Main Characteristics, Flavor, and Taste of Espresso Coffee - How to Drink, Preparation Methods, Standard Time, and Quality Introduction

As coffee culture sweeps across the country, coffee shops have gradually spread throughout streets and alleys, with Italian espresso being particularly popular for its quick and convenient characteristics. A rich aromatic espresso gives birth to various popular Italian coffee drinks, such as Americano, latte, mocha, and so on. FrontStreet Coffee will now discuss the characteristics of the "soul" of coffee shops - espresso.

Main Characteristics of Espresso

Espresso, also known as Espresso, is coffee liquid extracted quickly at high temperature by Italians using pressurized coffee machines, with a layer of golden-brown foam floating on the surface. Each coffee shop uses different espresso beans and extraction methods, so the flavors will vary, but a standard espresso will have the following two characteristics.

Cream

When we order an espresso at a coffee shop, the barista serves it immediately after extraction, and we can see a thick layer of golden foam floating on top, which we call Cream.

Coffee beans produce large amounts of gas during roasting. Water dissolves carbon dioxide from them under high pressure, but as the brewed coffee liquid gradually returns to normal atmospheric pressure, the coffee liquid cannot continue to trap all gas components, so countless small bubbles emerge from the liquid. These foam bubbles remain on the surface of the coffee liquid, looking like a stable layer of "bubbles." Rich and dense Cream means that the coffee beans used for the espresso are freshly roasted. Since gases within coffee beans continue to be released over time, the longer the distance from the roasting date, the lower the carbon dioxide content, and the fewer foam layers during extraction.

If an espresso has no Cream on top, it's likely that the coffee beans have been stored for too long, or perhaps the espresso was made and left undrunk for a long time, causing the foam to disappear. The darker the Cream color, usually the more intense the flavor. Due to the Maillard reaction that occurs in coffee beans at high temperatures, darker roasted coffee beans will have darker foam layers and a more mellow taste.

High Concentration

The extraction of an espresso requires releasing large amounts of soluble substances in just a few dozen seconds, so the coffee powder needs to be ground very finely and evenly. After passing through near-boiling hot water and high pressure of 9 atmospheres, the espresso concentration is very high, and all flavors are doubly concentrated, presenting a strong taste upon entry. After swallowing, various aromas remain in the mouth, with a persistent aftertaste. Therefore, when many coffee shops serve strong espresso, they will simultaneously provide guests with a glass of water.

How to Make Espresso

Many coffee enthusiasts have不知不觉 equipped their homes with various coffee devices, and friends who are fascinated by Italian coffee have even stocked up on espresso machines, preparing to extract it themselves. FrontStreet Coffee here uses the espresso served in our shop as a reference to briefly explain how to make an Espresso.

FrontStreet Coffee's coffee machine is a commercial single-head "Lelit Bianca," which can adjust extraction by changing pressure, with a maximum pressure of 11bar. Home coffee machines only need to reach 9bar pressure to satisfy extraction and milk frothing functions, paired with an espresso grinder.

FrontStreet Coffee uses a double basket capacity, with about 18-20 grams of coffee powder, and FrontStreet Coffee uses 20 grams of coffee powder when serving. Typically, the ratio of coffee powder to coffee liquid will be between 1:1.5-1:2.5. FrontStreet Coffee's extraction ratio is 1:2, meaning 20 grams of coffee powder extracts 40 grams of coffee liquid. Time is related to the flow rate of the coffee powder. Generally, single extraction time is controlled between 20-35 seconds, because coffee usually tastes thin within 20 seconds, while超过35秒容易过萃而出现焦苦味. FrontStreet Coffee's espresso mostly falls within the 28-30 second range.

FrontStreet Coffee first wipes the basket dry, turns on the grinder, grinds a double portion of coffee powder, places it on an electronic scale for adjustment, reaching 20 grams. Then use a tool to distribute the powder evenly, compact the coffee puck firmly to ensure more stable coffee extraction. Then turn on the extraction switch to release water, moistening the brew head while washing away any coffee residue stuck above it, gently lock the portafilter onto the brew head, and start the extraction. When the electronic scale shows 40 grams of coffee liquid extracted, at about 30 seconds, you can pull down the extraction switch. Pour the coffee liquid into an Espresso cup and enjoy.

The taste and texture of Espresso are related to the coffee beans used. The espresso served at FrontStreet Coffee's shop uses FrontStreet Coffee's Sunflower Warm Sunshine Blend. It's made by blending FrontStreet Coffee's Honduras Sherry coffee and FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopia Natural Red Cherry in a 7:3 ratio. When made into Espresso, it has rich oils, very obvious whiskey aroma, with vanilla biscuits and berry acidity upon entry, solid flavor, and after drinking, the entire mouth is filled with various aromas.

Espresso can also be diluted with water, which is the common Americano on the menu, fragrant and refreshing. Adding milk makes latte coffee, presenting the delicious sweetness of chocolate and cream.

Espresso Blend Coffee Bean Recommendations

In addition to the whiskey-flavored FrontStreet Coffee Sunflower Warm Sunshine Blend coffee, FrontStreet Coffee's bean list also has three other cost-effective FrontStreet Coffee espresso blend coffee beans for everyone to choose from. The extracted espresso mainly presents nutty notes, and each blend has subtle differences due to different ratios used.

1. Classic Rich Type - FrontStreet Coffee Commercial Blend Coffee Beans

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

The extracted espresso has rich golden-brown oils and nutty aroma. When tasting, there will be a burnt coffee bitterness, but accompanied more by a creamy, full-bodied texture. After swallowing, the bitterness also dissipates, leaving a fragrant aftertaste, suitable for daily coffee shop service.

2. Slightly Acidic Rich Type - FrontStreet Coffee Basic Blend Coffee Beans

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

Yunnan small bean coffee brings soft acidity paired with the rich aroma of Brazil Cerrado coffee. The espresso has caramel, nuts, and soft plum acidity. This cost-effective espresso blend coffee bean is suitable for users who prioritize cost and have general flavor requirements for opening shops and home use.

3. Balanced Strong Aroma Type - FrontStreet Coffee Specialty Blend Coffee Beans

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

Colombian coffee is added to the classic Brazilian coffee's nutty notes, presenting dark chocolate flavor in the espresso, with caramel sweetness and full roasting aroma, meeting the daily needs of coffee shops.

Finally, if you want the extracted espresso to present the various flavors described by FrontStreet Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee suggests choosing freshly roasted coffee beans. Coffee beans need 7-10 days of degassing after roasting, then enter the full-flavor enjoyment period. At this time, the extracted espresso is more stable. To ensure everyone who orders can drink freshly roasted coffee beans, FrontStreet Coffee ships coffee beans that are freshly roasted within 5 days, so everyone receives them while they're still in their rich aroma stage.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange, more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style)

For more specialty coffee beans, please add private WeChat FrontStreet Coffee (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