Espresso is a type of coffee that is prepared by pushing water or steam at high pressure through fine coffee grounds, very rapidly. Gourmet espresso coffee is quite different from ordinary coffee, mostly to do with the fine grind of beans that is used. Generally, it is also somewhat thicker in texture, and almost always much higher in caffeine.
Espresso was first introduced at the turn of the 20th century in Milan, Italy. The finest gourmet espresso coffee is still only to be found in European countries, or so it goes according to espresso aficionados. Even though this beverage has been a favorite in Europe for many years, it has recently seen an increase in popularity in the United States.
This trend is largely due to the relatively recent phenomenon of specialty coffee houses popping up on every corner. At these establishments, it’s possible to purchase not only gourmet espresso coffee, but several variations of the beverage that make it somewhat more palatable to North American tastes. Since Italian-style gourmet espresso coffee is so highly concentrated, it’s the perfect base for other beverages like cappuccino, mocha, latte and macchiato.
There are those who prefer the impact of a straight shot of gourmet espresso coffee, with maybe just a slight dusting of sugar over the frothy surface. If that’s too rich for your tastes, however, you have lots of other options to enjoy a fine cup of coffee:
* Latte is two thirds steamed milk and only one third espresso.
* Cappuccino is one part espresso, one part steamed milk, and one part frothed milk. It’s frequently served with a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.
* Caffe macchiato, meaning “spotted coffee” in Italian, is a shot of espresso topped with a spoonful of frothed milk.
In a number of European countries, placing an order for coffee will probably result in a serving of gourmet espresso coffee. If what you really want is the beverage that you’re used to at home, you need to specify American coffee. In Italy, for instance, you would order “caffe Americano”.
The pressure and temperature of the water are pivotal in making fine gourmet espresso coffee. So if you plan on making some at home, you can’t do it without the help of espresso coffee machines. These small appliances come in a huge assortment of styles and prices, and boast any number of special features. For example, you can get a basic machine for around $60, but this won’t be a true espresso machine. Anything worthy of the name will be over $200, all the way up to several thousand for high end commercial equipment.
The most critical aspect of preparing gourmet espresso coffee is accurate management of water pressure and temperature. If you don’t keep a close eye on these processes, you’re likely to end up with espresso that is quite bitter.Related Articles: