Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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how are my flat whites? (reddit.com)
submitted by diphenhydranautical
SmittyComic 62 points 11m ago
good enough to cry over when you go to hand it off and they say: "oh, I wanted that iced/with no foam/with this OTHER milk."
diphenhydranautical [OP] 11 points 11m ago
😭😭😭😭 thank you omg
Enumerated_flowers 58 points 11m ago
They’re looking pretty good! Just a couple tips! After you steam your milk really try to tap out all of the bubbles while you’re grooming it. It’ll help you get a bigger dot and make it look super “flat white-y” also really dip the spout into the cup when you first start to pour. The Starbucks pitchers are HORRIBLE for making latte art but I think you could easily overcome it
diphenhydranautical [OP] 12 points 11m ago
so the bubbles i think are actually from the shots going into the cup, because when the shots were pulled into the cup the bubbles were always in the same spot as they were when it was just the shots. is there any way i can avoid that? i have some pics of my milk and there are like no bubbles at all so i’m 99% certain it’s from the shots. would pulling them into the glass and pouring them into the cup from there help? i didnt think to try that until just now lol
edit i posted a couple pics of some milk i was somewhat proud of from my last few shifts!
edit i posted a couple pics of some milk i was somewhat proud of from my last few shifts!
Suspicious_Wiener 25 points 11m ago
I pour them down the inside of the cup for flat whites, so that the stream hits the side and rolls down. Bubble free!
SmittyComic 20 points 11m ago
so correct.
Listen to this person!
for everyone else:
also works for when you have syrup in the cup. syrup will bubble when you put the shot on top of it. so slide that sucker down the side.
TIP:
Learn where the shot comes out on the machine and start placing the cup right where it goes down the side - then measure it with your fingers and hands so you start putting the cup there automatically. On the NEW machines you can find the "hole" in the grate that the shot goes right into and put your finger in it, putting the cup up against your finger and now the shot will hit the side of the cup every time.
Listen to this person!
for everyone else:
also works for when you have syrup in the cup. syrup will bubble when you put the shot on top of it. so slide that sucker down the side.
TIP:
Learn where the shot comes out on the machine and start placing the cup right where it goes down the side - then measure it with your fingers and hands so you start putting the cup there automatically. On the NEW machines you can find the "hole" in the grate that the shot goes right into and put your finger in it, putting the cup up against your finger and now the shot will hit the side of the cup every time.
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
this is so helpful , thank you!
dregonzz 2 points 11m ago
This is the way
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
that’s smart, thank you! i’ll have to try that next time i work!
highspeed06 6 points 11m ago
also, while this isn’t a starbucks standard, pouring your milk from one steaming pitcher into another slowly will help cool it (making the beverage more enjoyable) but will also help groom you milk, i do this when i have time and it helps a lot when trying to do latte art and such!!
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
oooo i haven’t heard this one before, thank you!! will def give that a shot!!! :D
highspeed06 3 points 11m ago
yes, i also tap the shots a bit and swirl them so they bigger bubbles are released. pouring them may disturb the crema but i’m not sure how/if that’d affect taste at all.
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
good point! i’ve tried tapping/swirling the shots before and it doesn’t seem to pop as many bubbles as it does with the milk. i’ll keep practicing !
highspeed06 4 points 11m ago
someone else said to let them pour down the side and they should be fine for the crema!! i secretly let the shots sit for a couple seconds after i groom so they settle as well, don’t do this in front of the “shots die!!”manager though i’ve gotten yelled at for that.
[deleted] 1 points 11m ago
[deleted]
Enumerated_flowers 1 points 11m ago
Just like @highspeed06 said I tap the shots and “groom” them just like the milk.. it usually helps
[deleted] 1 points 11m ago
[deleted]
Wonderful-Put-5972 11 points 11m ago
So at my last skills check earlier this year I groomed my milk and was told it is NOT standard for flat whites anymore SO I have learned to really focus on the steam wand and it's position in the actual pitcher. Minimal aeration and make sure the wand is in the middle of the pitcher creating that tornado. I wish Starbucks pitchers were shaped differently and had more ergonomic handles but they don't so when pouring hold the pitcher with your index finger and thumb at the top rather than gripping with first grip. This will give better control. Pour a small amount into cup to save shots and pause and then continue. You're doing so great.
dazedandconfusedhere 8 points 11m ago
The milk steaming routine absolutely includes grooming your milk, I’ve never seen anyone say you shouldn’t be???
Wonderful-Put-5972 2 points 11m ago
That's what I thought and I was so proud of myself for the tap tap tap and promptly got told NO!!
PartlyCloudyKid 3 points 11m ago
Asm was wrong, proper procedure is to groom milk. My shift thinks it's annoying so they tell us not to, irritates me because I actually like good foam on my drinks 😩 I've heard shift tell new hires it's against code for us to do it, just straight up lying about it.
dazedandconfusedhere 3 points 11m ago
There’s literally nowhere that says not to groom milk though??? It’s not on the recipe cards because it’s a part of the milk steaming routine
Whoever told you no is definitely wrong lmao
Whoever told you no is definitely wrong lmao
Wonderful-Put-5972 1 points 11m ago
Oh I moved from that district but I would LOVE to prove that micro person WRONG!
sun_scarlet 4 points 11m ago
I just trained someone a few weeks ago and in the online training activity, they tell you to groom the milk and pour the dot in flat whites.
