Apr 17 2009
Espresso Coffee
Are you one of those people who shy away from ordering espresso coffee when out at your favorite coffee house? Possibly because you don’t have a clue how to order it, or maybe you just aren’t sure what the heck it is.
What Is Espresso Coffee, Exactly?
Espresso is a concentrated coffee drink that is brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee.
People who aren’t familiar with espresso often think it’s just a really small cup of really strong coffee. Well, there is a grain of truth there. Espresso is very strong and is usually served in small cups called demi-tasse cups, when it’s served on its own. Fans of espresso drink it straight all the time, but the general population enjoys espresso in a variety of other drinks, like a cappuccino or a latte.
On it’s own, espresso coffee is much more than just “strong coffee”. A properly pulled shot of espresso will have a lovely layer of foam on top, called the crema. The taste of espresso isn’t so much different from very strong coffee, and yet there is something more complex about it. It’s not something you drink down in 3 sips, even with the small cup. Take your time to enjoy it. Straight espresso can be a bit of an acquired taste because it is quite bold.
From Espresso Comes Other Coffee Drinks
Add a heavy dose of steamed milk and you have the wildly popular cappuccino. For a milder drink, add both steamed milk and then a layer of foamed milk on top, and have a latte. Beyond those basic espresso coffee drinks, you can also find the mochaccino, Americano, macchiato and con panna espresso variations. And to add to the confusing terms, many places use somewhat strange Italian terms for their sizes. A “grande” may really be a medium, and a “tall” could be a large. Ask before ordering if you are not sure.
Espresso Making its Way into Homes Everywhere Thanks to Home Espresso Machines
Though gourmet espresso drinks are common in coffee houses around the world, its becoming more commonplace to have espresso machines at home for your own personal espresso brewing.
The espresso machine works by creating pressure and forcing the water through the coffee grounds with more force than typical drip coffee makers. This gives you so much more flavor per ounce of finished espresso. They can be a bit more complex to use than a coffee-maker, but if you’ve found you love your espresso drinks, it’s worth it.
Top Espresso Coffee Links: