Contents
Overview
Espresso
Espresso
Type of strong coffee
Not to be confused with [Nespresso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nespresso "Nespresso") or [L'Espresso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Espresso "L'Espresso").
For other uses, see Espresso (disambiguation) "Espresso (disambiguation)").
A cup of espresso served in [Ventimiglia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventimiglia "Ventimiglia"), ItalyAn espresso being pulled from an [E61](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-61 "E-61")-style [espresso machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso_machine "Espresso machine") with a bottomless (naked) portafilter, 2014
Espresso ([/ɛˈsprɛsoʊ/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English "Help:IPA/English")[Play audio](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/b/bb/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Back_ache-espresso.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Back_ache-espresso.wav.mp3 "Play audio")ⓘ-Back_ache-espresso.wav "File:LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-espresso.wav"), Italian:[\[eˈsprɛsso\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Italian "Help:IPA/Italian")) is a concentrated form of [coffee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee "Coffee") produced by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-1) Originating in [Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy "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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso_machine "Espresso machine") use pressure to extract a highly concentrated coffee with a complex flavor profile in a short time, usually 25–30 seconds.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-2) The result is a beverage with a higher concentration of suspended and dissolved solids than regular [drip coffee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drip_coffee "Drip coffee"), giving espresso its characteristic body and intensity.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-5) 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.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-6)[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-7)
Espresso serves as the base for other coffee drinks, including [cappuccino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappuccino "Cappuccino"), [caffè latte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latte "Latte"), and [americano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_americano "Caffè americano"). It can be made with various types of coffee beans and roast levels, allowing for a wide range of flavors and strengths, despite the widespread myth that it is made with dark-roast coffee beans.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-8) The quality of an espresso is influenced by factors such as the grind size, water temperature, pressure, and the [barista](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barista "Barista")'s skill in tamping (packing and leveling) the coffee grounds.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-10)
The cultural significance of espresso extends beyond its consumption, playing a central role in [coffee shop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeehouse "Coffeehouse") culture and the [third-wave coffee movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-wave_coffee "Third-wave coffee"), which emphasizes artisanal production and high-quality beans.
Etymology and spelling
A man pulls a shot of espresso while leaning out of a train in a 1922 advertisement for a "caffé espresso" machine. The imagery references the shared associations of speed and steam, as well as name: in Italy, a class of trains is called "espresso".[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMorris2010164-11)
Although some English dictionaries translate _espresso_ as 'pressed-out',[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso#cite_note-12) the word also conveys the sense of 'expressly for you' and 'quickly':
> The words _express_, _expres_ and _espresso_ each have several meanings in English, French and Italian. The fir
Key Facts
- Origin
- digest-url
- Category
- culture
- Type
- topic
- Format
- digest