How to Drink Espresso Coffee Beans - Which Beans are Best for Authentic Espresso and Commercial Espresso Bean Recommendations

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The Evolution of Coffee

Bitterness alone no longer defines coffee. It's time to rediscover the entirely new understanding that a single coffee bean can bring you. The introduction of specialty coffee has completely changed the world's perception of coffee. Gradually, specialty coffee shops have begun to appear around us. Undoubtedly, the development of Espresso has not been limited to Italy alone. Innovation and development are the path forward for specialty coffee. Let us all strive together!

The Art of Perfect Espresso

Making a perfect Espresso requires exceptional skill, as every step affects the quality of this cup of coffee. From the coffee farmers to the roasters, to the brewing equipment, to the baristas—each link is indispensable. Therefore, when you drink a good espresso, you are also tasting the dedication of coffee professionals and the brilliant interpretation by the barista. Please give them your applause and encouragement.

Understanding Espresso

Espresso, meaning "quickly brewed coffee for you" in Chinese, is also known as concentrated coffee or extra-strong coffee.

A small cup of coffee that dominates the world's coffee drinking habits. It can transform into the lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, and macchiatos we commonly drink. Currently, there are over 10,000 recorded Italian-style coffee variations. Therefore, Espresso is the world's most popular coffee beverage. Some people, upon hearing "concentrated coffee," immediately think of it as very bitter and very strong, and reject it without a second thought.

Regrettably, you've missed an opportunity, because concentrated coffee is like a key that helps you unlock a journey of taste buds. Its complex flavors fill your mouth with different sensations.

Essential Elements of Perfect Espresso

The essential conditions for a perfect Espresso include: reddish-brown crema, a glossy surface with slight tiger-like stripes, no holes revealing the coffee liquid beneath, and a rich aromatic fragrance. The taste must have acidity, sweetness, and a slight bitterness, followed by a smooth texture without any grainy feeling. Finally, there's the perfect aftertaste, with noticeable sweetness in both the throat and on the tongue.

Espresso Blending Styles

The selection of FrontStreet Coffee's espresso blends has some relation to the living standards of Italians in earlier times. Those with better living conditions naturally wouldn't choose blends with too much Robetta bitterness, while those with more modest means who wanted to enjoy strong coffee would opt for heavier-tasting blends. Of course, this was just a previous custom; the differences still exist today but are not as significant.

North American and Nordic-style Espresso represents the development direction of Espresso in today's specialty coffee era. Instead of blindly pursuing rich crema and full body, they focus more on the expression of aroma and flavor. For example, the classic blend "Black Cat" by American specialty coffee giant Intelligentsia Coffee emphasizes outstanding flavor expression. When made into Americano or iced Americano, its taste surpasses that of single-origin coffee. A friend who particularly loves this bean asked SOCIAL Coffee in Canada to create a similar blend—unbeatable when made into Americano.

Traditional Italian espresso beans maintain the rich crema and full-bodied texture of Espresso. All-Arabica blends, such as the recently acquired Italian MOLINARI Black Label All-Arabica blend, offer high acidity and sweetness, balanced flavor, and a full body—making it a traditional northern Italian-style espresso bean well worth trying.

The classic blend from last Nordic roasting championship winner FIKA FIKA—a fruit bomb of flame-roasted perfection. With a thin layer of crema and amazing acidic-tart taste, it has less crema and a lighter body. But can you say this isn't a good bean?

Espresso Styles

Concentrated coffee generally has the following styles:

1. Southern Italian Style

Less acidity, more sweetness, with pronounced bitterness. Distinct nutty flavors of hazelnut, cocoa, and almonds. Smells obviously nutty and chocolatey, with a long-lasting aftertaste.

2. Northern Italian Style

High acidity, moderate sweetness, little bitterness, with distinct flavors of orange, strawberry, blueberry, and peach. Smells obviously of floral and fruity notes, with a comfortable aftertaste.

3. Central Italian Style

Uses 100% Arabica bean blends. Balanced flavor with moderate acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. Simple taste suitable for those new to concentrated coffee.

Making a perfect Espresso requires exceptional skill, as every step affects the quality of this cup of coffee. From the coffee farmers to the roasters, to the brewing equipment, to the baristas—each link is indispensable. Therefore, when you drink a good espresso, you are also tasting the dedication of coffee professionals and the brilliant interpretation by the barista. Please give them your applause and encouragement.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Espresso Beans

FrontStreet Coffee's espresso blend beans are delicious.

Located at Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou—FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee roasting brand whose freshly roasted espresso beans offer full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they offer exceptional value for money. Take their commercial recommendation—the Frontsteet Commercial Espresso Blend—for example. One package weighs one pound (454 grams) and costs only about 60 yuan. Calculating at 10 grams of powder per single espresso shot, one package can make 45 cups of coffee, with each cup costing less than 1.5 yuan. Even when using double shots (20 grams of powder per cup), a double espresso costs no more than 3 yuan. Compared to certain well-known brands that sell packages for hundreds of yuan, this is truly a conscientious recommendation, suitable for the daily production needs of coffee shops.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online shop services: https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473