All About Espresso

Espresso is a beverage that was first produced in Italy in the early part of the 1900s by using steam power to pour hot water over tightly packed "pucks" of coffee. Until the 1940s, espresso was produced mainly by the method of steam power. The inception of a spring piston lever machine changed the art of espresso making into what we know it as today.

Coffee vs. espresso

Since espresso is essentially a form of coffee, what's the big difference? When coffee goes through the espresso making process it produces a much thicker liquid because more of the solids within the coffee grounds themselves are dissolved. The chemical process is actually quite complex and some may even say volatile because of the process of oxidation and loss of temperature.

But perhaps one of the most distinguishing differences is its color. Espresso generally has a brown or reddish foam or appearance on its surface. This is because of the presence of the crema which is composed of sugars, proteins, and oils, and contains elements of foam colloid and emulsion. The process concentrates all the flavors and chemicals, such as caffeine, that are normally found in a regular cup of coffee. This is why many people prefer a shot, typically about one ounce, of espresso to get going in the morning.

Espresso drinks

Because of the high concentration in such a small amount of liquid, espresso lends itself to be incorporated into various other types of coffee drinks such as mochas, cappuccinos, and lattes. Here are a few different coffee based beverages that espressos are frequently incorporated into:

Americano - this is simply an espresso that is diluted with hot water. The measurements are usually half and half.

Red Eye - this is a regular cup of coffee with one shot of espresso in it. It's also sometimes known as a depth charge, and eye-opener, or a shot-in-the-dark.

Cafe Tobio - this consists of two shots of espresso with an equal amount of regular coffee.

Black Eye - similar to a Cafe Tobio, a black eye refers to two shots of espresso in a regular cup of coffee. It's also sometimes known as a Slingblade.

More information on espresso machines