Espresso Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world and it comes in many different flavors and types. Espresso is one of the most popular types of coffee. The term espresso means “pressed-out” in Italian, referring to the brewing process.

What is Espresso?

Espresso coffee is a flavorful coffee beverage brewed by forcing very hot, (but not boiling) water under high pressure through coffee that has been ground to a consistency between extremely fine and powder. It originated in Italy back in the beginning of the 20th century, but it was in 1940’s that it became a beverage produced only with steam pressure. The invention of the spring piston lever machine and its subsequent commercial success changed espresso coffee into the very famous beverage that we know of today.

The Espresso Difference

People who are avid espresso drinkers know the difference between it and drip coffee. The distinct differences are that espresso has thicker consistency compared to drip coffee; it has higher amount of dissolved solids than drip coffee (by relative volume), and the most discernible difference is espresso has a deeper and richer flavor thank drip coffee. An Espresso is served by “shots” in the cup whereas drip coffee is served by cup size servings.

Espresso coffee is chemically complex and volatile, with many of its components degrading from oxidation or loss of temperature. Again, espresso connoisseurs would know the distinguishing factor of a properly brewed espresso and that it is the presence of crema. Crema is actually the reddish brown foam, which floats on top of espresso coffee. It essentially contains vegetable oils proteins, and sugars. If you prepared a properly brewed cup of espresso, you definitely would have noticed as well as strive for crema.

Espresso Flavor

As the result of high-pressure brewing process, all of the flavor composition in espresso shots are concentrated. This is why some caffeine lovers prefer one or two shots of espresso coffee instead of one or two cups of plain brewed coffee. Not only do you get a richer deeper flavor but also a higher intake of caffeine.

In addition, due to its intense and highly concentrated ingredients, which include caffeine, espresso coffee is also mixed into other popular coffee drinks, like lattes, cappuccino, macchiatos, and mochas without the need to excessively dilute the resulting drink. All of these various coffee drinks are sold in most coffee shops but you can also make them at home using our easy to follow coffee recipes.

Espresso Beans and Roasts

The popularity of different levels of roast in espresso varies significantly. This type of coffee is sometimes a blend of beans roasted anywhere from very light to a very dark roast with a lot of surface oil evident. It generally varies from region to region and is dependent on that specific region’s taste.

Espresso coffee is the most famous type of coffee in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, France and Southern Europe, obviously Brazil, and to other parts of Europe and North America. It accounts for nearly all of the commercial café, coffeehouse, and restaurant coffee business.

Once you try the deep rich flavor of an espresso coffee you will understand why it is so popular throughout the world.