Info-Authority: Espresso

Espresso is a variety of coffee that has become extremely fashionable in recent years. Originally developed in Italy (the name is Italian for “express,” in reference to its method of brewing), where it is considered to be the standard variety of coffee, the popularity of espresso has spread throughout both South and North America. In the United States, espresso has particularly come to be associated with the Seattle café scene. Perhaps no other beverage so effectively symbolizes a particular subculture in the popular mind.

Brewing Espresso

The base of an espresso consists of coffee beans carefully roasted to a dark, oily texture. This roast is ground almost to a powder, which is in turn compacted into a block. It is from this process of “expressing” the grounds, together with espresso's rapid brewing time, that the beverage derives its name. The purpose of this pressure is to extract the oils and flavors of the beans, which are then dissolved into the drink. The espresso itself is created by boiling water so that it is forced upwards through the compact grounds. The result is a thick beverage of the consistency of syrup with an intense flavor and an amber-colored foam floating on top. This foam, called crema, is considered an indication that the espresso has been properly brewed.

American-Style Espresso

Espresso is taken with the same sorts of variants found in ordinary coffee, encompassing everything from the standard sugar or milk to the more creative ice cream and liquor. Espresso is sometimes simply added to a cup of coffee prepared in the traditional American style (that is, without pressure) for an extra jolt; such blends are often referred to as Red Eyes, Black Eyes, or Dead Eyes, depending on the number of espresso shots -- respectively, one, two, or three -- to be added. Espresso also forms the base for other popular drinks, such as:

Lattes: one-third espresso, two-thirds steamed milk
Cappuccinos: one-third espresso, two-thirds of a foamy milk-based concoction
Mochas: espresso blended with cocoa.

A running joke in American coffee culture centers around the elaborate drink orders frequently made by espresso enthusiasts. Indeed, American varieties of espresso often bear very little resemblance to the Italian original.

Espresso Machines

Machines for the creation of espresso are widely available, and range from those with full automatic assistance to those that require careful input from an individual in terms of grinding, dosing, and compacting the coffee. A professional espresso-maker using such a machine is known respectfully as a barista (Italian for “bartender”), a vocation that is considered by avid coffee drinkers to be something of a fine art. Guilds and organizations for baristas abound, and there are numerous yearly contests dedicated to recognizing exemplars of the barista craft.

By Matthew Ingalls




	Espresso Espresso is a variety of coffee that has become extremely fashionable in recent years. Originally developed in Italy (the name is Italian for “express,” in reference to its method of brewing), where it is considered to be the standard variety of coffee, the popularity of espresso has spread throughout both South and North America. In the United States, espresso has particularly come to be associated with the Seattle café scene. Perhaps no other beverage so effectively symbolizes a particular subculture in the popular mind. Brewing Espresso The base of an espresso consists of coffee beans carefully roasted to a dark, oily texture. This roast is ground almost to a powder, which is in turn compacted into a block. It is from this process of “expressing” the grounds, together with espresso's rapid brewing time, that the beverage derives its name. The purpose of this pressure is to extract the oils and flavors of the beans, which are then dissolved into the drink. The espresso itself is created by boiling water so that it is forced upwards through the compact grounds. The result is a thick beverage of the consistency of syrup with an intense flavor and an amber-colored foam floating on top. This foam, called crema, is considered an indication that the espresso has been properly brewed. American-Style Espresso Espresso is taken with the same sorts of variants found in ordinary coffee, encompassing everything from the standard sugar or milk to the more creative ice cream and liquor. Espresso is sometimes simply added to a cup of coffee prepared in the traditional American style (that is, without pressure) for an extra jolt; such blends are often referred to as Red Eyes, Black Eyes, or Dead Eyes, depending on the number of espresso shots -- respectively, one, two, or three -- to be added. Espresso also forms the base for other popular drinks, such as: Lattes: one-third espresso, two-thirds steamed milk Cappuccinos: one-third espresso, two-thirds of a foamy milk-based concoction Mochas: espresso blended with cocoa. A running joke in American coffee culture centers around the elaborate drink orders frequently made by espresso enthusiasts. Indeed, American varieties of espresso often bear very little resemblance to the Italian original. Espresso Machines Machines for the creation of espresso are widely available, and range from those with full automatic assistance to those that require careful input from an individual in terms of grinding, dosing, and compacting the coffee. A professional espresso-maker using such a machine is known respectfully as a barista (Italian for “bartender”), a vocation that is considered by avid coffee drinkers to be something of a fine art. Guilds and organizations for baristas abound, and there are numerous yearly contests dedicated to recognizing exemplars of the barista craft. By Matthew Ingalls Related Links: Espresso Potential Tips for preparing the perfect espresso.