Drinking espresso is the act of savoring a shot of concentrated coffee, traditionally prepared by forcing pressurized hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. Espresso gained popularity in Italy in the early 20th century, particularly after Desiderio Pavoni's innovations in 1905 led to the widespread adoption of espresso machines in Italian cafes. This innovation not only revolutionized coffee preparation but also laid the foundation for a unique coffee culture in Italy, where 'bere l'espresso' (drinking espresso) became more than just a beverage — it became a way of life.
In Italian coffee culture, the best way to bere l'espresso starts with ordering your coffee, inspecting the presentation of the espresso, stirring the crema (the characteristic golden foam), and sipping slowly to appreciate the complex flavors. When serving espresso drink, it is often accompanied by a teaspoon and a glass of plain or sparkling water to cleanse the palate and enjoy the nuanced flavors and aromas of the coffee. This ritual embodies the Italian philosophy of "dolce far niente," or the sweetness of doing nothing. It emphasizes the importance of slowing down and savoring life's simple pleasures.
There are nine steps to drinking espresso in a traditional Italian way.
- Learn proper pronunciation
- Order correctly
- Inspect the espresso
- Stir the crema
- Cleanse your palate
- Take an initial sip
- Drink Slowly or Slurp
- Avoid Adding Sugar
- Make it cold in the summer
1. Learn Proper Pronunciation to Drink Espresso
The proper pronunciation of "espresso" is "eh-spress-oh," with a clear "es" sound at the beginning and emphasis on the second syllable. This correct pronunciation is essential as it shows respect for the coffee culture and enhances your appreciation of the drink. The term "espresso" comes from the Italian word for "expressed" or "pressed out," referring to the method of forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee. It's important to note that the correct term is "espresso," not "expresso," which is a common mispronunciation.
This image shows the correct pronunciation of "espresso" as "eh-spreh-so."
Espresso is spelled "e-s-p-r-e-s-s-o." In Italian, it's pronounced the same way: "eh-spress-oh." Similarly, in Spanish and French, it's also "espresso," maintaining the same pronunciation across these languages. When ordering an espresso in Italy, use polite phrases like "per favore" (please) and "grazie" (thank you).
2. Order Correctly to Drink Espresso
Ordering espresso can vary depending on whether you're in Italy or a specialty coffee shop elsewhere. In Italy, it's customary to order and drink your espresso while standing at the bar, using the phrase "un caffè" (pronounced "oon kah-FEH"). This is the standard term Italians use for a single espresso, which is a small (30mL) shot made by forcing hot water (88°C) through 7 grams of finely ground coffee at 9 bars of pressure. Be polite and use basic Italian phrases like "Per favore" (please), pronounced as "pehr fah-VOH-reh," and "Grazie" (thank you), pronounced as "GRAHT-see-eh."
In specialty coffee shops, such as those found in Seattle, Denver, or Houston, you often have the option to pre-select the type of coffee beans based on their taste and aroma, which is influenced by their origin (e.g., Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala).
Espresso is typically served immediately in a small (50-70mL), pre-warmed ceramic cup to maintain its temperature and crema. The visual appeal of the espresso, including crema quality and consistency, sets the stage for the entire tasting experience. Now that the espresso is prepared and presented, it's time to take a closer look before taking that first sip.
3. Inspect the Espresso Before You Drink it
Inspecting espresso before drinking involves visual cues and engages all your senses. It's a multi-sensory evaluation to diagnose the espresso's quality and preparation. Inspecting espresso begins with assessing the aroma, which should be fragrant and inviting, often revealing notes of chocolate, caramel, nuts, or fruit. Next, examine the crema, a rich, reddish-brown foam that forms due to the emulsification of coffee oils during extraction. A well-prepared espresso will have a thick, persistent crema with a fine, velvety texture. As Josh Tarlo, UK Barista Champion from Kiss the Hippo coffee shop, puts it, "The crema should be like a tapestry, with intricate patterns and a slow, even dissipation."
The Italian National Espresso Institute (INEI) defines good espresso as having a hazel-brown to dark-brown foam with tawny reflexes, a fine texture without large bubbles, and a balanced ratio of liquid to crema. However, "good" espresso is somewhat subjective, with preferences varying for crema color and texture. Nonetheless, certain principles remain consistent: the crema should be even and persistent, indicating a balanced extraction.
The image shows a cup of espresso resting on a saucer with a spoon on the side, topped with a layer of crema.
