Question 1

What Is Espresso?

Accepted Answer

Espresso is a specialized variety of coffee that originated in Italy. Instead of regular coffee grounds, espresso uses dark-roasted, fine coffee grounds and pressurized brewing to create a rich, thick, concentrated drink that's full of intense flavor. Because of how it's made and how strong and bold it is, espresso is served in shots, with a double shot being the most traditional and often the most common.

Question 2

How Is Espresso Made?

Accepted Answer

Because espresso requires specialized machinery, the average consumer is more likely to have it made by a barista than to make it themselves. That being said, some people prefer to make their drinks at home, and some people like to know how stuff works!

Question 3

Why Did Espresso Start Being Served with Water?

Accepted Answer

In short, nobody is entirely sure why espresso started being served with water. That doesn't mean there's a shortage of theories, though!

Question 4

Does It Matter What Kind of Glass the Water Is Served In?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't really matter what kind of glass your water is served with. It will probably be a small glass, though, because unless the espresso is really bad, you're not going to need a whole glass of water to either fill your stomach first or wash the espresso down afterward.

Question 5

Does the Water Have to Be Sparkling?

Accepted Answer

Some baristas serve espresso with sparkling water, while others serve it with still water. Some insist on mineral water, which can be either sparkling or still. In the end, though, it's really down to personal preference. If you're given a choice, choose the type of water that best cleanses your palate. Espresso aficionados most commonly recommend sparkling mineral water.

Question 6

Why is Espresso Sometimes Served with a Lemon Rind?

Accepted Answer

Coffee has both acidic notes and bitter notes. Espresso skews heavily toward bitter rather than acidic as a result of the pressurized extraction process. For those who don't care for the bitterness but still want to enjoy an espresso, a lemon rind can help balance out the bitterness with a bit more acidity.

Question 7

What Can I Mix with Espresso?

Accepted Answer

Espresso is great for mixing with other drinks to create a variety of coffee drinks. There's so much coffee flavor in such a small volume that it mixes quite well and presents virtually endless possibilities.

Question 8

What Is a Cortado?

Accepted Answer

Cortados are essentially small lattes. They're also similar to macchiatos and flat whites in that they have little or no foam, and they won't fill a standard coffee cup. However, they do have more liquid than a single or double shot of espresso, with a ratio of around 1:1.

Question 9

What Is a Gibraltar?

Accepted Answer

A Gilbraltar is an espresso with just a splash of steamed milk. These are a good choice for people who really want to taste their espresso but still love the creaminess that milk adds to the drink.

Question 10

What Is a Demitasse?

Accepted Answer

A demitasse is a little cup that's used to serve espresso or Turkish coffee. It's a French word whose roots literally mean ?half cup.? It holds two to three ounces of liquid. It's also referred to as an espresso cup.