Espresso

  

Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely grounded coffee. Espresso has a thicker consistency and a higher concentration of dissolved solids, and crema than other coffee bewing methods.

All the flavours and chemicals in an espresso coffee are very concentrated which is why espresso is the base for other drinks like cappuccino, macchiato, mochas and lattes.

The first espresso machines were introduced at the beginning of the 20th Century, the first patent being filed by Luigi Bezzera of Milan, Italy in 1901. Until the mid 1940s, when the piston lever espresso machine was  introduced, it was produced only with steam pressure

                                                                                  

Preparation of espresso required an espresso machine. The act of producing a shot of espresso is called 'pulling a shot' which required pulling down a handle attached to a spring-loaded piston, forcing hot water through the coffee at high pressure. Today it is more common for the pressure to be produced by steam or pump. This process produces an almost syrupy beverage by extracting and emulsifying the oils in the ground coffee.

             

Espresso is the main type of coffee in many parts of the world. In addition to the Italian style of coffee, coffee chains offer many variations by adding syrups, whipped cream, flavour extracts, soy milk and various spices to their drinks.

Variations include, Affogato, Americano, Antoccino, Black eye, Bom bon, Breve, Carajillo, Cappuccino, Corretto, Cortado, Cubano, Espresso con Panne, Flat white, Guillermo and Iced coffee.