What is espresso?
If you aren't sure what an espresso is, you certainly aren't alone.
Is it a type of drink? Is it a way of making coffee? Is it a type of coffee machine? Many of us enjoy espresso coffee without fully understanding what it is, where it comes from, or the many different forms that it can take.
Where does the name espresso come from?
The beloved espresso was born from a need for speed. In the 1880's coffee was becoming more and more popular across Europe but drinkers were looking for a quicker way to get their hands on their favourite brew.
An Italian named Angelo Moriondo is generally credited as the founder of espresso or coffee made 'expressly'. In 1884, he submitted a patent for the first machine to brew large quantities of coffee using steam and water. Sadly, Moriondo's machine was never produced commercially and all went quiet on the espresso front for another twenty years.
At the 1906 World Fair in Milan a pair of Italian entrepreneurs, Luigi Bezzeraa and Desiero Pavoni revealed a machine that was capable of brewing single cup coffee or 'caffe espresso'. The rest is history.
What exactly is espresso?
Contrary to popular belief, espresso (pronounced ess-PRESS-oh) is not a type of coffee bean or roasting technique. In fact, espresso is a specific way of brewing coffee.
A shot of espresso is created when hot water is forced through roasted coffee grounds at high pressure. This pressure shortens the extraction time (in comparison to plunger coffee). The result: a thicker, richer, fuller flavour complete with a velvety crema.
Espresso shots can be enjoyed on their own or as the basis for many other coffee favourites including cappuccino, long black, latte, mocha and many more.
What does an espresso coffee taste like?
Coffee tasting is a multi-sensory experience involving aroma, taste, and after taste. Therefore the notes of each espresso will vary based on coffee origin, roasting technique, bean type and more.
The first step in coffee tasting comes before you even take a sip of espresso - the aroma of your coffee is an important element of the overall experience. The aroma should be rich and embody the characteristics of the bean and roast. Look out for smoky, spicy, chocolatey, flowery, fruity or nutty aromatic qualities.
The taste will vary depending on which coffee you have chosen but should still 'feel' balanced. The traits of a good tasting coffee include a multi-dimensional taste profile.
The aftertaste is often what stands out most in the coffee drinking experience. A great coffee should linger in your mouth for some time after you've swallowed.
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