Espresso

Caffè espresso, or just espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. In vast contrast to other coffee brewing methods, espresso often has a thicker consistency, a higher concentration of dissolved solids, and crema (foam) . As a result of the pressurized brewing process, all of the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of coffee are very concentrated. For this reason, espresso is the base for other drinks, such as lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, mochas, and americanos.

The first espresso machines appeared in the beginning of the 20th century. To produce coffee, they used steam pressure.

Preparation of espresso requires an espresso machine. The act of producing a shot of espresso is often termed "pulling" a shot, originating from lever espresso machines which require pulling down a handle attached to a spring-loaded piston, forcing hot water through the coffee at high pressure.

Espresso is the most popular coffee-based beverage in many parts of the world, though the espresso phenomenon is quite recent. With the rise of various coffee chains in the 1990s, espresso-based drinks rose in popularity in the United States, with the city of Seattle viewed as one of the origins of modern interest.

In addition to the Italian espresso, coffee chains offer various types of mixtures; adding syrups, cream, milk foam, spices, making a lot more complex drink than the simple espresso. Espresso has become increasingly popular in recent years, in regions where coffee has traditionally been prepared in other ways.

Furthermore, espresso is frequently served blended with milk and hot water. Notable milk-based espresso drinks, in order of size, include: macchiato, cappuccino, flat white, and latte, while espresso and water drinks especially include the Americano and long black.

A few espresso-based drinks:

• Affogato: espresso served over gelato. Vanilla is the traditional flavor, but a wide variety of flavors can be used.
• Americano: a mixture of espresso and hot water, with the water poured over the espresso. This mix was created in order to dilute the strong taste of espresso.
• Antoccino: a shot of espresso with steamed milk at about the same quantity.
• Bicerin: made from layers of espresso, chocolate and whole milk.
• Carajillo: espresso with a shot of brandy. Popular in Spain during the winter:)
• Cappuccino: Traditionally, one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third microfoam.
• Corretto: coffee with a shot of liquor, usually grappa or brandy.
• Con hielo: Espresso immediately poured over two ice cubes, preferred in Madrid during Summer.
• Doppio: double shot of espresso.
• Flat white: a coffee drink made of one-third espresso and two thirds steamed milk with little or no foam.
• Guillermo: one or to shots of espresso poured over slices of lime.