Espresso is an intense, thick and rich coffee, made using a special process for extracting the flavor from the grounds. The beans used for espresso are frequently French or Italian roast, which are both roasted longer than other varieties, and have a deep, pungent aroma and flavor. The process of making this coffee is also called espresso and espresso is made right before it is served. In Italy, where espresso originated, the coffee that is most commonly served is what is called espresso in the United States.
Espresso beans should be very fresh, and like all coffee should be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. The beans are ground very finely to a nearly powdery consistency; for the best espresso the beans are not ground until right before the espresso is made. The grinds are packed firmly into a gruppa, a metal cup with holes along the bottom. A tamper is a tool used to press the beans in to the gruppa to keep the water from passing through it too quickly.
The most common espresso, such as that made in chain gourmet coffee shops across the country is made in a pump unit. Home versions of the pump unit are available and are commonly called countertop pressure machines. While it is also possible to make espresso on the stovetop using a boiler, the resulting coffee is more bitter and less flavorful than the pressure variety.
In a pump unit, the water for the coffee is kept at less than the boiling point. Steam pressure builds in the unit and is then forced through the grounds by a pump. The result is espresso. Espresso is generally served in small portions, usually only one to two ounces, and is presented in small cups known as demitasse cups. It is often garnished with a small curl of lemon peel.
A one ounce cup of espresso has about 100 mg of caffeine, which is similar to the caffeine content of an eight ounce cup of regular drip coffee. It is also possible to purchase decaffeinated espresso, but most coffee fans feel the flavor is inferior.
While many people enjoy drinking straight espresso, or espresso simply sweetened with sugar, it is also the basis of a number of other popular coffee drinks. Cappuccino is espresso with hot milk and steamed, foamy milk. Most pressure espresso machines include a steam wand for making milk foam for this frothy concoction. A latte is also espresso and hot milk, but it does not have the steamed milk foam. A mocha is generally a latte with some chocolate syrup; it may also have whipped cream. A caffe americano is a shot of espresso combined with several ounces of hot water to make a drink similar in strength to regular coffee. True coffee aficionados will drink double or triple espressos, or will add espresso to cups of regular coffee to increase the flavor and caffeine content.
Since stale coffee grinds will create a stale cup of espresso, it is important to clean espresso makers regularly to ensure the best flavor. Home espresso makers can be complex and require regular maintenance, adding to the popularity of espresso bars.
