Espresso Coffee
Generally considered to be one of the world’s most popular coffees, espresso is a form of coffee which can be found in all corners of the world. It is a concentrated coffee beverage which is brewed by sending very hot water which is under very high pressure through coffee beans which have been ground to a consistency that is between very fine and a powder form. This coffee is produced with a much thicker consistency than traditional drip coffee, as it has a higher volume of solids within the liquid than traditional coffee can produce. Espresso is generally measured out with the use of shots which are around 1 fluid ounce in size.
Because of the high-pressure that is used for the brewing process, the flavor of espresso is generally very concentrated, which makes espresso a great drink to be used as the base for other drinks. Cappuccino, Macchiato, Lattes, and Mochas all find their bases with espresso. One shot of espresso generally has three times the amount of caffeine that a traditional cup of coffee carries, making it a very potent beverage.
One of the special qualities of espresso is that it is not contingent on any certain type of coffee bean for its success. Granted, better beans will produce a better type of coffee, whether it is traditional or espresso, but espresso can be made with any form of coffee bean. It is the brewing process that the coffee goes through which makes it into an espresso, not the material which is used. Due to the cooling and oxidation processes present after brewing, however, it is highly recommended that any espresso be consumed within two minutes after being served. If not, the time lapse will alter the composition of the espresso and it will not be as tasteful and potent as it is intended to be.
