Espresso has long captivated coffee lover around the world. It is actually a type of coffee prepared with a special espresso machine and made from finely ground coffee beans. Espresso is taken in shots a straight shot is about one to one and thee fourths ounces. Most espressos are topped with cream. Espresso is usually poured directly into the cup used to serve it. Origins of the espresso Espresso roots back to old Italy, as its name, Italian for express, implies. The brewing involved in producing espresso has four steps. The first is macinazione, which refers to the grinding process. The second is miscela, which is the name for the produced coffee blend. The miscela then goes into the macchina, or the espresso machine, and is finally produced and poured by the mano that refers to the trained baristas hand. Espresso is an art Coffee experts agree that the ability to prepare the perfect cup of espresso takes years to acquire. In fact, it is so complicated that it is considered an art form. Baristas are trained extensively, so that they can make superior espresso. What is a perfect cup? Espresso is characterized by exceptional sweetness, smoothness and thickness. The perfect cup also maintains a strong aroma and the character of freshly-ground coffee flavor. The perfect espresso leaves a superior aftertaste minutes after drinking. The best espressos are made with only the finest coffee beans from Brazil, Panama, Mexico and Peru. These beans all have distinct bitterness, consistency and aftertaste. Usually, only trained baristas and active coffee lovers are able to balance espressos acidity, but there are a lot of self-help books and Internet tips available for those who want to try. The grinding process of espresso is complicated as well. If you over grind, you lose the flavor. The recommended grinding duration is very quick, usually around 25 to 28 seconds. |
