This is a collaborative post.
Did you know we consume around 98 million cups of coffee every single day in the UK (according to the British Coffee Association?)
Given the rising popularity of specialty coffee shops, it’s really no wonder that coffee’s enjoying a moment in the spotlight, with more and more of us consuming barista-brewed drinks than ever before.
If you need a caffeine kick to jump-start your morning, or an afternoon pick-me-up to get you through the 3pm energy slump, espresso always goes down well. This small, concentrated serving of rich, heady coffee is served in small shots, drunk alone or used a as a base for other hot drinks.
Whether you’re an espresso enthusiast or a complete newbie to the stuff, read on for a few interesting facts on what espresso is, and how best to drink it.
What is espresso?
Brewed in purpose-built espresso machines which push hot water through very finely ground coffee beans, espresso is topped with a thick layer of foam, or ‘crema’.
Most espresso machines can extract coffee from beans within no more than around 25 seconds, producing an abundance of soluble oils which create that thick mouthfeel and rich coffee flavour we know and love so well.
Espresso was invented in the early 1900s in Italy, where it remains popular today. Despite being around for so long, the taste of espresso hasn’t changed much over time, however, with the high coffee-to-water ratio accentuating the flavour. The aroma, roast, acidity, and unique flavour notes of coffee beans play a part in determining the end flavour and feel of the espresso too. As espresso machines don’t use paper filters, the oils serve to add flavour and body.
Once brewed, espresso is poured into demitasse cups – usually half the size of regular coffee cups – for serving. Although one serving of espresso is called a shot, it isn’t intended to be drunk in a single gulp; instead, you should sip it slowly, taking time to fully appreciate the breadth of flavour.
Some of the most common non-dairy forms of espresso include:
- Ristretto: a concentrated espresso, measuring around 24ml, with a shorter extraction time and reduced bitterness
- Espress: a regular, 30ml espresso with an extraction time of around 25 to 30 seconds
- Lungo: a 60 ml (2 oz) beverage with a longer extraction time, and distinct bitter notes
Coffee vs. espresso
Although espresso is a form of coffee, most people refer to drip or filter coffee simply as “coffee”, being as it’s far less concentrated than espresso.
So, where do the two originate from? Well, both coffee and espresso are derived from the same coffee plant, and grown, processed and roasted identically too. Therefore, you can use the exact same beans for both espresso and coffee. The difference lies in how the coffee beans are ground and treated; usually, espresso is brewed using only dark coffee beans, whereas coffee uses dark, medium, or light beans.
In fact, the real difference between how coffee and espresso are made lies in how the two drinks are made. Espresso is made in a proper espresso machine, which pushes water through coffee grounds at high pressure. Meanwhile, traditional coffee is made by dripping water over the grounds, either using the traditional coffee pot or a pour-over device.
Furthermore, espresso is more concentrated than coffee, making it a much stronger drink – around five to seven times more concentrated than regular coffee, to be precise. It also features a thick layer of foam, or ‘crema’. Produced during the extraction process, the crema is what gives espresso that lingering after-taste.
Lastly, Espresso and coffee also differ in caffeine content; while regular drip coffee contains around 80mg to 200mg of caffeine, a single shot of espresso contains around 60mg of caffeine.
How to make espresso
You’ll need an espresso machine in order to brew espresso yourself at home. There’s a lot to be said about choosing the right machine, but what’s really critical is finding one that generates nine bars of pressure (equivalent to 245kg, or 540lbs, in weight). This is what’s needed to push the hot water through the fine coffee grounds, in turn producing espresso.
A key point to bear in mind is that you’ll need a 1:2 coffee-to-water ratio when making espresso – far more concentrated than typical coffee, which sits at around 1:15.
Here’s how to make espresso step-by-step:
- Grind the coffee beans until you have very fine ground
- Add the ground coffee to the portafilter and tamp until you have an even, flat puck
- Attach the portafilter to the machine
- Press the button to pull the shot (which should take around 25 to 30 seconds)
- Enjoy your espresso
Common espresso drinks
Espresso is often used as a base for other coffee drinks, especially milk-based ones. Here are some of the most popular espresso drinks:
- Latte – made using 60ml espresso, 240ml steamed milk, and 30ml milk foam, a latte is the milkiest espresso drink of all, making it a go-to morning choice
- Cappuccino – made by pouring one or two espresso shots into a cup and adding hot milk, followed by milk foam, a cappuccino is characterised by distinct layers, which the espresso flavour flows through
- Cortado – with 60ml espresso and 60-120 ml milk, a cortado has a velvety, creamy texture with a defined coffee flavour
- Americano – a combination of 60ml espresso topped with around 180ml hot water (although the water ratio can vary), an Americano is, essentially, a diluted espresso. Its flavour is similar to drip coffee, but smoother and less acidic.
Hopefully by now, you’ll be feeling far more clued up on the differences between coffee and espresso. So, next time you pop to your favourite local coffee shop, you’ll know exactly what to order!
This is a collaborative post.