Espresso is one of the most heard types among all coffee types. This is caused by several reasons such as being practical, being delicious, being made fast or anything else… However, the fact is that espresso is consumed with love in many places in the world, and espresso continues to spread.

So, what distinguishes espresso in terms of being the favorite for coffee lovers, from other types of coffee?

WHAT IS ESPRESSO 

Espresso is a fast coffee brewing method made by using the power of pressure, which is discovered by Italians in the 1900s, also introduced to the World by them. Espresso is served in small portions, and it has a strong taste, high consistency. It’s rich in flavor and high in caffeine per milligram. Espresso is way harder to drink compared with filter coffee.

Thus, it is a type of coffee that is not loved and consumed by everyone. To soften and to flavor its taste, ingredients like milk, caramel, chocolate can be added. These types of espresso-based coffees have a sweater, softer aromas, and are loved by more people.

WHAT DOES ESPRESSO MEAN?

About this issue, two different opinions prevail. The first theory expresses that the word “espresso” comes from “espres” which means “fast” in Italian. The other one claims that it comes from “press” which means pressure. 

HOW TO MAKE AN ESPRESSO?

There exist some strict rules to brew delicious espresso. The factors like the thickness of grinding, when it was ground, the weight significantly affect the aroma of the coffee. Furthermore, it has to be needed to have a good coffee blend that will be used by a barista who applies the rules correctly. Besides the fact that some new brewing methods have been introduced in terms of softening and flavoring the coffee since espresso is classified as intense and extract coffee, the articles below are essential according to Italians that are inventors of espresso, and also accepted by the whole world. 

WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE AN ESPRESSO?

• Finely ground coffee suitable for 7-7.5 grams of espresso
• 9 bar water pressure
• Drinking water
• 85-94°C temperature
• 15-20 kg compression pressure
• 24-27 second flow (drip) time

Coffee is placed in the machine part called “portafilter” and is compressed. Then a cup is placed, and it is expected 30 ml water to be filtered for half a minute by passing through the

coffee. One portion of the espresso is obtained by meeting these conditions. Espresso cups are usually 45 ml in size and have an oval shape. This is significant for espresso to hold its foam and preserve its temperature. Moreover, preheating the cup will prevent espresso to be cold. 

THE FEATURES THAT A GOOD ESPRESSO MUST HAVE

1) Roasting Profile of Coffee Beans

Besides the fact the right amount of roast is important for every type of coffee, espresso is a coffee that gains its taste by use of dark roasted beans. Therefore, it is a common perception that the coffee beans used for espresso must be darker than filter coffees.

2) Freshness of the beans

Since espresso tastes very intense when it is compared with other types of coffee, an espresso brewed by stale beans is realized immediately. Therefore, it has much more important than other coffees, that grinding the beans right before brewing espresso. Also there is an easy way to detect the espresso's freshness is checking the cream at top of the espresso. However, coffee has a robusta in it than the cream may not be determinant factor. 

3) The mastery of Barista

The process of making an espresso is not hard, but it needs to be known well. A person who does not know well about the pressure or timing of coffee drains into the glass, is not able to make a good espresso regardless of the quality of the beans. Therefore, the mastery of the one making espresso has as much importance as the quality of the coffee in terms of determining the taste. 

THE COMMON MISTAKES OCCURRED DURING THE BREWING PROCESS OF ESPRESSO

To achieve a delicious espresso, each step must be done carefully, and completely. Even the tiniest mistake affects espresso’s taste seriously. However, there exists ways to overcome those mistakes.  

If espresso is too fluid or has a light cream, the coffee might be ground coarsely, under compressed, or underweight.

On the contrary, if espresso is less fluid and has a dark cream; the coffee might be ground ultra-finely, very compressed, or placed in a high amount of weight.

If there is coffee residue in the cup, group strainers may be stopped up, or the blades of the grinder could not grind the beans enough.

If the coffee flows less on one Side of the two-sided portafilter and flows more on the other side, it may be compressed incorrectly, or the machine might be in a curvy place.

THE BENEFITS OF ESPRESSO

• It helps water to be expelled from the human body. Thus, it assists you to get rid of edema and being lighter on the scale.
• It helps fats to burn. It accelerates metabolic rate, and it does not cause body fat since it does not cause you to drink calories.
• It increases focus and attention. It provides you to benefit from caffeine’s magical effects since it includes a high amount of caffeine per milligram. 

THE DAMAGES OF ESPRESSO

• High amount of consumption may cause body trembles. Thus, we should not exaggerate the consumption of espresso. 
• Consuming espresso at night may cause insomnia and makes you up until very late hours.