Italian Espresso Coffee

There's noting that can quite match the full-bodied, rich taste of Italian espresso coffee. Espresso was invented in Italy in the early 1900s, made from Beans from Arabia. Espresso coffee may have began in Italian, but its popularity is definitely worldwide, as evidenced by the boom in recent decades in specialty coffee shops, such as Starbucks. With such shops popping up everywhere, getting a cup of great Italian-style espresso coffee is now available at your favorite bookstore, grocery, or just down the corner.

Enjoying Italian Espresso Coffee

Espresso is traditionally made by forcing steam or very hot water through very finely ground coffee. The result of this procedure is a drink that is somewhat thicker than American coffee, has a stronger, richer taste, and carries a bigger caffeine wallop than American coffee. The traditional Italian espresso coffee has a foamy head on top, and is made up of the frothy residue from the brwing process. Espresso, when taken straight, is usually served in a small, or demi-tasse cup. Many add sugar to help with the taste (or perhaps just a bit of sugar sprinkled on top of the foamy head ).

Pure espresso coffee is not to everybodies likeing. Never at a loss for culinary ideas, the Italians have developed several delightful variations on the espresso theme. Capucchino, a coffee drink usually composed of about two-thirds espresso, a third steamed milk, and topped with milk foam, often sprinkled with cocoa powder. The drink takes its name from the Capuchin order of Catholic monks, who wear hoods ("cappuccino") similar in color to a properly prepared capuccino drink.

Other coffee enthusiasts favor latte' ("caffe latte'," or "coffee with milk"), Latte consists of about one third espresso and two thirds milk, often with a topping of milk foam. Macchiato ("caffe macchiato," or "spotted coffee") contains mostly espresso with a bit of milk, and sometimes a spoonful of milk foam on the top. Macchiato is often served in a demi-tasse, like espresso, since it is very similar in composition to straight Italian espresso coffee.

Brewing Your Own

With a little practice and a espresso machine , you can brew your own great-tasting Italian espresso coffee right in your own home. Good Espresso machines start at just over $200, and can run well in excess of $5,000, depending on how serious you are about your Italian espresso coffee (and how much your budget can tolerate). Experienced baristas (coffee brewers) say that the main trick to getting a great cup of Italian espresso coffee is having the water at just the right temperature, and forcing it through the coffee at just the right pressure.