Espresso
A small, concentrated coffee extracted under pressure, with a fine layer of crema and an aroma that changes with the beans, roast and grind.
- Form
- Freshly extracted coffee
- Character
- Concentrated, aromatic, with crema
- In the kitchen
- A drink and an ingredient for coffee desserts
From the grind to the cup
Hot water passes under pressure through finely ground coffee. The grind affects how the water flows and how much flavour it extracts. Use a grind intended for espresso and adjust the preparation to your machine and coffee, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
A short coffee, or the start of a dessert
Enjoy it freshly made in a small cup. For an affogato, pour hot espresso over gelato and serve straight away, while the gelato is beginning to soften. When a recipe needs cooled coffee, measure the liquid it calls for rather than assuming every shot has the same volume.
The right tools for it
Picked for this food.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
For grinding beans just before you brew, when they smell their best.
AmazonBialetti Moka Express
A moka makes strong coffee at home, though not true espresso; keep the heat low.
AmazonBreville Smart Grinder Pro
A burr grinder with settings fine enough for espresso.
AmazonGrosche Milano Moka Pot, 6 Cup
A 6-cup stovetop moka pot, a simple alternative to the classic Bialetti.
Amazon
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Choose for your preparation
Choose beans or ground coffee intended for your espresso machine. Match any capsule or pod to the system you use. Roast and blend change the flavour, so choose the profile you enjoy rather than judging by darkness alone.
Keep the coffee, make the espresso fresh
Follow the coffee package’s storage instructions. Prepare the drink when you are ready to serve it or use it in your recipe.
