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What is Espresso Coffee Drink?

Espresso history
Composition and proportions of Espresso coffee
How to make an Espresso
Best coffee for Espresso
Best espresso machines to brew Espresso coffee

What is Espresso Coffee Drink?

Espresso history. Composition and proportions of Espresso coffee
How to make an Espresso. Best coffee for Espresso. Best espresso machines to brew Espresso coffee.
espresso, what is espresso, espresso picture infographics

What is Espresso?

Espresso is black coffee prepared in a coffee machine or a special coffee maker, where hot water is passed through the compressed ground beans at a pressure of 9 bar. The finished drink should have a dense foam (baristas call it crema) of a uniform golden hazel color, at least 2 mm thick. The taste of espresso harmoniously combines sweetness, bitterness and light sourness. Shades of taste depend on the varieties of coffee beans that make up the mixture, the degree of roasting and the skills of the barista.

The birthplace of the drink is Italy. Espresso is very quickly prepared and just as quickly drunk. It has several variants and serves as the basis for many other coffee drinks.
The word espresso in Italian means "just made, here and just for you." This is how the Italians themselves understand the term.
However, espresso is made using pressurized water. Thanks to this, another version of the translation of the name of the drink was born: "pressed", "made under pressure".
espresso, what is espresso, espresso coffee machine picture infographics
Luigi Bezzera's first coffee machine

History of Espresso

Strong black coffee is the eternal love of all the inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast. But until the 20th century, the drink was prepared only in cezves (Turkish Coffee Pod), and visitors to coffee houses had to wait too long for an order. Therefore, when the Milanese engineer Luigi Bezzera invented the coffee machine in 1901, it immediately became clear that the machine had a great future. Already in 1903, the entrepreneur Desiderio Pavoni acquired a license and from 1905 began to produce Pavoni coffee machines.

The novelty delighted the audience: now it took only half a minute to make coffee, so the name espresso turned out to be well deserved. Even before the war, the fashion for coffee machines swept Italy and France. In 1927, the first coffee machine appeared in one of the bars in New York.
But it was not without dissatisfaction. The fact is that in the model of the coffee machine invented by Bezzera, the particles of ground coffee overheated, the taste of espresso lost its sophistication, and the tones of burnt grains were felt in it.
espresso, what is espresso, espresso picture infographics thecoffeefanatics.com
The shortcoming was corrected by the Milanese bartender Achille Gaggia, who proposed a completely different technology. In Gagia's semi-automatic coffee maker, pressure created a stream of hot water supplied under strong pressure. Since the water temperature in such a coffee maker is below +100 ° C, the aroma of the drink is fully revealed, but the smell of burnt grains does not arise.

The economic situation in Italy after the war was extremely difficult, which is why many residents emigrated to English-speaking countries: the USA, Canada, Australia. In cafes and bars that Italian emigrants opened in a foreign land, espresso coffee was always served. As a result, already in the mid-60s of the last century, the drink gained popularity on all continents. He was loved even in conservative Asian countries, however, there they drink espresso chilled, mixing with ice.
Espresso Rules (Espresso Characteristics)
Classic Espresso differs from other types of coffee in the absence of impurities: milk, cream, spirits, spices. By adding these ingredients in various proportions to espresso, you can get dozens of other coffee drinks.
Coffee beans varieties
Blend of several varieties of Arabica, possibly adding a small amount of Robusta
Roast degree of coffee beans
From medium (Full City or Viennese) to dark (Italian or French). The darker the roast, the more bitter and less sour.
Grinding coffee beans
Fine espresso or medium
Water temperature for making spresso
For medium roast coffee - from +91 to +93 ° C,
for dark - from +88 to +91 ° C
Brewing time, seconds
25–30, depending on the coffee machine model
The volume of the portion at the exit, ml.
Caffeine content (strength)
25–30 ml (with crema)
50-68 mg (per serving)

The Espresso Experience, Video from Illy Coffee

A small miracle of chemistry and physics, espresso is simultaneously an emulsion, a suspension, an effervescence and a solution, more than any other preparation technique, it is the way of drinking coffee that brings out all the potential contained in a coffee bean. To make an espresso, you need to know its magic formula and the principles behind the preparation. To recognize it and appreciate it, you need to use all your senses.

