Espresso

Espresso is a special kind of coffee made by pushing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It started in Italy and is now enjoyed all over the world. An espresso drink is usually very small, about 25–30 ml, and has a rich, dark color with a light, foamy top called "crema".

Espresso machines are used to make this coffee quickly, usually in about 25–30 seconds. The pressure helps create a strong, flavorful coffee that is more concentrated than regular drip coffee.

Many popular coffee drinks begin with espresso, such as cappuccino, caffè latte, and americano. You can use different kinds of coffee beans and roasting levels to change the taste of espresso. The quality of espresso depends on many things, like how the coffee is ground, the temperature of the water, and the skill of the barista. Espresso is also important in coffee shops and in the third-wave coffee movement.

Etymology and spelling

The word espresso has a few meanings. In English, it can mean "pressed-out," but it also suggests something done quickly or specially for you. Early espresso machines from 1906 made a cup of coffee in 45 seconds just for you.

In the 1940s, a company named Gaggia introduced modern espresso, calling it crema caffè, meaning "cream coffee," because of the foam on top.

In America and England, people sometimes spelled it as expresso. This might be because "ex-" is a more common way for words to start in English. Today, espresso is the preferred spelling, especially since that is how Italians say it. In Italy, espresso is often just called caffè, meaning coffee.

History

Early history

Coffee arrived in Italy in the 1500s, and the first coffee houses opened not long after. By the mid-1800s, people in Italy were enjoying coffee at home and in cafes. As businesses wanted to make coffee faster, inventors started building new machines.

One early inventor was Angelo Moriondo from Turin. In 1884, he built a machine that used steam to push water through coffee grounds. This was one of the first machines to control steam and water separately.

Bezzera's invention

A machine that could make single cups of coffee appeared in 1901, when Luigi Bezzera from Milan patented his coffee maker. This machine used steam to heat water that passed through coffee grounds, making individual cups quickly.

In 1903, Desiderio Pavoni bought Bezzera's patents and improved the design. He began selling these machines in 1905. Early machines made coffee that looked dark and tasted bitter because the pressure was too low and they lacked the foamy top called "crema."

Achieving higher pressures

Later inventors worked on machines that could use more pressure without burning the coffee. In 1947, Achille Gaggia created a machine with a piston that pressed water up to higher pressures. This made a foam called crema, and these machines are considered the first modern espresso machines.

In 1961, Ernesto Valente invented the Faema E61, a machine that used an electric pump to pressurize water to the right level. This machine was cheaper and easier to use, helping espresso become more popular.

Characteristics

Espresso is thicker than other types of coffee, almost like warm honey. It has more solid pieces and a special foam on top called crema. The flavors in espresso are very strong.

Espresso has more caffeine in each small sip than most coffees. But because the cup is tiny—only about 25–30 ml—it usually has less caffeine overall than a bigger cup of regular coffee.

What makes espresso special is that it has three parts: tiny oil drops, solid bits, and a foamy layer. When you drink it, the oil drops make it feel creamy. The crema on top is a thick foam made from oils in the coffee.

Nutrition

Espresso has important nutrients like minerals, magnesium, B vitamins, niacin, and riboflavin in every 100 ml. It also contains about 212 mg of caffeine in that amount.

Process

Espresso is made by forcing very hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. An espresso machine is usually used for this. The process is sometimes called "pulling" a shot because older machines had a handle that a barista would pull to start it.

The coffee is pressed down first to help the water go through evenly. This makes the drink thicker by getting more flavor from the coffee.

Different types of coffee beans and roasting levels can be used for espresso. In southern Italy, darker roasts are preferred, while lighter roasts are more common farther north.

An espresso shot can be small, medium, or large, which changes how much coffee is used. The shot can also be short, normal, or long, changing how much water is used.

Home espresso machines have become more popular as more people have become interested in espresso. The first home espresso machine was the Gaggia Gilda, and many similar machines came after it.

Roasts

Variables

See also: Doppio, Ristretto, and Lungo

Machines

Espresso-based drinks

Main article: List of coffee drinks § Espresso

Espresso can be mixed with other ingredients to make different drinks. It is often combined with milk, either steamed, wet foamed, or dry foamed. Espresso usually has a small amount of liquid.

Some popular drinks made with espresso include:

• Caffè crema: a longer espresso drink with more water and coarser coffee grounds
• Espresso con panna: espresso with cream
• Viennese coffee: two shots of espresso with whipped cream
• Caffè mocha: a latte with chocolate
• Espresso martini: espresso mixed with coffee liqueur and vodka
• Caffè corretto: espresso mixed with brandy, grappa, or sambuca
• Freddo espresso: espresso mixed with sugar and ice
• Espresso and tonic