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What is espresso?

Espresso is the foundation of nearly all modern coffee specialties and is considered the most compact way to enjoy coffee in its full aromatic depth. Originally developed in Italy, it is now a worldwide symbol of fast, intense coffee enjoyment and forms the base for cappuccino, latte, flat white, and countless other drinks.

UK-barista machine coffee drip (1)

The heart of Italian coffee culture

Espresso is a concentrated coffee created by forcing hot water under high pressure (about 9 bar) through finely ground, firmly tamped coffee. The result is a small, strong shot with intense aromas, a dense texture, and a characteristic golden crema.A classic espresso consists of 7–8 g of coffee and about 25–30 ml of water, extracted in 25–30 seconds.

How is an espresso made?

Preparing a perfect espresso requires precision. The key factors are:

  • Fine grind size
  • Consistent pressure of about 9 bar
  • Extraction time of 25–30 seconds
  • A brew ratio of roughly 1:2 (e.g., 18 g of coffee → 36 g of espresso)
The interaction of these elements creates the typical balance of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness — a hallmark of espresso.

The perfect bean for your espresso

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