All About Espresso!!!

According to some Latin American dictionaries, espresso simply means ‘pressed out’. It is quiet similar to the English word express, which means just for you and fast. Both these meanings can be related to the method of preparing espresso. The words express, espresso and expres have similar meanings in Italian, French and English, where express means squeezing or expressing the flavour from coffee by using the pressure of the steam; espresso means the idea of doing something expressly; and lastly expres means speed or doing something quickly. The word espresso is used on Spain, Portugal and France. Both, espresso and expresso are used in the Americas as they both are valid English words.

Definition: "hot water being forced under pressure through very finely ground, dark roasted coffee". In early 1820’s Frenchman, Louis Bernard Rabaut, came up with the idea of using steam to propel the brewing water for coffee. Another Frenchman produced a machine which used the same principle for mixing large amounts of coffee in 1855. In1900’s many changes were made in this machine, which enabled it to brew many individual cups instead of a large pot of coffee. Thus, brewing coffee by steam pressure at a speed was given the name "espresso".

Types of Espresso

Firstly, espresso is a technique of brewing coffee; secondly, it is a coffee created by the brewing method and lastly, it is the way of serving that coffee. For example, cappuccino is prepared with espresso coffee, but because of its milk and greater volume, it cannot be called espresso.

Espresso (normale): Prepared from 6g/1 tbsp of finely ground dark roasted coffee extracted by highly pressurized water heated to 199 – 204° F. the basic cup of espresso is roughly 40 – 50ml of strong black coffee served in a 75ml cup.

Espresso macchiato: Its normal espresso marked or stained with about 15ml/1 tbsp of foamed on top.

Espresso romano: Its basic espresso served with a small piece of lemon peel. Brazil’s cafezinho is its equivalent, but the only difference is that it is served with a slice of lemon.

Espresso ristretto: Its 25ml of normal espresso served in an espresso cup.

Espresso corretto: A cup of basic espresso laced with an alcoholic drink. This is a breakfast favourite in North Italy. Its called espresso corrected and is taken with grappa.

Espresso con panna or espresso tazza d’oro: This is espresso macchiato with a touch of whipped cream instead of foamed milk.

Espresso doppio: Two shots of espresso coffee brewed in a two group filter holder but dispensed into one 150ml cup. It’s the same volume as an espresso lungo, but twice the coffee doze. A real jolt of energy.

Espresso lungo or Caffè Americano: A normal serving of espresso that is lengthened with hot water after it has been brewed to a volume of about 75 - 95 ml. The body of this coffee is like that of a filter coffee and it is usually served in a 150ml cup.