Barista Trainer Tip - Use Your Scale

Be more accurate - use a scale! Over the past few years, we’ve been finding that scales have become increasingly useful in our cafes. A small scale can do a lot in terms of reducing waste and improving drink quality. A few examples…

* Weigh your espresso dose. Weighing your espresso is a great way to not only reduce wasted grounds, but also to learn accurate dosing. When baristas taste shots pulled using varying espresso weights, they’ll start to appreciate the difference in flavor from 17 to 19 to 21 grams of coffee. Visually those amounts might look very similar, but with a scale a barista can zero in on a better-tasting espresso.

* Weigh your drinks. Too much foam? Not enough? A scale can make this an objective standard in your café, and allow you to find the perfect ratio of milk to foam. Figure out the right amount of foam for a given drink/size, and then record its weight (taking into consideration the weight of the cup used). Make this number a target for all of your baristas!

* Consistency. Whether you’re weighing doses or drinks, a digital scale is a quick and objective way to test a barista’s consistency. Sure, your barista may be able to hit the weight target - but can they repeat that success ten times in a row? If you’re interested, give our Sales Support a call and ask about the Primo Digital Scale. It may be one of the best investments under $30 you can make!