Barista Basics - Knowledge Checks #1, 2 and
3 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Knowledge Check #1 - CORRECT ANSWER - All About Milk, Brewing Great Coffee,
Coffee Basics, Coffee Origins, Coffee Tasting Characteristics, Exploring Espresso, Espresso Bar
- Beverage Sizes, Espresso Bar - Shots per Beverage Size, Espresso Bar - Syrups and Sauces,
Espresso Bar - Beverage Routine, and Espresso Bar - Iced Espresso Beverages.
What two things be controlled when steaming milk? - CORRECT ANSWER - How much
air is brought into the milk and how hot the milk gets. Following the Milk Steaming Routine will
help you master both.
What is the correct order of the Milk Steaming Routine? - CORRECT ANSWER - Pour
milk, aerate milk, steam milk, sanitize steam wand, and groom milk. Steaming perfect, creamy
milk is what completes many beverages.
What step of the Milk Steaming Routine ensures proper milk flavor and texture (microfoam)? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Aerating. Aerating milk ensures proper milk flavor and texture. It
also creates micro-foam, the smooth creamy texture necessary for late art.
How long should you aerate milk for a latte? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1-3 seconds.
Aerate milk 1-3 seconds for a latte, or 6-8 seconds for a cappuccino or espresso macchiato.
Can milk be resteamed? - CORRECT ANSWER - No. A fresh pitcher of milk should be
steamed for each beverage. This ensures safety, quality, and that no milk is wasted.
How often should milk pitchers, thermometers and spoons be rinsed? - CORRECT
ANSWER - After every use. Also, Pitchers, thermometers and spoons should be washed,
rinsed and sanitized every four hours.
, The Four Fundamentals of Brewing Coffee are: - CORRECT ANSWER - Freshness,
proportion, grind, water. The Four Fundamentals will also help you have conversations with
others about how to brew coffee at home.
The recommended proportion of coffee to water is: - CORRECT ANSWER - 2 Tbsp (10g)
coffee for each 6 fl. oz. Water (180mL).
To determine the right grind for customers, what is the most important thing you need to know? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Brew method. Always use the correct grind for your brewing
method (French press, pour over, etc.).
I use twice the amount of coffee to make it really strong. Which fundamental is negatively
impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proportion. Using too much coffee can make the
brewed coffee sour.
I sometimes leave my coffee bag open on the counter because I like the smell in my house.
Which fundamental is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Freshness. Coffee
flavors are fragile, so coffee should be protected from oxygen, light, heat, and moisture.
I use less than the recommended amount of coffee for weaker cups of coffee. Which fundamental
is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proportion. If a customer wants a
"weaker" cup of coffee, they should follow the correct proportion, then add hot water to their
coffee after it is brewed.
I brew my coffee at about 180 degrees so I don't have to wait for it to cool too long before
drinking. Which fundamental is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Water.
The hot water taps at Starbucks are all calibrated to the proper temperature.
Which Starbucks coffees are available year round? - CORRECT ANSWER - Core. Core
coffees appeal to a wide range of tastes and are available year-round.
3 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Knowledge Check #1 - CORRECT ANSWER - All About Milk, Brewing Great Coffee,
Coffee Basics, Coffee Origins, Coffee Tasting Characteristics, Exploring Espresso, Espresso Bar
- Beverage Sizes, Espresso Bar - Shots per Beverage Size, Espresso Bar - Syrups and Sauces,
Espresso Bar - Beverage Routine, and Espresso Bar - Iced Espresso Beverages.
What two things be controlled when steaming milk? - CORRECT ANSWER - How much
air is brought into the milk and how hot the milk gets. Following the Milk Steaming Routine will
help you master both.
What is the correct order of the Milk Steaming Routine? - CORRECT ANSWER - Pour
milk, aerate milk, steam milk, sanitize steam wand, and groom milk. Steaming perfect, creamy
milk is what completes many beverages.
What step of the Milk Steaming Routine ensures proper milk flavor and texture (microfoam)? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Aerating. Aerating milk ensures proper milk flavor and texture. It
also creates micro-foam, the smooth creamy texture necessary for late art.
How long should you aerate milk for a latte? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1-3 seconds.
Aerate milk 1-3 seconds for a latte, or 6-8 seconds for a cappuccino or espresso macchiato.
Can milk be resteamed? - CORRECT ANSWER - No. A fresh pitcher of milk should be
steamed for each beverage. This ensures safety, quality, and that no milk is wasted.
How often should milk pitchers, thermometers and spoons be rinsed? - CORRECT
ANSWER - After every use. Also, Pitchers, thermometers and spoons should be washed,
rinsed and sanitized every four hours.
, The Four Fundamentals of Brewing Coffee are: - CORRECT ANSWER - Freshness,
proportion, grind, water. The Four Fundamentals will also help you have conversations with
others about how to brew coffee at home.
The recommended proportion of coffee to water is: - CORRECT ANSWER - 2 Tbsp (10g)
coffee for each 6 fl. oz. Water (180mL).
To determine the right grind for customers, what is the most important thing you need to know? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Brew method. Always use the correct grind for your brewing
method (French press, pour over, etc.).
I use twice the amount of coffee to make it really strong. Which fundamental is negatively
impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proportion. Using too much coffee can make the
brewed coffee sour.
I sometimes leave my coffee bag open on the counter because I like the smell in my house.
Which fundamental is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Freshness. Coffee
flavors are fragile, so coffee should be protected from oxygen, light, heat, and moisture.
I use less than the recommended amount of coffee for weaker cups of coffee. Which fundamental
is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proportion. If a customer wants a
"weaker" cup of coffee, they should follow the correct proportion, then add hot water to their
coffee after it is brewed.
I brew my coffee at about 180 degrees so I don't have to wait for it to cool too long before
drinking. Which fundamental is negatively impacted? - CORRECT ANSWER - Water.
The hot water taps at Starbucks are all calibrated to the proper temperature.
Which Starbucks coffees are available year round? - CORRECT ANSWER - Core. Core
coffees appeal to a wide range of tastes and are available year-round.
