 A cup of espresso from the comune (municipality) of Ventimiglia, Italy | |
| Country of origin | Italy |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1901 |
| Color | Brown, black |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 8.4 kJ (2.0 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||
0. | |||||||||||||||||||
0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||
| Water | 97.8 g | ||||||||||||||||||
| Theobromine | 0 mg | ||||||||||||||||||
| Caffeine | 212 mg | ||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[1] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[2] | |||||||||||||||||||
Espresso (/ɛˈsprɛsoʊ/ , Italian: [eˈsprɛsso]) is a concentrated form of coffee produced by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. Originating in Italy, espresso has become one of the most popular coffee-brewing methods worldwide. It is characterized by its small serving size, typically 25–30 ml, and its distinctive layers: a dark body topped with a lighter-colored foam called crema.
Espresso machines use pressure to extract a highly concentrated coffee with a complex flavor profile in a short time, usually 25–30 seconds. The result is a beverage with a higher concentration of suspended and dissolved solids than regular drip coffee, giving espresso its characteristic body and intensity.[3][4] Despite the stronger taste profile, espresso typically contains fewer milligrams of caffeine than an equal serving of drip-brewed coffee.[5]
Espresso serves as the base for other coffee drinks, including cappuccino, caffè latte, and americano. It can be made with various types of coffee beans and roast levels, allowing for a wide range of flavors and strengths. The quality of an espresso is influenced by factors such as the grind size, water temperature, pressure, and the barista's skill in tamping the coffee grounds.
While espresso contains more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages, its typical serving size results in less caffeine per serving compared to larger drinks such as drip coffee. The cultural significance of espresso extends beyond its consumption, playing a central role in coffee shop culture and the third-wave coffee movement, which emphasizes artisanal production and high-quality beans.
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "The History of the Espresso". Esquires Coffee. February 12, 2020.
- ^ "Espresso Coffee Maker Through History". EspressoCoffeeBrewers.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Coffee versus Espresso: Unraveling the Caffeine Mystery". Compass Coffee. Retrieved November 2, 2024.