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Espresso (Italian for "extremely quick") is a strong, flavorful coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans.
Espresso differs greatly from the common drip brewed coffee drink in it's thick concentrated consistency, and robust flavor. The process is such that many elements are extracted from teh coffee that normally are not found in other coffee beverages. Colloid proteins, oils, gases, and sugars combine to create this special beverage. A layer of viscous foam called "Crema" on top of the bveverage is one of the visual clues that you have something different to taste. These other elements combine to mask the natural bitterness of coffee. If it tastes exceedingly bitter then it wasn't made properly.
Due to it's potency, straight espresso (espresso served without sweetener or milk, analogous to black coffee) is considered by some to be an acquired taste. The small cups of the beverage are usually one ounce (for a single) and two ounces (for a double shot) shots. larger portions point towards improperly made espresso.
Espresso is often used as the foundation for other, less bitter drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and many more. A key component in the flavor of espresso is the the golden foam, called Crema which floats on the surface.
Espresso Beans
Espresso is usually derived from a certain type of coffee bean; Coffea arabica commonly known as Arabica, but the other variety, Robusta, can also used in some espresso belnds. Arabica trees require more care in growing, and are therefore more expensive. Arabica beans are considered to be superior to the more commonCaffea canephora (known as Robusta) beans, which are typically used for filler in commercial drip brew: drip brewing coffee, due to their lower level of caffeine and acidity, and their higher amounts of flavor and aroma. For making espresso, the beans are ground very finely, unlike coarser drip-style grounds.
Although some think that to make espresso the beans have to be very dark roasted, this is just not the case. In teh industry, there is no such thing as an "Espresso Roast." Espresso is a beverage, and some of the best roasts for espresso are quite a bit lighter in roast compared to what most people think. Dark roasting removes sugars and leads to an excessively bitter beverage.
Brewing Process
The process of making espresso is considered by many to be an art form, and people who are thought to have mastered their technique are referred to as baristas. This belief is due, in part, to the many nuances which can be altered to effect the final product, as well as the fact that high quality espresso machines can be too expensive for most people, particularly compared to the run-of-the-mill coffee machines most have in teh home.
Techniques for making espresso vary from person to person, and depend largely upon the machine used. First, a metal "basket" with a perforated bottom is filled with coffee powder, and pressed down with a tamp to form a "puck" at the bottom of the basket. The basket is fitted to the espresso machine in a sealed holder, which directs the coffee into the mug. Heated water in a pressure sealed tank is pumped through the compressed coffee and into the mug. For more specific details on espresso brewing techniques, see Espresso machine.
History
See also: Coffee, Caffé, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha, Espresso machine, Moka, Drip brew