Best Coffee for Espresso

The main advantage of espresso is a full-bodied taste and rich aroma. Arabica has a wonderful aroma, so these beans are the most in espresso blends. But if you brew espresso from beans of any one variety, the aroma will be much poorer, "one-sided" than that of a mixture of different varieties of Arabica.
For greater strength, a little robusta is added to such mixtures, which is almost 2 times richer in caffeine. Robusta has one more feature: it gives a dense foam. Blonde roast coffee.
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When buying ground coffee in packs, it is important to ensure its tightness. After opening the package, it is better not to leave the coffee in the pack, but pour it into a glass container with a ground-in lid. The same should be done with excess self-ground coffee. But after 2-3 weeks of storage, the smell of ground coffee weakens.

Espresso has the best aroma from beans that are ground immediately before preparing the drink. Even if several hours pass between grinding the beans and brewing coffee, the coffee will have time to dampen and even run out of steam a little.
Ground coffee with aromatic additives is not suitable for making espresso: it is impossible to predict how artificial flavors will behave in an espresso coffee maker.
What is espresso?

Best Nespresso, Dark Roast Espresso Capsules

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How to Grind Coffee for Espresso?

In common classifications, the degree of grind for espresso is defined as fine espresso grind or extra fine. The particle size in coffee powder is defined as very fine/dusty sand or fine table salt. The coffee particles begin to clump together when ground this way, forming small lumps.

At first, you can use the following method: take a pinch of ground coffee with your thumb and forefinger - it should form a small lump in the place of most pressure. If the lump is not obtained, it means that the grinding is not thin enough. If the whole coffee clumps together, it means that the coffee has been ground too finely.

What is espresso?

Proportions of Ristretto, Espresso and Lungo

About coffee strength TDS

TDS stands for total dissolved solids, is the % of substances dissolved in the drink of its total weight.
Coffee beans consist of 50% cellulose, which is not soluble at all. The soluble substances are only 36%, which is the maximum that can be extracted under laboratory conditions. When coffee is brewed with water, the acids are extracted first, then the sugars, and finally the bitter substances. Coffee tastes good when these substances are in balance with each other.
TDS is primarily influenced by two main factors: Ratio, which is the ratio of coffee to water: the more coffee, the higher the TDS and vice versa. Grind: The finer the grind, the higher the TDS.


What you need to know when making Espresso

Even if you want to make the espresso stronger, you can't pour too much coffee into the holder: in this case it will be difficult to tamp it down with tamper. If the ground coffee is unevenly pressed, water will flow through areas of lower density. As a result, the drink will turn out to be liquid.
It is important to choose the right tamper. Preference should be given to stainless steel tampers: aluminum and plastic are too brittle. The flat base tamper is suitable for both single and double holders.
Ready coffee should be poured into a preheated cup, preferably ceramic
Espresso cannot be poured from one cup to another
Crema (foam) should be uniform in color.
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How to brew Espresso

Ristretto requires an espresso machine. The beverage cannot be brewed in a turkey, pour-over,
French press or any other alternative method.
  • Classic espresso recipe
    1. Turn on the coffee maker and wait for the ready indicator to turn on.
    3. Press the coffee in the holder with a tamper
    4. Install the holder in the coffee maker.
    5. Place a clean, warm cup in the drip tray. Cooking time - 25-30 seconds.
    6. Add sugar to taste.
  • Espresso with ice cream ailernative recipe
    You can enjoy espresso with an ice cream flavor, if you put a spoonful or two of your favorite ice cream in the coffee cup, stirring it dynamically. The ice cream melting in the hot, strong black coffee produces an amazing creamy float.
  • Espresso martini alternative recipe
    If you have a great desire to enjoy an espresso martini, follow a few simple steps: Pour one strong espresso shot and the selected amount of the alcoholic liquid into the cocktail shaker, add some ice cubes, and start shaking vigorously. It's recommended to have a branded cocktail glass chilled well prior to pouring the mixture to get the expected result.

How to Drink Espresso?

Drink espresso quickly enough. The first thing we do is stir the crema and espresso. The fact is that when water passes under pressure through the coffee tablet, it washes out various substances: minerals, salts, sugars, and so on. These substances inside the espresso begin to stratify, with the heavier elements going down and the lighter elements going higher and higher. If you just take a cup and without stirring take a sip, you will capture the first top layers, take a second sip and you will have a change in taste after the third and fourth sip the taste will also change slightly. In order to fully appreciate the espresso, the contents of the drink must be evenly distributed. To do this, it is enough to stir the espresso 2-3 times with a spoon to the very bottom of the cup and then try the drink.