A poorly prepared espresso may exhibit a pale, thin, or overly bubbly crema, often a sign of under-extraction. Conversely, a dark, burnt, or spotty crema can indicate over-extraction. Channeling, where water finds the path of least resistance through the coffee bed, can result in a streaky or uneven crema.
4. Stir the Crema to Drink Espresso
Stirring the espresso crema integrates it with the rest of the espresso, ensuring that the oils and dissolved solids captured during extraction are evenly distributed. This enhances the overall flavor, aroma, and texture of the espresso. To stir espresso before drinking, you don't need any fancy stirrer tools or gadgets, just use the provided spoon to gently stir the crema into the coffee for 5-10 seconds.
Espresso crema, a frothy layer formed atop the espresso during extraction, is created when hot water under high pressure emulsifies the oils in the coffee beans. This process also captures some fines and gases released during extraction. The ideal amount of crema should cover the entire surface of the espresso in the cup, typically about 1/10th of the total volume of the espresso shot. This amount indicates a well-extracted espresso and suggests that the coffee has been brewed correctly and its ready to drink. This image shows how to stir the crema in espresso cup.
5. Cleanse Your Palate to Drink Espresso
Cleansing the palate with plain water, sparkling water, or unsalted crackers is a common practice when drinking espresso to reduce the effects of sensory adaptation and habituation. Sensory adaptation, as described in a 1991 research review in the Journal of Comparative Physiology A, is the phenomenon where taste bud receptors become less sensitive to repeated stimuli, diminishing the ability to perceive flavors accurately.
Palate cleansing before tasting espresso helps prevent flavor fatigue by resetting the taste buds (the anatomical structures that mediate the sense of taste) and restoring their sensitivity. This allows for a more precise and unaltered tasting experience with each new sip. This image describes the location of taste buds on the human tongue.
To cleanse the palate, simply take a one-ounce sip of room-temperature water and let it wash over your tongue and palate. Gently rub your tongue against the roof of your mouth to ensure it feels clean and free from any residue before drinking espresso.
6. Take an Initial Sip to Drink Espresso
Take a small sip to experience the immediate impact on your palate. Hold the cup by the handle and bring it to your lips, ensuring your nose is close enough to continue enjoying the aroma. Tilt the cup and allow the espresso to spread across your tongue, covering all areas of your palate to fully experience the range of flavors.
This first sip is crucial, as Daniele Ricci, 2023 Barista World Champion, explains. It allows you to assess the balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, evaluate the body and mouthfeel, and note the aftertaste – a key indicator of quality. How often you sip after that is a personal choice, but don't skip this initial step to identify the unique characteristics and nuances of your espresso.
7. Drink Slowly or Slurp When Drinking Espresso
Sipping or slurping your espresso, while not mandatory, can significantly enhance your enjoyment. Taking small sips or gently slurping the coffee allows it to coat your entire palate, amplifying the sensory experience and echoing the initial tasting technique. Just as you started by cleansing your palate and taking deliberate sips, continue this approach throughout your drink.
As coffee expert Daniele Ricci explains, this method helps you better discern the intricate flavor notes, acidity, and body of the espresso, similar to how coffee professionals evaluate the complete profile during cupping sessions. This mindful approach ensures you fully savor the espresso, just as a trained coffee judge would in a competition.
8. Avoid Adding Sugar When You Drink Espresso
Avoid adding sugar to espresso to fully appreciate its natural flavors and complexities, as embraced by coffee judges and barista champions. Espresso does not need sugar, and adding sugar can mask the rich, bitter, and nuanced characteristics of the drink, which are essential for a true tasting experience. While technically you can add sugar to espresso, it's generally frowned upon, especially in Italy where espresso is traditionally enjoyed unsweetened. If you want a sweet espresso, it's better to choose light roast coffee beans that provide a naturally sweet flavor without adding sugar, sweeteners, or unnecessary flavors.
While enjoying espresso hot is the classic way to savor its flavors, there are also ways to enjoy it during warmer months.
9. Make It Cold In the Summer to Drink Espresso
In warmer months, adapting your espresso routine by enjoying it cold is a great way to stay refreshed. This could involve brewing espresso and chilling it, pouring it over ice, or incorporating it into delicious cold espresso drinks such as iced lattes, iced americanos, or even cold brew espresso. These methods not only provide a revitalizing twist to the classic espresso but also maintain its rich flavors and aromas in a new, enjoyable format.
How to Make Espresso Taste Better?
From a barista's perspective, improving espresso flavor involves dialing in the shot by using fresh beans, optimizing grind size, distributing coffee grounds evenly, tamping properly, and maintaining clean equipment to enhance aroma and taste. For those who don't prefer straight espresso, enhancing its flavor profile can be achieved by adding sweeteners, dairy products, or combining it with other beverages.
