whole bean
7. stale coffee.
Give two examples of Acidity - CORRECT ANSWER - a. Acidity: Lemon, orange,
grapefruit, apricot, plumb, grape, apple
Give two examples of Sweetness - CORRECT ANSWER - b. Sweetness: Caramel,
chocolate, butterscotch, toffee
, Give two examples of Bitterness - CORRECT ANSWER - c. Bitterness: Dark Chocolate,
bakers chocolate, fruit rind, carbon, burnt sugar
Give two examples of Aroma - CORRECT ANSWER - d. Aroma: Sweet, spicy, fruity
(Aromatic characteristics tend to be more general and become clear when experienced w/ the
associated flavor).
Give two examples of Body/Mouthfeel - CORRECT ANSWER - e. Body/mouthfeel:
Heavy, Light, Gritty, Smooth, Viscous, Syrupy, Effervescent
Give two examples of Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - f. Balance: Acidity, sweetness,
and bitterness all coexist and interact in harmony w/ no characteristic overpowering the other
What are two factors that can cause coffee and prices to change from origin to origin and from
day to day? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.Taxes and tariffs placed on coffee by countries,
weather during the growing season, coffee plant/pests in countries,
2. Production, the total demand for coffee, the total supply of coffee, shipping, importation and
transportation.
Describe the Arabica coffee - CORRECT ANSWER - Arabica: Grown at Higher
elevations (1000-2000 MASL and even higher), generally considered to be higher quality than
Robusta, and is more susceptible to disease and pests than Robusta
Describe Robusta coffee - CORRECT ANSWER - Robusta: Grown at lower elevations
(generally less 1000 MASL), generally considered to be substantially lower quality than Arabica,
yields more coffee per plant that Arabica, is easier to grow than Arabica, and is less susceptible
to disease and pests than Arabica
What the three certifications the Kaldi's Roasting Facility holds: - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Organic
2. Kosher
