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