In late August 2021, the Simplemost website published an article titled "Starbucks black apron and green apron have different meanings."

"Customers may see that the apron worn by the Starbucks barista is different from the standard green because the uniform apron of Starbucks has a specific color system," Simplemost reports. "Each color represents the special characteristics of the barista or store, seasonal changes, or the level of training the barista has achieved."

Most Starbucks baristas wear green aprons. But according to an article published on its blog "Starbucks Stories and News", the company explained that employees who have completed the Starbucks Coffee Master Training Program will wear black aprons after passing the written and taste tests:

For more than ten years, Starbucks partners have been certified as coffee masters after completing coursework and exploring Starbucks coffee. They study the core coffees of Starbucks, such as French roast and Parker Plaza® roast, as well as the rare Starbucks Reserve® coffee. After passing the written test and taste test, the coffee master course recognizes their knowledge and skills through a specially designated black apron.

The Starbucks blog further described other apron colors and their meanings, including red, orange, and purple:

In the early 1990s, Starbucks introduced the black apron as a special name for its coffee knowledge certification partners, which later became the current partner coffee master program. In 1997, Starbucks' first batch of red holiday cups came out, and each store (there were about 1,400 at the time) received two red aprons for partners to taste Christmas mixed drinks or store merchandise. Over the years, aprons have become a way to celebrate events and milestones and recognize the contributions of partners. A special embroidered apron with the American flag pays tribute to veterans and military spouses, and graduates of the Starbucks University Achievement Program will receive a green apron embroidered with plasterboard. In a Malaysian store dedicated to providing employment opportunities for deaf partners, a barista wore an apron embroidered with the word "Starbucks" in sign language.

Over the years, colorful changes have also continued to emerge, such as the special orange apron designed by the Netherlands to celebrate King’s Day. Others include the light blue apron used to launch Frappuccino Happy Hour and the rare purple apron designed for the barista champion.

"This is why some Starbucks baristas wear black aprons." Simplemost, August 31, 2021, https://www.simplemost.com/starbucks-black-aprons-have-different-meaning/.

"Starbucks coffee masters share their passion for coffee." Starbucks stories and news, May 28, 2015, https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-coffee-masters-share-passion-for-coffee /.

"The story behind Starbucks' iconic green apron." Starbucks Stories and News, July 21, 2017, https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/story-behind-starbucks-iconic-green-apron/.

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