“The Coffee Industry Urgently Needs Young Talent;
Becoming a Professional Barista Requires Practice, Not Just Natural Ability”
says Chester Tam, Founder of Ideaology Coffee
Known as the “Coffee God,” Chester Tam is the first barista in the Greater China region to be recognized by the European Specialty Coffee Association. He is also the founder of the Ideaology Coffee chain. Chester is passionate about promoting specialty coffee culture. Alongside managing his shops, he teaches barista training courses to help more people understand and develop a love for coffee.
Chester highlights the critical need for young people to enter the coffee industry, but he emphasizes the importance of first learning how to properly taste coffee, as this knowledge is essential for their future roles. “For instance, when roasting beans, you need to discern the different flavors, and a barista must be able to recognize the taste of coffee. Understanding coffee is crucial. Whenever someone new joins the industry, I advise them to drink more coffee and get familiar with the operations of the coffee shop; I believe that’s more important.”
When asked whether becoming a professional barista requires an innate sensitivity to taste and smell, Chester clarifies that most baristas, including himself, do not rely solely on talent. Instead, they develop their memory of coffee flavors through extensive tasting, hard work, and continuous learning. “While there are baristas who have a natural sensitivity to taste and smell, they are quite rare. If you feel you lack talent, you can absolutely learn through dedication. If others drink three cups a day, aim to drink ten, and work hard to remember the flavors. Coffee has a wide range of flavors that require memorization, and you need to drink more to truly understand them. Professionalism is key. I often ask, ‘What does Ethiopian coffee taste like? How many cups have you smelled? Two cups? That’s definitely not enough. If you’ve smelled a thousand cups, then I believe you genuinely understand Ethiopian coffee beans.'”
