Where Can You Find The Best Espresso Coffee Beans?
These days, with a Starbucks on every corner, espresso drinks are more popular than ever. But what do you really know about espresso coffee beans?
What Espresso Is
The word "espresso" is an Italian word that means, roughly, a coffee drink brewed especially, or expressly, for you. Espresso drinks that are popularly brewed are made using a pump or lever that presses the espresso coffee beans.
In spite of the fact that we, and the rest of the world, use the term espresso coffee beans to describe the beans we use to make espresso beverages, the truth is that all coffee beans are espresso coffee beans. All kind of coffee can be used to make espresso.
Is There A Special Roast?
Again, the answer is no. Light roasted and dark roasted beans can all be used to make espresso. There are some regional preferences worth noting. Generally speaking, espresso drinkers on the west coast of the U.S. like their espresso coffee beans roasted with a dark roast, or "French roast." Italians tend to use a medium roast coffee bean for espresso, and coffee drinkers on the east cost like their espresso made with a light roasted bean.
What About Espresso Machines?
A true espresso machine can produce a minimum pressure of 135 pounds per square inch, forcing the hot water through a dense mound of compacted ground coffee. Steam pressure machines use steam, not hot water, to create the espresso. These machines only use 50 pounds of pressure per square inch to make coffee drinks, so they are not true espresso coffee machines.
How Do You Make An Espresso Drink?
To make an espresso coffee drink, use a true espresso machine to make a one to two ounce shot of hot coffee brewed in about one tablespoon of finely ground, compacted coffee beans. The entire brewing process should be completed in less than 30 seconds. Quality espresso contains a rich layer of dark foam on the surface of the drink. Italians look for this foam when judging quality of an espresso coffee drink.
How To Drink
If you want to use the Italian method of drinking, hold the cup to your nose and inhale the aroma of the freshly brewed espresso, as you would sniff a fine wine before drinking it. Then drink the entire shot rather quickly while it is still hot, in four or five successive swallows. Tap the empty cup back into the saucer, and you're good to go.
