Espresso – An Introductory Guide
By Peter J Jordan

As popular as espresso and its many variations of drinks are, many people don’t know what constitutes an espresso drink. Espresso was invented in Italy in the early 1900s. It is a coffee beverage that is brewed by forcing very hot water through finely ground coffee. When the water passes through the grounds it extracts the oils, proteins and sugars. It is this concentrated extraction that contains all great flavors and the potent caffeine kick. The concentrated flavors are heightened even more since it is served in a small demitasse cup of 2 to 3 ounces in size. An expresso should have a layer of crema on it. Crema is the light brown foam that sites on top of the drink and is one of the marks of a good brew.

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The Beginner’s Guide to Espresso
By Katya Coen

Espresso is just strong coffee. If this is your idea about what this drink is then you haven’t had a good espresso. It is slightly thicker than coffee with a caramel or reddish-brown foam called the cream on top. It is enjoyed straight or as the base for cappuccinos and lattes.

Developed in Milan, Italy in the early 20th century while looking for a faster way to produce coffee on an individual cup basis, it was originally made with steam pressure. Today’s espresso machines are based more on the spring piston lever machines of later years.

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