How Should You Drink Espresso?

Many friends, when first stepping into a coffee shop, get bewildered by the various options on the menu and might end up ordering an espresso by chance.

What happens next is predictable. Due to the small volume and high concentration of espresso, many first-timers will wear a "pained expression" and thus add it to their blacklist. However, this is simply because you haven't learned the right way to taste espresso, causing you to take in either bitter oils or the thin, harsh taste of the espresso liquid in one sip. Once you learn how to appreciate a cup of espresso, this espresso will become incredibly pleasant and fascinating (probably).

So, how should we taste espresso coffee? Espresso is a small cup of coffee obtained through the pressurized rapid extraction of an espresso machine. From many perspectives, it is a beverage similar to red wine in terms of "how to drink it." Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee will break it down into three parts: "color, aroma, and taste." We will analyze espresso from these three aspects to help friends better appreciate the wonderful aspects of espresso!

Color

First, let's observe whether this cup of espresso has an attractive appearance, which is the golden layer of oils on the surface. This is precisely what is known as the soul of the entire espresso.

Crema is composed of carbon dioxide, insoluble oils, and aromatic substances! The quality of the crema largely determines the texture and taste of the espresso. Therefore, espresso with rich and delicate crema is very important! When this cup of espresso has rich and delicate crema, we must take large sips when tasting it, allowing the cream-like, honey-textured oils to coat our tongue and palate, indulging in the smoothness! Espresso made from light-roasted beans will have a relatively thinner crema texture.

Aroma

It can be said that the first impression of aroma is also very important. It's even an "entry ticket" that determines whether you want to try it. However, espresso doesn't exude aroma like pour-over coffee. Its aroma spreads less intensely, and we need to bring our nose close to the cup to detect the volatile aromatic substances it releases.

(Friends, taste first~) Espresso made from traditional dark-roasted beans will have a rich aroma of nuts, chocolate, and cream. You might associate them with Oreo cookies, buttered toast, or cream cake~ Espresso made from novel light-roasted beans will have completely different aromas - light floral notes and bright fruit acidity, very enticing!

Taste

This is the most difficult part of espresso to accept! Because when we first experience it, we basically only taste the burnt bitterness and harshness of the espresso.

But actually, it's not that unpleasant. Savor it carefully and you'll discover it has rich flavors of nuts, dark chocolate, and caramel! As the coffee is completely swallowed, we will feel the persistent sweetness that remains in the mouth, which is also called the aftertaste! Overall, it gives a feeling like "vibrant black," which is quite pleasant!

How to Drink Espresso

First, take a sip of the accompanying ice water to cleanse the palate of any miscellaneous flavors.

Then, use a spoon to stir the espresso, evenly mixing the crema with the coffee liquid.

Bring your nose close to the cup and smell the aroma it releases, then take a large sip of coffee, feeling the texture of the espresso with your tongue.

After drinking, continue to exhale with your mouth closed to feel the aftertaste and aroma brought by the espresso. And that's the complete process of tasting espresso! But remember, within 25 seconds of being made is the golden tasting period for espresso. After this time, its aroma and crema will gradually dissipate, and as the temperature drops, its acidity will become sharper, so drink it early~

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FrontStreet Coffee

No. 10, Bao'an Qianjie, Yandun Road, Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473