Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Bowling or ballroom dancingWhether it's learning Spanish or taking a tour of the capital, participants in the Moscow Longevity project can find something to suit every taste. Hundreds of activities are available, and Moscow Longevity centers are equipped with dance halls, computer rooms, billiard rooms, and even real kitchens where older Muscovites learn to cook. unusual dishesRecently, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled these spaces—the project launched an educational course. Barista SchoolClasses are taught by experts from the Moscow Barista School at 11 flagship Moscow Longevity centers. A mos.ru correspondent visited one of them and learned how the project participants are mastering the basics of their new profession and why they are developing their own formula for the perfect coffee.
Pour-over, Turk and correct grinding
On Fridays at 6:00 PM, "Barista School" classes are held at the Moscow Longevity Center in Moskvorechye-Saburovo. It's located in a one-story building with a glowing turquoise sign in the courtyard of a residential complex on Kashirsky Proyezd (Building 25, Block 3).
The spacious hallway leads into corridors lined with classrooms. Each offers its own creative space. Behind one of the glass doors—in the lecture hall—a class is already in progress. All "Barista School" meetings begin with theory, so, seated in front of a large screen, the "Moscow Longevity" participants listen attentively to the instructor.
"Coffee making is a whole industry today. It's rapidly developing and becoming increasingly popular in many countries, including Russia. Trends are emerging that make coffee incredibly diverse. It can be sour, sweet, tart, bitter—there's something for every taste. Therefore, the importance of our course is that each participant can try their hand at being a barista and discover which drink and preparation method suits them best," notes Roman Lungu, a trainer at the Barista School on the Moscow Longevity project.
The course consists of five sessions, each dedicated to a specific topic. During the first sessions, participants learned about coffee varieties and roasting methods, learned how to grind beans, and brew coffee using various tools. They began with a cezve (a Turkish coffee pot)—a small jug with a narrow spout and a long handle. Coffee is brewed in it on the stovetop. This method requires an ultra-fine, almost powder-like grind. This grind is not filtered, giving the coffee a velvety texture and a distinct flavor.
Participants also tried preparing their favorite drink using a geyser coffee maker. This device resembles a small teapot. It forces hot water through coffee powder from the bottom up, reminiscent of a geyser. The result is a strong drink similar to espresso.
Today, participants will learn about another method of brewing coffee: pour-over.
"A pour-over uses a small plastic funnel, which allows you to prepare ground coffee in about 5-10 minutes. It's best to use slightly cool water—around 90-95 degrees Celsius. The grind should be medium, similar to sea salt," the trainer emphasizes.
The secret to perfect coffee, according to Roman Lungu, is developing your own unique flavor formula. "I always say: the most delicious coffee is the one you personally like. You can buy beans and grind them, or buy pre-ground coffee, you can make it in a Turkish coffee pot or a coffee machine. You can cool it, warm it up, or dilute it with milk. There are many options, and each can be perfect in its own way," adds the mos.ru source.
The most subtle taste
Having mastered the theory, the participants move on to practical training. To do this, they move from the lecture hall to the culinary studio. It's equipped with a kitchen with a stove, sink, microwave, and drawers full of dishes. Grabbing a funnel, a paper filter, a French press—a small teapot with a strainer—and ground beans, Roman Lungu begins cooking. The aroma of coffee immediately fills the space.
"Place a paper filter in the funnel and wet it with water. Drain the water. This is an important step; it will affect the flavor. Then place the funnel on the French press, add ground coffee, and pour in the water from the kettle in a clockwise circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward, like a spiral. Then wait for the water to pour through the coffee," explains Roman Lungu.
He removes the funnel and gently stirs the drink. This fleeting action reveals another barista secret. This allows the coffee to be oxygenated and tastes better.
Having noted down all the trainer's tips, the students of the "Barista School" are also trying to prepare a drink using a funnel. Among them is 69-year-old "Moscow Longevity" participant Lyudmila Savelyeva.
"I associate coffee with warmth, especially in winter. You run home and imagine drinking a cup with a couple of pieces of dark chocolate. I used to dilute my coffee with milk, but now I prefer adding lemon. Sometimes I also add saffron or star anise. And I brew the coffee in a Turkish coffee pot," says Lyudmila Savelyeva.
Making coffee at home, she began to apply everything she learned in the course: she figured out which type of coffee she liked best and learned how to grind beans properly. The classes also helped her find like-minded people.
"We have a special atmosphere at Barista School: warm and friendly. Everyone finds it interesting. I think people here even feel younger—their eyes sparkle so much. I'm grateful to the project for such opportunities. I've been participating for six years and have already learned a lot. In addition to the coffee-making course, I'm now also trying my hand at drawing," emphasizes Lyudmila Savelyeva.
The secret to perfect foam
After completing the preparation and enjoying the hot drink, participants move on to the next part of the lesson. Using a French press, they learn how to create the perfect foam. To do this, they pour milk into a saucepan and place it on the stove.
"It's important that the milk doesn't boil. Its temperature should be around 50-55 degrees Celsius. You can use a thermometer to measure this, or just watch closely: if the milk starts steaming, it's time to remove it from the stove," notes Roman Lungu.
He pours milk from a saucepan into a French press and, moving the strainer up and then down, froths it until all the bubbles disappear. The ideal foam, the instructor believes, should resemble a thick cloud; then it will not only enhance the drink's flavor but also allow you to paint designs on it.
"Drawing on coffee is called latte art: from the Italian latte, meaning "milk," and arte, meaning "art." It's a creative process that requires special skills. However, you don't have to be an artist to master the simplest elements. For example, to draw a heart on the drink, a pitcher—a metal jug with a spout—will help us. The spout allows us to create the desired design, practically acting as a pencil," says Roman Lungu.
He pours milk into a cup, moving the pitcher first from right to left, then up and down, until a heart-shaped design appears on the soft foam. Zoya Sokolova, a participant in the "Barista School," is about to try her hand at latte art. At 64, she's certain that you can learn something new at any age.
"As soon as I found out the course was open, I signed up right away. I love coffee and even asked my husband for a coffee machine, but choosing the right one proved difficult. So I came to learn the basics and ended up with even more useful information than I expected. It turned out to be important not only to brew coffee properly but also to know the right grind, roast, country of origin, and even the right proportions. To calculate them correctly, I even bought a special scale," says Zoya Sokolova.
She writes down all the information from her classes in a notebook, and when she gets home, she tries to put this knowledge into practice. "Now I can not only make coffee but also draw on the foam. It's great that Moscow Longevity offers such courses. They allow everyone to find something they enjoy, get out of the house more often, and learn something new," Zoya Sokolova emphasizes.
Following training at the "Barista School," experts will select the best senior graduates. They will have the opportunity to work shifts at existing coffee shops across the capital and put their skills to practical use.
Women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over are invited to join the Moscow Longevity project. You can sign up for classes at mos.ru portal, at the My Documents government services centers or by contacting any center Moscow Longevity.
Participants of Moscow Longevity see work as an opportunity for self-developmentYou can now log in to attend Moscow Longevity classes using the My ID app.Participants of the Moscow Longevity program can study art therapy and neural networks at Moscow universities.
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.