Course description
This course is designed to provide students who experience barriers to education and employment with skills needed to operate commercial espresso machines and grinders to extract espresso, foam and texture milk. The focus of the course is on gaining an introductory understanding on topics relates to the world of coffee at origin while implementing health and safety practices and customer service.
Course content
Topics to be explored include:
- History of espresso and espresso preparation theory
- Operating and maintenance of commercial espresso machine and grinder
- Espresso process: grind, dose, tamp
- Pulling espresso shots
- Milk steaming
- Workspace management
- Health and safety
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a mastery-graded course.
Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Mid-point and final self-assessments
- Demonstration of skills
- Regular attendance and participation in class activities
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline/syllabus.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, a successul student will be able to:
- List and describe history of espresso and espresso preparation theory.
- Define variety of methods for brewing coffee.
- Describe coffee tools and equipment.
- Demonstrate basic maintenance of a commercial espresso machine.
- Operate a commercial coffee grinder and an espresso machine.
- Demonstrate microfoam milk texturing techniques.
- Prepare espresso drinks, coffee with a French press coffee maker, and filter coffee.
- Demonstrate the ability to define and use work-related terminology.
- Demonstrate ability to define gross/net pay, and deductions.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply workplace-related numeracy skills.
- Demonstrate the use of digital technology safely.
- Access and apply work-place information, e.g., training manual, policies, and signage.
- Demonstrate presentation skills.
- Exhibit effective communication exchanges in the workplace and in an educational setting.
- Exhibit conflict resolution techniques.
- Demonstrate active listening skills.
- Exhibit acceptable communication for both public and private situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to adhere to workplace confidentiality.
- Exhibit positive customer service practices.
Textbook materials
Relevant material will be provided throughout the course.