United Baristas Audio Articles

Tasting notes are simultaneously marketing copy to encourage sales, a promise to the consumer and a translation of a sensory experience into a narrative. Good tasting notes typically combine factual information, accurate descriptors combined and evocative descriptions.You can download the latest version of the Coffee Tasting Sheet at https://unitedbaristas.com/coffee-tasting/#assessment-sheet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coffee tasting notes are broken because the SCA's Flavour Wheel is incoherent. We need a new framework that's accurate, intuitive and grounded in how people actually perceive flavour.Tasting notes should help coffee drinkers identify beans and brews they like.Unfortunately, flavour descriptions often confuse consumers more than they help. Poor quality tasting notes give the impression that tasting coffee is difficult, subjective or even a hoax. This is an unpardonable position for an industry that defines itself on the basis of flavour.United Baristas wants to kickstart a community-wide conversation on how we can better communicate coffee's distinctive flavours. Better tasting notes are fundamental for the industry's viable future. More accurate communication can empower consumers and support specialty coffee's price premium.This is the first in a series of three articles equipping baristas to write better tasting notes. Explore more at https://unitedbaristas.com/article-series/coffee-tasting-framework/Plus start using the coffee tasting tools at https://unitedbaristas.com/coffee-tasting/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Specialty coffee has made notable progress reducing customers' sugar intake. That's good news for business, our customers and the planet. The new year is an opportune moment to refine the role of added sugar in your business. So, here's three ideas to further reduce your customers' sugar consumption in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50 years on, specialty coffee's founding ambitions have been realised. As the industry identifies new goals, it stands at a crossroads. Better market data would illuminate the path forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final article of this mini-series we share reflections from people that have scaled specialty coffee chains, plus add some ideas of our own.View the full mini-series at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/series/specialty-coffee-chains/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The profitability chasm starts when headquarters' costs become greater than the profit generated by the shops. Many operators experience the edge of the chasm at three or four sites.This audio article is part of a mini-series exploring why specialty coffee chains fail. View the fill series: https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/series/specialty-coffee-chains/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a new mini-series exploring why specialty chains keep failing, we start by identifying the hurdles that must be surmounted when expanding from one shop to two.View the full mini-series athttps://unitedbaristas.com/articles/series/specialty-coffee-chains/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science, industry research and carbon calculators agree that coffee production is a key cause of coffee's carbon footprint. However, the carbon footprint of green coffee production varies depending on the specific farming and production methods. Some studies calculate emissions to be as low as 0.5 Kg per kilogram of green coffee at milling. Other researchers estimate the carbon footprint of green coffee to be as high as 12 Kg per kilogram.With such a large range, how can coffee businesses identify an accurate figure to estimate their carbon footprint? This article explains that there is currently no good way to pick a figure. Plus, the carbon models require updating, so any figure you choose is likely to be wrong. At present the uncertainty is so great that, for most coffee businesses, calculating your green's carbon footprint is a fool's errand. There are, however, a number of workarounds. We explain where the science is at, what scientists are current doing to improve the accuracy of carbon calculators and how you can start cutting your carbon footprint now. This article was originally published on United Baristas. You can read the full article and view the references at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/green-coffee-carbon-calculators-are-wildly-inaccurate/And how are you cutting your coffee's footprint? There's many things you can do from crop to cup. Feel free to drop us a line and tell us what you're doing, United Baristas is on all the usual channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest United Baristas managing people and building teams newsletter we look at the skills required to help the people on your team progress from the shop floor to taking on management responsibility – whether that's better managing themselves on the job, or beginning to manage their colleagues, a project or even a business unit.These four steps are based on Zarvana's Critical Thinking Roadmaphttps://www.zarvana.com/how-to-building-your-teams-critical-thinking-skills/ If you found these tips useful, make sure you subscribe to our managing people and building teams newsletter. Every other month you'll get a tip specifically for coffee people whose job it is to manage other coffee people. https://unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/ Finally, we'll be exploring topics like this at Total Coffee 2023, a new talks programme at Caffè Culture curated by United Baristas. Find out more and get your free ticket at https://unitedbaristas.com/events/total-coffee/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we announce the first sessions of our new talks programme, Total Coffee. We're bringing together a range of practitioners, experts and industry leaders to empower coffee people.Join us at any of the dozen sessions taking place at Cafè Culture this October