Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee. It is made from the same beans as regular coffee but is stronger, thicker, and higher in caffeine. It's also known as the base for many coffee drinks, such as cappuccino, lattes, and cortado.
Espresso is served in small cups called demitase, and a one servig of espresso is called a shot.
Espresso contains a significant amount of caffeine. Regular coffee contains between 5 to 8 mg of caffeine per gram. Espresso contains between 10 to 20 mg of caffeine per gram. A double espresso shot contains 100 to 150 mg of caffeine. A regular cup of coffee usually has 100 mg of caffeine. But comparatively, espresso is drink five times smaller than a regular cup of drip coffee.
The word espresso can refer to the brewing method, or to the result of the brewing, the coffee. So if someone asks: "What brewing method did you use for this strong coffee?" The answer will be: "espresso". Or if someone asks: "What coffee is this?" The answer will be: "espresso."
Espresso is special among other brewing methods, because it uses pressure during extraction.The added pressure chages the flavor profile of the final cup making it easy to distinguish among other coffees.
Espresso Use
Espresso is especially loved in its home country of Italy, where it is enjoyed plain, or with a little sugar. Espresso is served in specially made espresso cups, called demitasse cups. A demitasse can hold from one up to three ounces of coffee.
In Itally espresso is served as a one shot drink for a quick and intense pick-me-up. Many times espresso can is served as a two-ounce drink - a double shot. Some coffee shops only serve double shots, or doppio, to keep the quality and flavor consistent.
Espresso can also be brewed into a "lungo" or long shot using the same amount of ground coffee but twice the amount of water. Espresso is drunk throughout the day but is especially popular in the morning and after a meal.
Espresso is also used to make most popular coffee shop espresso drinks:
- Americano: A shot of espresso topped with hot water.
- Latte: Espresso topped with a generous amount of steamed milk.
- Cappuccino: Espresso topped with a small amout of milk, both steamed and frothed.
What Is Espresso Crema
The most distinctive feature of an espresso is crema. Whithout crema an espresso shot is not quite the same.
“Crema” is the lighter colored layer on top of your shot. Crema, or the absence of it, can indicate a few things:
- If the coffee beans are freshly roasted and freshly ground,
- If the coffee is a good quality,
- If the coffee was prepared properly.
A beautiful crema is part of what makes espresso such a delightful sensory experience, but it is possible to have a great espresso shot without a beautiful crema.
Coffee experts suggest that great espresso should be defined by a great espresso flavor, and while a great crema often indicates a great flavor, that’s not always the case.
Instead of a Conclusion
If you tasted espresso and you didn't like it, just keep an open mind about it, and try it again. People who started to drink this wonderfull beverage never looked back. Drip coffee and French press are just not as good as espresso.
If you tasted it and you liked it, all hope is lost for you, no other brewing method will compare to espresso. Just accept and buy an espresso machine. Or buy it from the coffee shop. Whatever.