Espresso is a concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. It is different from other types of coffee, which are usually brewed by drip or percolator methods. Espresso can be used in specialty coffee drinks and any type of coffee bean can be used to prepare it, but only “grind espresso” coffee should be used in an espresso machine.
Espresso is a particular way of preparing coffee. In other words, all espresso is coffee, but not all coffee is espresso. Coffee is a beverage made from the roasted seeds of the Coffea plant, or “coffee beans,” but there are many ways to turn the beans into a beverage.
In the United States, when you hear the word “coffee” or see it on a restaurant menu, it’s usually safe to assume that the beverage is brewed by the drip or percolator method. Espresso is generally called by that name to differentiate it from other types of coffee. In other countries, however, espresso is sometimes referred to simply as “coffee,” while what those in the United States most commonly drink may be called “American coffee” or may not be available.
Espresso is made by forcing a jet of high-pressure hot water through very finely ground coffee, while electric percolators and drip machines use gravity to move the water through the grounds. The high-pressure method results in a more concentrated, denser, darker, and stronger in flavor blend than gravity-brewed coffee, although the latter has a higher concentration of caffeine. In addition to being served on its own, espresso is used in a number of specialty coffee drinks, including lattes and mochas. It is suitable for these drinks because it is so concentrated that a relatively small amount can flavor an entire drink.
In the United States, coffee is sometimes sold as an “espresso roast,” typically a dark roast with an oily surface. However, any type of coffee bean at any roasting level can be used to prepare espresso. Many people prefer lighter roasts and the types of beans used are largely a matter of personal taste. Conversely, espresso beans should not be used to make espresso; they are equally suitable for drip coffee and other brewing methods.
It is important, however, to use only “grind espresso” coffee in an espresso machine, as other grinds are too coarse. Even this grind is too fine for many other coffee brewing methods. Using a very fine grind in a drip coffee maker, for example, will produce a bitter, ground-filled drink.
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