We here at Alterra love our baristas would like to let you know a little more about the men and women behind the espresso machines! And now it is our pleasure to introduce the second in a series of “Meet your baristas” articles. Meet R.J. Rabe!

Find him at: Alterra Foundry café

Alterra Barista since: August ‘06

Espresso Drink of Choice: Two single shots
[ed. note: a split double shot is a very good, and very interesting choice]

How are your Espresso Toro shots tasting? “Crisp, smooth throughout, with notes of citrus in the finish.”

What’s your favorite Alterra Coffee right now and how do you brew it? “Toss up between Kenya AA Karindundu and Ethiopia Yirgacheffe brewed in a french press. Kenya is my all-time favorite.”

What’s some good barista advice for the uninitiated? “Never assume you know too much, or are on top of your game. Being overly confident to some extent inhibits your ability to learn. Something will stump you and make you humble. Ability to learn and absorb will make you a better barista.”

Name a great MKE experience: “Discovering something you have walked by 1000 times and never noticed, having that epiphany moment where you realize how beautiful this thing is that you see everyday. The Marsupial Bridge is my recent example of something I’ve been overlooking.”

Name one of your favorite customer experiences: “Yesterday, actually. I have a regular customer who comes in, and she has had a knit cozy for cups, and her son has a lovely knit hat. She got a big kick out of my interest, and we had a good laugh about the color scheme and pattern for my new coffee cup cozy.”