What is espresso?
Espresso is a concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. A single shot is about 30 milliliters and has a layer of golden foam called crema.
An espresso machine pushes water at about 90 degrees Celsius through tightly packed coffee at around 9 bars of pressure, about nine times atmospheric pressure. The process takes about 25 to 30 seconds. It extracts strong flavors and oils, creating a thick, intense drink. Espresso is the base for drinks like cappuccinos, lattes and Americanos.
Espresso was developed in Italy. Angelo Moriondo patented an early espresso machine in Turin in 1884, and later inventors improved it. In the 1940s, Achille Gaggia introduced a lever machine that created higher pressure and the crema that espresso is now known for.
Espresso culture
In Italy, ordering un caffè usually means an espresso, often drunk quickly while standing at the bar. A double shot is called a doppio, and a shorter, stronger shot is a ristretto. Although espresso tastes strong, a single shot contains less caffeine than a typical mug of filter coffee.
Did You Know?
The word espresso comes from Italian and is often linked to the idea of coffee made quickly, expressly for each customer.