Espresso is a type of coffee. It is currently most popular in southern area of Europe and some parts of S. America. It was invented in Milan, Italy, around the beginning of the 20th century and initially was produced using pressurized steam, although many methods of making it now use pressurized hot water.
This type of coffee is typically twice as concentrated as other types of coffee and due to this concentration is used as a base for many other types of coffee including the famous cappuccino as well as mocha, latte and macchiato. However, it is commonly served in much smaller portions than regular coffee which means that the actual amount of caffeine per cup is typically less than with other coffees.
The espresso is sometimes served in a pre-heated mug or glass. This helps retain the warmth and the “crema” which is the foam on top and is typically a reddish-brown color.
Many people see coffee beans marketed as “espresso” and thus believe that it’s a different type of bean used than for other coffees. This is not true, as an espresso can really be made using any variety of coffee beans. It is a good idea to try a variety of different beans to make your espresso to see which you like the best, or you could find information on which beans are used to make your favorite espresso on sale. Espresso is not a particular roasting level of beans either, so make sure you try a variety of roasts.
The espresso originally came to America to Cuban communities in Miami. It is now common in America and even more popular in Australia. From Miami, the drink spread to Seattle, and from there across the rest of the USA, spreading as the well-known brands of coffee shops spread. At the time of writing, North Beach, San Francisco is one of the areas where the espresso is particularly popular.
There are many sub-types of espresso with slightly different methods of creation. The Americano is a diluted form made by adding an equal quantity of hot water, and was preferred by American soldiers in the first world war. The cappuccino was traditionally made using one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third microfoam. American variations on the cappuccino typically add more foam and more milk resulting in a less concentrated drink.
Want to find out more about Espresso, then visit Thomas Goldman’s site on how to choose the best Espresso Machines and coffees for your espessos.