Wonderful-Put-5972 1 points 11m ago
Like I said, that was always my technique until I was told it's no longer a thing so I guess either that ASM was wrong or they've changed back. IDC at this point
diphenhydranautical [OP] 3 points 11m ago
thank you! i think most of the bubbles are actually from the shots, i can post pics of my milk! i’ve been pretty proud of my milk lately too hehe
edit milk posted!
edit milk posted!
FrustratingBears 1 points 11m ago
one thing i learned for flat whites from a coworker is to let the shots sort of trickle down the inside of the cup so that it cushions their fall and there are far fewer bubbles, instead of just letting them drop in from full height
kingbirbiii 6 points 11m ago
so much better than i can do 😩
kingbirbiii 3 points 11m ago
you did an amazing job
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
aww thank you but don’t compare yourself!!! it takes a lot of time and practice!! i bar all shift every shift pretty much, i promise you it will come with time ❤️ working night shifts really helped me improve, there’s usually plenty of time to practice!
kingbirbiii 2 points 11m ago
ahdiejdiss omfgkdkdjd s ur so sweet this made my day during my sunday mornin shift 😭😭😭
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
awww of course 🥺 i am glad i could help ! sunday morning shifts are the absolute worst
Ok-Start-6768 3 points 11m ago
Literally how are you making so many 😭😭😭I’ve worked there two years and have probably made like 10 in total and half of those were during my training LMFAO
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
i just make them for fun sometimes teehee
but i also work early morning shifts on weekends (usually openings) and we get way more orders of plain coffees/cappuccinos/flat whites/plain lattes and stuff like that before peak hits
but i also work early morning shifts on weekends (usually openings) and we get way more orders of plain coffees/cappuccinos/flat whites/plain lattes and stuff like that before peak hits
Ok-Start-6768 2 points 11m ago
I feel that. I make a bunch of tall hot chocolates just to practice my latte art lol
Wonderful-Put-5972 3 points 11m ago
And you'll find that if you pause after pouring about an inch, encircling the espresso, it'll settle those bubbles.
Wonderful-Put-5972 3 points 11m ago
Yeah...practice and have confidence in yourself! That different grip will help a lot with manoeuvring the pitcher to make latte art. Honestly, you're doing great.
jcatboy 2 points 11m ago
that second one 🥵🥵🥵
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
thank you🥰
Educational_Fly_691 2 points 11m ago
looks like a butthole, so i’d say pretty good.
The_Septic_Shock 2 points 11m ago
Super good flat whites! Contrast, good foam! Tip the pitcher more, pull straight up and through, then you'll get that heart art! ❤
diphenhydranautical [OP] 2 points 11m ago
thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement :D
PartyAnything3408 2 points 11m ago
i steam for a second longer and pour painfully slow and you’ll end up with a thicker and bigger dot !
diphenhydranautical [OP] 5 points 11m ago
is the dot supposed to be bigger? i was trained to make it pretty small but my trainer is notorious for not knowing wtf they are doing lmfao
PartyAnything3408 2 points 11m ago
i usually make it a little bigger like the size of a dime maybe. usually gets my ssv or other baristas to take pictues
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
word, thank you!
23WindyCity33 2 points 11m ago
Second one is really good
infiknightk 1 points 11m ago
Quick question why do me make a dot I asked a lot of partners they all had their different answers does anyone here know the definite answer
[deleted] 1 points 11m ago
Got the dot on point.
I remember they were shocked in training when I nailed my flat white.
I remember they were shocked in training when I nailed my flat white.
Ok-Start-6768 1 points 11m ago
they look good. But I can tell your milks not being steamed correctly. If there’s a bunch of bubbles in the milk try tapping and swirling the pitcher. Also try watching some videos of milk steaming, you want to get micro bubbles and the milk should look like silk (idk that’s just how I’ve heard it described idk a better word) that’s how people do latte art and how to get better control over your flat whites
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
i’ve been watching some youtube videos, it has helped for sure! i only had two training shifts on bar, and my trainer was…not the best…so i’ve mostly had to teach myself. it is hard for my brain to transfer the skills when i’m not watching it as i’m doing it though … unfortunately i don’t have an espresso machine at home so work is my only opportunity to practice, and i don’t have time to sit down and practice along with a video at work 😔 once i can afford it i really want to get a machine of my own so i can really learn what i’m doing!!
i did post some pics of my milk as well if you have any helpful critiques for that , i would greatly appreciate any feedback if you feel inclined! :D thank you!
i did post some pics of my milk as well if you have any helpful critiques for that , i would greatly appreciate any feedback if you feel inclined! :D thank you!
budsandrainbowsss 1 points 11m ago
I would follow previous advice posted about grooming your milk but if all else fails TAP THE CUP lol
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
i posted some milk pics from today too!
MoonTickles -9 points 11m ago
No good
diphenhydranautical [OP] 1 points 11m ago
thanks
tchaikovskysdad -1 points 11m ago
Pretty spotty, if you ask me
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