You know espresso as the caffeine source in your morning latte or cappuccino, but what is espresso, exactly? It’s not quite coffee, right? But it’s so similar. So let’s get down to what’s fueling your morning Americano.
What Is Espresso?
Espresso is a concentrated style of coffee made with specially roasted beans and an espresso machine.
Finely ground beans are packed into a portafilter, which is then locked into the base of the espresso machine. Very high pressure (a necessity for espresso) forces water through the packed grounds to pull one- or two-ounce shots of creamy, thick espresso.
So how did this machine come about? While Angelo Moriondo is thought to have the first espresso machine patent, dating back to 1884, his machine could only brew larger quantities of coffee. Luigi Bezzera invented the single-serve espresso machine in 1903 and then sold his patent to Desiderio Pavoni. Bezzera and Pavoni worked together to create a machine much like the ones we see today, and after the 1906 Milan Fair, the espresso machine became more commercially available.
Long story short: Thank you, Italy, for being the birthplace of our favorite way to wake up, our afternoon pick-me-ups and our post-dinner delights.
How Is Espresso Different from Coffee?
The only real difference between espresso and coffee is in the beans and the brewing methods. Espresso, like we mentioned above, is brewed through high water pressure and finely ground espresso beans. Coffee is brewed a bit slower, with much less pressure and with lighter roasted beans.
Espresso beans are very dark and are roasted longer than regular coffee beans. The long roast time ensures that oils are released from the coffee beans, which will result in the thick, full texture you recognize in an espresso shot. Beans that are roasted for shorter time periods create light, medium and dark roast coffee beans. Those are the beans used to brew classic coffee, French roasts or pour-overs.
For a quick example, even if you brewed espresso-roasted beans in your drip coffeemaker, it wouldn’t be espresso. The coffee would taste very strong because of the extra dark roast, but because there was no high-pressure brewing, the resulting beverage would just be regular coffee.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Shot of Espresso?
A single shot of espresso has about 64 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, a single eight-ounce cup of coffee has about 92 milligrams.
Most espresso drinks, however, use two or more shots. So while a single cup of espresso won’t pack the same caffeinated punch as a cup of coffee, most café-style drinks will pack more.
Blonde Espresso vs. Regular Espresso
Regular espresso comes from the darkly roasted beans we mentioned above. The resulting brew will be bitter and heavy. Blonde espresso is more of a trendy marketing term, but it’s essentially an espresso bean on the lighter end of the roasting scale. Because it goes through a shorter roasting period, blonde espresso will be less bitter and a bit lighter on the palate.
How to Drink Espresso
If you’re a sucker for cute coffee mugs, then get ready for your newest obsession: espresso cups. They’re the cutest, tiniest mugs, and they’re perfectly aesthetic on your kitchen counter. If you’re head over heels for these cups, you’ll want these espresso accessories too.
The easiest and fastest way to drink espresso is to sip it black. No milk to froth or syrups to mix—black espresso is as classic as it gets. The flavor will be strong and bitter, though, so sip slowly. If the flavor is too bitter for you, you can always make a latte by adding steamed milk or make a cappuccino by adding frothed milk.
For really fun twists on a shot of espresso, you can make a copycat Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso or the ever-classy espresso martini.
Popular Drinks Made with Espresso
- Espresso: It’s classic and simple—just a shot or two of creamy, thick espresso, enjoyed on its own.
- Americano: If you’ve ever been to Europe, you know the difference between an Americano and a cup of coffee. We Americans love our drip coffee, but it’s really not common in Europe. To accommodate tourists’ tastes, a shot of espresso is mixed with hot water to dilute the strong espresso taste a la drip coffee.
- Latte: Another classic, and always a treat, lattes are a shot of espresso topped with steamed milk. Amp up the sweetness with syrups like vanilla, caramel and hazelnut.
- Cappuccino: A cappuccino is similar to a latte, but it has a higher level of foam topping the steamed milk. The intricate leaves and hearts in latte art are possible because of the small amount of foam resting above the milk. Because there is so much more foam in a cappuccino, the closest you’ll get to cappuccino art is a snow-capped hill.
- Macchiato: A macchiato is the perfect balance of espresso and milk if you’re looking for something close to black espresso, but with a less bitter aftertaste. Unlike the large, creamy caramel-drizzled drink you might find at a coffee shop, a classic macchiato is just a shot of espresso with a dollop of warm milk mixed in.
- Affogato: Think of the affogato as part dessert part post-dinner drink. It’s made with a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over the top—yum.
- Martini: While this isn’t the typical way to enjoy espresso, we know that espresso martinis are delicious. Make one of these as an after-dinner drink.
Frothy Cafe Bombon
I discovered this layered java beverage during my honeymoon in Spain. —Keri Hesemann, St. Charles, Missouri This chocolate coffee recipe is sure to be the highlight of your morning!
Easy Spiced Morning Mocha
This recipe is a delicious morning pick-me-up and still tastes great when made with low-fat milk.—Vicki Wright, Omaha, Nebraska
Coffee with Cinnamon and Cloves
A quick-and-easy, fall-flavored coffee made with instant granules. What's not to love about this special beverage? —Jill Garn, Charlotte, Michigan
Creamy Caramel Mocha
You can easily indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink at home anytime. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this mocha treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Comforting Coffee Milk
This recipe is special to me because the delicious ingredients and flavors speak for themselves without those extra preservatives. Now that’s refreshing! —Brenda Schrag, Farmington, New Mexico
Holiday Peppermint Mocha
Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Creamy Irish Coffee
My maternal grandma seldom drank more than a glass of champagne at Christmas, but she couldn't resist my Creamy Irish Coffee. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Mocha Morning Drink
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Viennese Coffee
This isn't your regular cup of Joe! Dress it up with chocolate, whipped cream and more, making it a drink to savor! —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hazelnut Mocha Smoothies
This smooth blend of coffee, cocoa and nutty flavors is better than any coffeehouse version we've tried. Try it, and we're sure you will agree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Iced Coffee Latte
This amazing alternative to regular hot coffee is much more economical than store-bought coffee drinks. Sweetened condensed milk and a hint of chocolate lend a special touch. —Heather Nandell, Johnston, Iowa
Coconut Lover's Frappe
I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Sweet Kahlua Coffee
I have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
Frosty Caramel Cappuccino
This frothy iced cappuccino is positively delicious for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack or an after-dinner dessert. It's also a great quick treat to serve with a plate of cookies for the holidays. To make the ice cream topping easier to drizzle, put it in a squeeze bottle, take the cap off and microwave for a few seconds. —Carol Mann, Summerfield, Florida
Honey Spiced Latte
We combine rich molasses, golden honey and a host of spices to create this warm and comforting beverage.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hazelnut Coffee
The blend of flavors—coffee, hazelnut and a bit of chocolate—makes this drink absolutely sensational. It is delightful for breakfast or brunch, or serve it as one of your beverage offerings at a cocktail or dinner party. —Frieda Bliesner, McAllen, Texas
Irish Cream Coffee
A steaming cup of this Irish cream coffee makes the perfect pick-me-up any time of day. Try experimenting with other liqueurs or creamers to give each cup new life. —Carol Fate, Waverly, Illinois
Hot Ginger Coffee
I like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It's a wonderful warmup after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Iced Coffee
When my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Cinnamon Mocha Coffee
Most store-bought flavored coffees are expensive. Here's a special early-morning beverage you can make at home. The aroma of cinnamon and cocoa makes this mocha coffee hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cappuccino Punch
When I tried this punch at a friend's wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, IdahoThe post What Is Espresso? appeared first on Taste of Home.
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