for powerful insights plus actionable ideas.You can find out more about Total Coffee and register:• unitedbaristas.com/events/total-coffee • caffecultureshow.comWe look forward to seeing you at Total Coffee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When workplace disagreements arise, it's tempting to smooth things over or rush to compromise. But strong opinions – when harnessed – can lead to better decision-making. Plus, disagreements are a sign that people care.This audio article is from our latest Managing People & Building Teams newsletter, especially for coffee people who manage other coffee people. Subscribe and get a tip every other month at unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/managing-people-building-teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first managing people and building teams for 2023, we explore how company culture is a practical tool that explains what gets prioritised, how things get done and what the rewards and penalties are.Many owners and managers have attempted to delegate the creation and maintenance of their company culture to shop managers or HR. We explain why this approach isn't working – and what you can do about it.Subscribers get more information and resources to help them build their company culture in 2023. Subscribe at https://unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/managing-people-building-teams/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can offset a tonne of carbon dioxide more easily than buying a bag of coffee. Offsetting websites are online shops, it costs just £9 to offset a tonne of CO2e. In this episode we explore why offsetting is fraught with challenge and absolutely not a substitute for carbon reduction.You can read the original article, and view the relevant references, at unitedbaristas.com/articles/think-pieces/offsetting-is-for-wimps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start a new series by explaining how coffee's scale, reach and connections enable us to play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The new series explores how we can make specialty coffee more sustainable.You can read the original article on United Baristas https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/how-can-we-make-specialty-coffee-more-sustainable/and if you would like to view the video of Hans Rosling explaining the correlation between human health and income click here.What's your experience of sustainability? Let United Baristas know, we're on all the usual channels. And if you found this information useful, make sure you share it with someone else who will benefit too.You can find more resources for baristas and coffee businesses on unitedbaristas.com. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Brexit debate was hotter than a steam boiler. Now, six years after the referendum, the conversation has cooled. And, like when cupping coffee, that makes it easier to grade. United Baristas explores what Brexit has served up to the coffee community.We've spoken with dozens of people including importers, business owners, baristas and brokers. There was a range of political opinion, but when it comes to the impacts and repercussions there was much in common.You can read the full article at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/opportunities-and-challenges-for-coffee-after-brexit/ and do let us know your experience of Brexit.And if you found this information useful, make sure you share it with someone else who will benefit too.You can find more resources for baristas and coffee businesses at https://unitedbaristas.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

United Baristas explores why increasing coffee cup prices is necessary with current rising costs. And explains how to successfully implement a price rise in your coffee shop.We refer to several previous articles in this audio article. You can read them on United Baristas:One Size Doesn't Fit All - on segmenting coffee businesses by size and focusInsights from the Iron Triangle - exploring why coffee shops can only pick two of fast, quality and cheapUnited Baristas also explained to baristas earlier in the year that they should support price increases. You can read the article here and find the original audio article in our feed.There are more articles on pricing as part of our Coffee Shop Viability series. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

United Baristas starts a new series exploring the carbon footprint of coffee businesses. We want to equip the industry to reduce its impacts and build a more sustainable future.Many of the coffee businesses in our community are retail coffee businesses, such as coffee shops, coffee bars and cafés. You can read more about how we define and segment these businesses in our recent article One Size Doesn't Fit All.We need to work these things out if we're going to play our role in tackling climate change, protecting the future of the coffee industry and building viable and sustainable businesses. This series is to help the industry get started. Join us to follow the journey to learn what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, and please do share your ideas, research and progress with us. We'll help disseminate information to a broader audience. Individually we might be small, but United Baristas believes together we can achieve great things.You read the original version of this article at Here's how coffee businesses can tackle climate change.Plus sign up to our newsletter at Coffee's Carbon Footprint newsletter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We've introduced a completely new version of the Coffee Events Calendar to United Baristas. It's now easier to find the events you want to attend, more straightforward to add your coffee event and much better looking. Here's the upcoming events.Basic event listings on the Coffee Events Calendar are free thanks to the support of Midnight Oil. You can discover a variety of drink recipes or create your own.There are so many great events happing across the coffee community and the team at United Baristas is enjoying seeing so many of you face-to-face again. We hope to meet you at events this year. You can find events you want to attend on the Coffee Events Calendar. