Chapter 12 Recipes and Work Plans
251
that are not fermented. When brewed, green teas are a greenish-yellow color. Oolong
teas are made from partially fermented tea leaves. The color and fl avor of brewed
oolong teas fall between those of black and green teas. White teas are made from tea
leaves that are gathered before they have fully opened. They are not fermented and
produce a brew with a pale color and delicate fl avor. All four varieties of tea are avail-
able decaffeinated.
Other Forms of Tea
Tea is available in instant form. Instant teas may be sweetened and fl avored. They
can be dissolved in cold or freshly boiled water.
Tea can be fl avored. Spices like cinnamon, herbs like mint, and fl oral fragrances
like jasmine are popular fl avorings.
Herbal teas are made from a variety of plants. They come in many interesting
fl avors and they do not contain caffeine. Fennel seeds, chamomile fl owers, ginger root,
and blackberry leaves are just a few of the ingredients commonly found in herbal teas.
Some people have allergic reactions to some of the plants used in herbal teas.
When purchasing herbal teas, choose commercial brands. Avoid herbal mixtures that
claim to have special health or medicinal properties.
Preparing Tea
You can purchase tea in fi lter paper teabags or in loose form. To prepare either form
of tea, begin by rinsing a clean teapot or cup with boiling water to preheat it. Place a
teabag or loose tea in the preheated pot or cup. (Place loose tea directly in the bottom
of the pot or cup, in a cheesecloth bag, or in a tea ball. A tea ball is a perforated ball
made of silver or stainless steel.) Then pour freshly boiled water over the tea. Allow the
tea to steep two to six minutes, until it reaches the desired strength. Remove the tea
leaves from the pot before serving. If the tea leaves stay in contact with the water too
long, the tea can become bitter. Serve cream, sugar, and lemon with tea.
Prepare iced tea by fi rst making strong hot tea. If desired, dissolve honey or sugar
in the tea. Then pour the tea over ice and stir until chilled. Making the hot tea stronger
than you usually drink it will keep the ice from diluting the iced tea too much.
Barista
Baristas do all the
tasks involved with
waiting on customers
in a coffeehouse. They
weigh, grind, and pack
coffee. They prepare and
serve coffee beverages and other menu items. Baristas
order and stock supplies. They also clean work areas
and equipment.
Successful baristas are friendly, helpful, and have
good listening skills for accurately taking customer
orders. They use speaking skills to describe menu
items to customers. Baristas use math skills to make
change and balance cash drawers. They need to be able
to work as members of a team as they relay orders to
other employees for preparation. Baristas must keep
up with a fast-paced work environment when there is
a rush of customers. They must see what needs to be
done and take the initiative to do it.
Barista is an entry-level job. However, many
coffeehouses prefer to hire people with high school
diplomas. A background in foodservice is helpful but
not required. Baristas will learn how to perform most
tasks from coworkers and training manuals. In time,
baristas may move into jobs as coffeehouse supervisors
or managers. Their skills will also help them fi nd work
in other areas of the hospitality industry.
E X P L O R I N G E X P L O R I N G C A R E E R S C A R E E R S