When to Drink Espresso?

Espressos can be drunk any time of day or night. Recommendations given by coffee gurus are the following:

· Sip espresso in the morning to boost energetic levels.

· By choosing espressos for your afternoon ceremony, you help digestion.

· Avoid having a shot of lovely coffee at the end of your day. It's not a bedtime beverage.

· Don't forget to consume some water before drinking espresso. Due to water, it's possible to achieve full enjoyment of your beverage aromatics.

Frequently Asked Questions about Espresso

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What is espresso?

Best Coffee Machines to Brew Espresso

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Large, Stainless Steel

  • 15 bar Italian pump
  • Purge Function: Automatically adjusts water temperature after steam for optimal espresso extraction temperature
  • Stainless steel conical burr grinder with 1/2 pounds sealed bean hopper
  • 1600 watt thermo coil heating system
  • 67 fluid ounce (2 Liter) removable water tank with handle

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine, Solid

The Gaggia Classic Pro is improved by one of the best semi-automatic espresso machines available at the entry level. Texture milk with the latest commercial steam wand for a velvety microfoam suitable for latte painting. Brew specialist espresso with the commercial 58 mm portafilter style and the commercial single and double shot baskets included. Or, with the pressurized basket, get the most out of pre-ground or ESE pods. A new look is provided by the revised design, with improved pump mounts for quieter brewing.

  • Commercial Components
  • Cafe Quality Espresso
  • Improved Design

Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine, Solid

DeLonghi EC685R Dedica Deluxe 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine

In four colors, the De'Longhi Dedica DeLuxe Pump Espresso Machine offers the high-quality coffee brewing capacity you expect in an ultraslim 6-inch size from De'Longhi. In just 35 seconds, the Thermoblock Heating System provides ideal beverages.

You can also prepare several delicious cups in a row by using the Rapid Cappuccino Method to preserve the perfect temperature. With little or no effort, the Premium Customizable Frother enables you to change the foam and steam levels to customize a selection of delicious espresso-based beverages, such as flat white, latte macchiato and more.

For lattes or larger-sized drinks, the double drip tray may handle taller glasses. A cup warmer, standby energy-saving mode, descaling warning, removable 35-oz provide additional features. A tank of water and an anti-drip system. With the De'Longhi Dedica DeLuxe, bring the coffeehouse experience home. It's fast and easy, in no time you'll be sipping.

DeLonghi EC685R Dedica Deluxe 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine

What is espresso?

Best Coffee Grinders for Espresso Machines

Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel

Stainless steel conical burrs designed to reduce grinding heat and protect the coffee bean essential oils From the finest Espresso to the coarsest French Press Grind, 60 exact grinding settings. Tension: 110 120 Volt. Capacity: 165 Watts
Precision Electronic Timer allows users to change grind time every time in increments of 0.2 seconds and consistent dose 18 ounce coffee bean volume with a locking system for fast bean hopper removal, storage and transfer Grind directly into the portafilter, grind jar, filter basket for gold tone or filter paper Tiny portafilter cradle 50 54 mm; 58 mm wide portafilter cradle

Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel

Delonghi Stainless Steel Dedica Coffee Grinder KG521M

The Gaggia Classic Pro is improved by one of the best semi-automatic espresso machines available at the entry level. Texture milk with the latest commercial steam wand for a velvety microfoam suitable for latte painting. Brew specialist espresso with the commercial 58 mm portafilter style and the commercial single and double shot baskets included. Or, with the pressurized basket, get the most out of pre-ground or ESE pods. A new look is provided by the revised design, with improved pump mounts for quieter brewing.

  • Commercial Components
  • Cafe Quality Espresso
  • Improved Design

Delonghi Stainless Steel Dedica Coffee Grinder KG521M

Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display

SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are favoured and endorsed by Baratza's world-class support from coffee professionals.
DIGITAL TIMER and BACKLIT GROUNDS BIN - a digital timer of 40 seconds, adjustable to a tenth of a second, and an LED backlit ground bin to reliably and regularly dose ground coffee.
40 GRIND SETTINGS - To help you discover a wide variety of brewing methods with enhanced commercial-grade conical burrs (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
STYLISH - A top and base of sculpted metal offer the Virtuoso+ a modern picture that highlights your coffee corner.

Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display

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