What is a Espresso? All you need to know about Espresso Coffee

by Craft Coffee Canada June 24, 2025

What is a Espresso? All you need to know about Espresso Coffee

Espresso is more than just a small, strong cup of coffee, it's a brewing method, a flavour experience, and the foundation of many beloved café drinks. For coffee enthusiasts, understanding espresso is essential to appreciating the world of specialty coffee.

In this guide, we’ll explore what espresso is, how it’s made, the best beans to use, and how to enjoy it like a pro. Whether you’re a home barista or want to deepen your knowledge, this comprehensive breakdown covers everything you need to know.

What Is an Espresso?

Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee served in small shots, made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. Unlike drip coffee, which is brewed slowly, espresso is made in about 25 to 30 seconds, resulting in a rich, bold flavour with a signature layer of crema on top.

Despite its small size, espresso packs a punch in both caffeine and complexity. It’s also the base for drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and flat whites.

The Origins of Espresso

Espresso was born in Italy in the early 1900s, designed to offer a quick, flavourful cup of coffee in busy cafés. The word espresso means “pressed out” in Italian, referring to the method of pushing water through tightly packed coffee grounds.

Today, espresso is a global symbol of quality coffee, with third-wave cafés and home baristas around the world perfecting their own techniques and recipes.

How Is Espresso Made?

The espresso brewing process is as much art as it is science. It involves three essential components: pressure, temperature, and grind size.

Espresso Machine

A traditional espresso machine uses about 9 bars of pressure to extract coffee in under 30 seconds.

Grind Size

Espresso requires an extra-fine grind, almost like powdered sugar. Too coarse, and your espresso will be weak and sour. Too fine, and it’ll be bitter and over-extracted.

Tamping

Ground coffee is evenly tamped (compressed) into a portafilter to ensure uniform extraction.

Water Temperature

Ideally between 90°C and 96°C, hot water is pushed through the puck to produce 25–30 mL of liquid gold.

What Does Espresso Taste Like?

A well-pulled espresso should have a balanced flavour: a strong body, noticeable sweetness, moderate acidity, and low bitterness. The crema (a golden, velvety foam on top) adds texture and aroma.

Flavour profiles can vary greatly depending on the bean origin, roast level, and freshness. For example:

Ethiopian espresso might offer floral and fruity notes.
Brazilian espresso tends to be nutty and chocolatey.
Single-origin espresso offers more defined flavour profiles than blends.

Espresso vs. Regular Coffee: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Espresso	Other Coffees
Brewing Time	25–30 seconds	3–5 minutes
Grind Size	Very fine	Medium
Pressure	High (9 bars)	Gravity/drip
Serving Size	25–30 mL	240 mL (typical cup)
Flavour	Rich, intense, complex	Milder, smoother
Caffeine per mL	Higher	Lower

Best Beans for Espresso Coffee

Choosing the right coffee bean is critical for a great espresso. While many cafés use espresso blends, single-origin beans have gained popularity among specialty coffee lovers.

Recommended Bean Types:

Medium to dark roasts: Preferred for traditional espresso with bold flavour and crema.
Light roasts: Offer higher acidity and complex notes, great for modern espresso styles.

Brewing Espresso at Home: Tips for Success

Making café-quality espresso at home is entirely possible with the right gear and technique.

Essential Equipment:

Espresso machine (manual, semi-automatic, or automatic)
Burr grinder (for consistent fine grind)
Tamper
Digital scale
Freshly roasted beans

Home Barista Tips:

Use 18–20 grams of ground coffee for a double shot.
Time your shot: Aim for 25–30 seconds.
Purge the grouphead before brewing to stabilize temperature.
Dial in grind and dose until the espresso tastes balanced.

Crema: What It Is and Why It Matters

Crema is the light-brown foam that sits atop a freshly pulled espresso. It forms from carbon dioxide released during extraction and fine coffee oils emulsified under pressure.

Good crema is:

A sign of fresh beans and correct brewing
An indicator of espresso quality
Often used by judges in barista competitions

But beware—too much crema with little liquid underneath could mean under-extraction.

Health and Caffeine: Is Espresso Too Strong?

Espresso has more caffeine per millilitre than regular coffee, but because it's consumed in smaller amounts, a single shot (approx. 63 mg caffeine) is less than a full cup of drip coffee (approx. 95–120 mg).

In moderation, espresso can be part of a healthy diet and offers antioxidants and cognitive benefits.

FAQs About Espresso Coffee

1. What is a proper espresso shot size?

A traditional single espresso shot is about 25–30 mL. A double shot (commonly served in cafés) is 50–60 mL.

2. Can I use regular coffee beans for espresso?

Yes, but results vary. Espresso requires beans that can handle high pressure and fine grinding. Darker roasts tend to perform better in traditional espresso machines.

3. What makes a good espresso crema?

Fresh beans, correct grind size, proper tamping, and optimal pressure all contribute to rich, stable crema.

4. Is espresso stronger than drip coffee?

Per millilitre, yes—espresso is more concentrated. But overall, a full cup of drip coffee has more caffeine than a single shot of espresso.

5. How long do espresso beans stay fresh?

For peak flavour, use beans within 2–3 weeks of roasting. Always store in an airtight container away from heat and light.