What is Espresso Coffee? Standard Preparation Methods, Taste and Flavor Characteristics

Although FrontStreet Coffee's menu features only four espresso-based coffees, there are actually some equally classic varieties hidden behind them, such as the intensely flavored espresso. Espresso has a relatively small audience in China, but in its birthplace of Italy, it's a national beverage.

The Essence of Espresso Coffee

Espresso is a method invented by Italians in the 19th century for quickly extracting coffee liquid through high temperature and pressure, served in dedicated small cups. Since drip coffee takes a long time to brew, Italians needed a faster extraction and drinking method to save time. The simple yet rich Espresso was the perfect choice—refreshing and time-saving. Therefore, a good cup of espresso is also the soul of espresso-based coffee.

The Characteristics of Quality Espresso

A quality espresso has a beautiful layer of golden crema, which we call Cream. The appearance of this cream is inseparable from nine atmospheres of pressure. Water in a heated, pressurized state extracts soluble substances from the coffee grounds, emulsifying the naturally occurring fats and oils in the coffee during this process. Meanwhile, freshly roasted coffee beans contain carbon dioxide. During the espresso-making process, this carbon dioxide is pressurized and dissolves into the coffee. A layer of dark brown foam covers its surface—this is the crema produced by espresso extraction, typically 4-5 millimeters thick, containing aroma-releasing molecules.

The History and Evolution of Espresso

The emergence of espresso is thanks to Italians inventing the espresso machine. The world's first espresso machine dates back to the early 20th century. After improvements by Milanese inventor Luigi Bezzera, a coffee machine with individual brewing heads and portafilters was born. This "fast coffee" became popular not only in Italy but throughout the European continent. Later, it was spread worldwide by Italians living abroad, becoming the popular coffee we commonly see today.

FrontStreet Coffee's Espresso Blends

The flavor of espresso is determined by the coffee beans used. To balance the coffee's flavor and achieve a richer taste, most coffee shops choose medium-dark roasted blend coffee beans. FrontStreet Coffee, through continuous in-depth understanding of the flavor characteristics of coffee beans from different regions, uses different proportions to let the characteristics of coffee beans complement each other, balancing the flavors presented in espresso. After multiple comparative tests, FrontStreet Coffee has launched four types of espresso blend coffee beans.

Classic Rich Type—FrontStreet Coffee Commercial Blend

Robusta Washed Coffee Beans (10%) + Colombia Washed Coffee Beans (30%) + Brazil Semi-Dry Coffee (60%)

The produced espresso has abundant golden crema with nutty aroma. When tasting, you'll experience the aromatic bitterness of coffee, but it's accompanied by a creamy, full-bodied texture. After swallowing, the bitterness dissipates, leaving a lingering fragrance.

Slightly Acidic Rich Type—FrontStreet Coffee Basic Blend

Yunnan Washed Small Bean Coffee (30%) + Brazil Semi-Dry Coffee Beans (70%)

Yunnan small bean coffee with its gentle acidity pairs with the rich aroma of Brazil Cerrado coffee, creating an espresso with notes of caramel, nuts, and soft plum acidity.

Balanced Aromatic Type—FrontStreet Coffee Premium Blend

Colombia Washed Coffee Beans (30%) + Brazil Semi-Dry Coffee Beans (70%)

Colombian coffee is added to the classic nutty notes of Brazilian coffee, presenting dark chocolate flavors in the espresso, with caramel sweetness and full-bodied roasted aroma.

Delicate Wine Aroma Type—Sunflower Warm Sun Blend

Ethiopia Natural Red Cherry Coffee Beans (30%) + Honduras Sherry Barrel Coffee Beans (70%)

When made into espresso, it enters with very intense dark chocolate flavor, with strong caramel notes. The aroma released after swallowing is endlessly memorable. Whether it's Americano diluted with water or latte enhanced with milk, both present rich aroma and taste.

Freshness and Extraction Tips

To ensure everyone receives freshly roasted coffee beans when ordering, FrontStreet Coffee ships beans roasted within 5 days. This means you might receive them during the degassing period. After roasting, blended beans need 7-10 days for degassing, then enter the full-flavored enjoyment period, during which extracted espresso is more stable.

Since espresso requires rapid extraction through high pressure and temperature from an espresso machine, the intensity of various flavors is very high. FrontStreet Coffee believes that extracting quality espresso requires adjustments based on different coffee machines, grinders, coffee beans, and usage environments.

If you're just starting with espresso extraction, you can refer to the initial parameters provided by FrontStreet Coffee for adjustments. FrontStreet Coffee uses 20 grams of coffee powder, following a 1:2 coffee-to-liquid ratio, extracting 40 grams of coffee liquid under 9 bar pressure, with time controlled between 25-30 seconds. Finally, taste and compare to adjust the espresso's flavor up or down. If the taste is weak, it might be under-extracted, and you need to increase extraction rate by adjusting the grind finer or increasing the dose. When the taste is intensely bitter and still doesn't present aroma even when diluted with water, it might be over-extracted. FrontStreet Coffee suggests reducing the dose or coarsening the grind to speed up the flow rate, thereby reducing extraction concentration.

To make good espresso, everyone needs to pay attention to more small details. For example, cleaning the portafilter and filter basket in the brewing head, grinding coffee fresh before extraction to avoid aroma loss, distributing and tamping evenly and vertically, observing the color state changes of the coffee liquid during extraction as well as the liquid weight and time, which will also help find directions for adjustment later.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

For more premium coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473