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have updated the payment escrow service on United Baristas Market to Trustshare.You can learn more about Trustshare on their website and learn more about buying and selling safely on United Baristas Market.We are delighted that so many coffee people and businesses find United Baristas Market useful and want to thank you for being a part of our journey.Make sure you update your existing listings to make the most of these new functions. And we look forward to helping more people buy and sell anything, coffee related.View the latest items for sale. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In recent months we've made many improvements to United Baristas Market. As phase I comes to an end, here's what you need to know. You can read more about phase I updates to United Baristas Market on United Baristas News and get information on specific changes to our services on United Baristas Updates.Baristas and coffee businesses use United Baristas Market to buy and sell new, used and refurbished coffee equipment, businesses, coffee, merchandise – in fact anything coffee related! You can view the latest items for sale https://market.unitedbaristas.com/list/market/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This latest audio article from United Baristas explores the updated use class regime and the opportunities it creates for coffee businesses.Westminster recently introduced changes to planning with the express intent of permitting a greater range of commerical propositions on the High Street. It creates new opportunities for coffee businesses.You can read the full article and view a summary of the use class changes at: https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/2022/03/a-slight-change-of-plans/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As United Baristas grows, coffee people and businesses use our services in increasingly different ways. We've had to create ways to segment coffee businesses to identify their needs and serve them better. Using them can help you too.Originally published in our Insights newsletter, we're releasing this Audio Article version as some of our forthcoming articles build upon these concepts.You can subscribe to get other exclusive content and actionable ideas in our Insights newsletter https://unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/insights/.And if you want to see some of the shops talked about in this article, visit https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/2022/03/one-size-doesnt-fit-all/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Working in coffee is fulfilling, but not without challenge.Everyday essentials are becoming more expensive. Your electricity and gas bills are going up, food costs are rising and most things you buy (from phones to pizza) will cost more too.This year, you'll need a pay rise. Learn why prices are going up and get five tips to talk about pay rises with your boss in our new Newsletter exploring life and work in coffee. Subscribe for exclusive subscriber-only content at https://unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/life-work-careers/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many coffee people are wondering how to better manage their team this year. This audio article contains ideas based on Frederick Herzberg's research and his article in Harvard Business Review applied to coffee managers working in 2022's unique context. We want to help coffee people managers even better manage their teams this year.If you find this interesting, subscribe to our new newsletter specifically for coffee people managers. Called Managing People and Building Teams it explores one idea every second month. Each newsletter contains new and exclusive subscriber-only content and is specifically for people who manage coffee people.You can find out more and subscribe at https://unitedbaristas.com/newsletters/managing-people-building-teams/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It might have been a good year for climate change negotiations, but in 2021 the world still emitted record levels of greenhouse gases.In this latest article United Baristas plots UK temperature increases since 1900. And shows the world is running out of headroom to limit temperature increases to peak at no more than 1.5 degrees.The chart and the original article are available at: https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/2022/01/the-world-is-getting-warmer-graphic-evidence/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

People drink coffee for many reasons: the aroma, the flavours, the social experience and, of course, the caffeine kick. For baristas, balancing their energy and coffee consumption with work demands is essential for a long and viable career. Here's the essential information you need to know for better coffee drinking.You can read the full article on United Baristas at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/barista-life/2021/09/coffee-for-shits-and-giggles-what-baristas-need-to-know-about-their-caffeine-habit/ And let us know how caffeine effects you – we''re on all the usual channels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The coffee industry is both a cause of carbon emissions and impacted by climate change. United Baristas analysis shows how we can get better environmental outcomes and enhance shop viability by updating our coffee menu pricing. This is an ideal moment to rethink our menu's pricing structure. So, let's look at costs and impacts associated with milks.You can read the full article and references at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/2021/08/is-the-price-right-lets-make-the-alt-milk-surcharge-fit-for-purpose-in-2021/ And do let us know when you update your menu pricing, we love to see what you're doing. We're on all the usual social channels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We