Banging coffee on benchtop

[Guest Close amey01]

Sorry if this has been covered, but I have no idea what to search for!

My favourite coffee shop has a new barista and he keeps banging the milk on the benchtop. Once hes poured the coffee, he bangs the cup.

It really annoys me, but before I blow my top, I thought Id ask if there was a reason he is doing this?

[bolb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bolb]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

The milk jug or the actual cup?
Banging the milk jug will help with the removal of larger bubbles.

[Guest Close amey01]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

The milk jug or the actual cup?

The milk jug, then the actual cup - several times!

[maheel Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maheel]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

tell him to stop doing it

[beanflying Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close beanflying]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

Maybe he is no good at making microfoam and is making milkshake bubbles

Sometimes if you fluff the initial part of the steaming you can get some big bubbles on the surface of the milk after steaming so as above the hitting the jug on the bench is needed or a good idea to pop them and make the pour run better.

Banging the cup is sounds like a habit or a cry for look at me look at me I am the Barista  :

[fatboy_1999 Señor Ding Dong Find all posts View Profile Close fatboy_1999]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

Ask him why he is doing it!
Get a conversation going.

As mentioned above, the jug is often done to remove larger bubbles (I do this myself).

On occassion, I have also tapped the cup once or twice when using very fresh and bubbly coffee to settle bubbles in the crema.

But rather than come up with theories, just ask him.

Brett.

[Alex_Thomson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex_Thomson]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

I dont think it has anything to do with "look at me Im a barista" .. Dont be so quick to shoot people down.

[cuppacoffee Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cuppacoffee]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

I dont think it has anything to do with "look at me Im a barista" .. Dont be so quick to shoot people down.  

Agree!

If the coffee is very fresh the crema will contain big bubbles - knocking the cup helps dissipate this.

As fof the milk in the jug, the occasional large bubble forms when youre making 100+ a day, and imo, knocking it out is better than leaving it in!

[wholeshotalove Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholeshotalove]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

The dude hasnt quite mastered his milk, and yes the banging is to remove any big bubbles he has in the milk, also, he is likely banging the cup on the bench to do the same thing. Tell him to drop by the forum and get some tips! ;D

[fatboy_1999 Señor Ding Dong Find all posts View Profile Close fatboy_1999]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

The OP never told us if the coffee was good/bad or indifferent.

I still maintain that we have no idea WHY he is doing it, so perhaps judging the barista is somewhat premature.

And the OP seems to have lost interest anyhow.

[Alex_Thomson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex_Thomson]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

Exactly! When one is making coffees for a 170+ seat cafe, the odd bubble on top of the jug can happen!

[melbuurn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close melbuurn]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

this is quite simple, sometimes there are microbubbles in the milk after the pour and this simple "pops" those bubbles

[jaysonleow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaysonleow]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

I am guilty of banging the milk jug against the counter before pouring, and it is to elminate any larger bubbles,
which isnt to say my milk has been textured poorly!

Sometimes I find that through swirling the milk jug, an odd larger bubble might form, so the banging just removes it.

[Rocky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rocky]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

Banging the Jug (and the cup) chases away the evil spirits that mess up your latte art. If you have a closer look you will see that his lips are moving as he murmurs various protective incantations under his breath. I thought everyone did this.

[jaysonleow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaysonleow]

Re: Banging coffee on benchtop

Banging the Jug (and the cup) chases away the evil spirits that mess up your latte art.  If you have a closer look you will see that his lips are moving as he murmurs various protective incantations under his breath.  I thought everyone did this.

Dont even bother trying to attempt latte art without those incantations; its futile.