Coffee
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground beans, served in a small cup.
What it means for a café
Every milk drink on a café menu starts here, which is why espresso quality sets the ceiling for everything else served. It is also the least forgiving thing to make: a few seconds either side of the target extraction is the difference between sweet and sour, and the grind that worked at nine may not work by two as the humidity shifts.
This page describes espresso in general. It is not a description of any particular chain’s recipe, and the photograph is not of any named company’s product.
- Typical serve
- 25–30 ml, a single shot
- Brew time
- Around 25–30 seconds
- Base for
- Latte, cappuccino, flat white, americano
More coffee
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam, traditionally served in a cup of around 150–180 ml.
Latte
A latte is espresso with a large volume of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, usually served in a glass or tall cup.
Flat white
A flat white is espresso with steamed milk and a very thin layer of microfoam, served smaller than a latte so the coffee stays forward.
Americano
An americano is espresso diluted with hot water, producing a drink of similar strength to filter coffee but with espresso’s character.
Mocha
A mocha is espresso combined with chocolate and steamed milk, sitting between a coffee and a hot chocolate.
Cold brew
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for many hours and then filtered, producing a low-acidity concentrate usually served over ice.
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