understand that finding the right person adds value to your operations, culture and profitability so we built United Baristas Jobs, the leading jobs, careers and recruitment platform for the coffee industry.This is the audio version of an article on United Baristas Jobs providing tips and guidance for coffee companies to hire great baristas. It's been both popular and useful. • Read the full version: https://jobs.unitedbaristas.com/info/for-companies/barista-recruitment/United Baristas Jobs has recruitment solutions for coffee companies of all sizes. Your can explore options for your business on our website and for a limited time United Baristas is offering free Restart Coffee job listings to help get the coffee community back to work as lockdowns lift. • https://jobs.unitedbaristas.com/info/for-companies/Got tips and experiences on hiring baristas you'd like to share, we're on all the usual channels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What a year it's been. Covid has caused chaos and wrecked havoc with many lives and livelihoods. There are many baristas and business owners who can explain just how bad things have got.As well as been a financially challenging year, it's been mentally tough because wins and losses have been arbitrary. In 2020 you could be a world-class operator with a sound business only to have found yourself on the ropes. Yet others with limited know-how and a poor financial position in February could now be creaming it. United Baristas explains why in 2021 effort will again lead to progress and taking calculated risk will again results in reward.Read the full article at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/think-pieces/2020/12/what-a-year-its-been-and-three-reasons-why-2021-will-be-much-better/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to prepare for the future in coffeeAs coronavirus continues to impact the coffee industry, Caffeina and United Baristas embark on a new series to help you get ahead in coffee.Exploring the presentAs winter lockdowns sweep Europe, Caffeina and United Baristas start a new series exploring the variety of roles that exist in the coffee industry.We want to better understand what roles exist, how people who work in these roles got their jobs, what they actually do, and to offer tips, insights and advice for coffee people looking to move into these roles either now or in the future.We're planning for the futureEach week we are interviewing interesting coffee people to gain firsthand insights into their job.Emma and Tim will also be offering practical advice on working in coffee, exploring a variety of ways to get training and experience, and trying to answer your questions.Ask us, and we'll do our best to answer or at least try and find someone who can: unitedbaristas unitedbaristas mamabearhainesCoronavirus is having a profound impact on the coffee industry and by working together we hope that this series will help coffee people to better prepare for their future and to continue to help the coffee industry restart and reinvent itself. Despite the challenges, we believe the industry's best days are ahead of us.Go behind the screensLearn more about why Emma and Tim are collaborating on this series and what we hope it can contribute to the coffee industry in this recorded Zoom call.Follow the seriesGet the audio version of this series wherever you get your podcastsSubscribe to our YouTube channel to follow the entire series. New films dropping each week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Reusable cup company KeepCup made the claim last week on Instagram that their Thermal cup model has a lower environmental impact than paper cups after eight uses. The post raised eyebrows and disapproval in private messages amongst people who know about such things. United Baristas shines a light on the life cycle assessment so you can judge claims like this for yourself and determine whether a KeepCup is right for you and your customers. This is an audio version of an article published on United Baristas. You can read the article and view references at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/think-pieces/2020/09/why-keepcup-cant-save-the-world/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We've cut our total carbon footprint by making multiple small decisions that cumulatively have had a big effect. Learn more, and find out how you can reduce your coffee's carbon footprint over the coming year.This is an audio version of an article published on United Baristas. You can read the article and view references at https://unitedbaristas.com/service-updates/2020/08/united-baristas-dramatically-cuts-its-carbon-footprint-while-achieving-record-growth/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How the coffee industry can raise the value of coffee: a starting point.This is an audio version of an article published on United Baristas. You can read the article and view references at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/insights/2017/10/not-all-coffee-is-equal/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When lockdown lifts to permit coffee shop trade, we should end the customer discount for reusable cups. Here's why, how we should use the money instead, and why this is the best moment to implement this change.This is an audio version of an article published on United Baristas. You can read the article and view references at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/think-pieces/2020/05/strengthening-the-coffee-industry-by-eliminating-the-reusable-cup-discount/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Analysis comparing wage, revenue and inflation over the past two years shows the coffee industry is paying its staff more by raising prices.This is an audio version of an article published on United Baristas. You can read the article and resources at https://unitedbaristas.com/articles/industry-briefing/2020/02/weve-made-progress-on-wages-but-theres-still-much-more-work-to-be-done/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.