- Drink Espresso with Milk: Adding milk to espresso creates a smoother, creamier beverage that balances the strong, bold flavors of the espresso. Examples include the classic latte, which combines a shot of espresso with steamed milk and a small amount of foam, and the cappuccino, which features equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam for a rich, layered experience.
- Drink Espresso with Ice Cream: Combining espresso with ice cream creates a delightful treat that balances the intense flavors of coffee with the creamy sweetness of ice cream. Two popular examples of this combination are the Italian classic affogato, where a shot of hot espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato, and the espresso milkshake, which blends espresso with ice cream and milk for a rich, refreshing beverage.
- Drink Espresso with Coffee Liqueur: Drinking espresso with coffee liqueur creates a rich and flavorful beverage that blends the intense taste of espresso with the sweet and aromatic notes of the liqueur. This pairing is showcased in classic cocktails such as the Espresso Martini, which mixes espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka, and the Black Russian, made with coffee liqueur and vodka served over ice.
- Drink Espresso with Lemon Peel: Adding a twist of lemon peel to espresso enhances its flavor profile by introducing a bright, citrusy note that complements the coffee's natural bitterness and acidity. This classic combination can be enjoyed in drinks such as the Espresso Romano, where a shot of espresso is served with a lemon peel garnish, or the Café Lemon, where the lemon peel is infused directly into the espresso for a more pronounced citrus flavor.
- Drink Espresso with Sugar: Adding sugar to espresso can enhance its flavor by balancing the bitterness of the coffee, making it more palatable for those who find espresso too bitter. Examples of espresso drinks that commonly include sugar are the Espresso Romano, which is served with a lemon slice and sugar, and the Café Cubano, a traditional Cuban espresso sweetened with demerara sugar.
- Drink Espresso with Tonic Water: Combining espresso with tonic water creates a refreshing and invigorating beverage. It balances the bitterness of coffee with the fizzy, slightly sweet and bitter flavor of tonic. Popular examples include the Espresso Tonic, where a shot of espresso is poured over ice and topped with tonic water, and the Cascara Tonic, which mixes espresso, tonic water, and cascara syrup for a unique twist.
How to Brew Espresso Drink?
Brewing espresso involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure to produce a concentrated, rich coffee with a layer of crema on top. However, when asking "how to make espresso at home," you need an espresso machine, freshly roasted coffee beans, a burr grinder, a tamper, and filtered water.
When To Drink Espresso?
Espresso can be enjoyed whenever you crave a concentrated, flavorful coffee experience. It's a versatile beverage that can serve as a morning pick-me-up, an afternoon treat, or an after-dinner digestif. While enjoyed worldwide, espresso is prepared and consumed differently across cultures. For example, Italians often enjoy a quick shot at a bar as a morning caffeine boost, while Mexicans savor it in the afternoon.
How often you drink espresso is a personal choice influenced by several factors. Espresso has a higher caffeine concentration than drip coffee, so those sensitive to caffeine may want to moderate their intake. Pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions should consult a doctor about their espresso consumption.
Can You Drink Espresso When Pregnant?
Drinking espresso during pregnancy should be done with caution due to the caffeine content. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is recommended that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to below 200 mg per day to minimize risks such as miscarriage and other reproductive issues. This roughly equates to about one to two cups of coffee per day, depending on the specific type and strength of the coffee. Additionally, drinking too much espresso in the morning can interfere with digestion due to its caffeine content.
Can You Drink Espresso While Fasting?
Yes, you can drink espresso while doing intermittent fasting, water fasting, or religious fasting, according to a 2021 study by Christina M. Sciarrillo and colleagues from Oklahoma State University. Since drinking black coffee while fasting does not significantly affect fasting triglycerides or glucose levels, it is generally considered safe to drink espresso daily during a fast without compromising the validity of metabolic assessments.
Can You Drink Espresso Everyday?
Yes, you can drink espresso daily if you are a generally healthy adult and do not exceed six shots, equivalent to roughly 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This aligns with a 2017 research review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which considers 400mg of caffeine per day as the upper safety limit for healthy adults without experiencing adverse effects such as jitters, headaches, and insomnia. However, individuals with certain health conditions or sensitivities should exercise caution and consult their healthcare professionals.
Can You Drink Espresso at Night?
Drinking espresso at night is generally not recommended due to its high caffeine content. Caffeine can interfere with sleep by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness. Consuming caffeine late in the day can disrupt sleep patterns, as caffeine's effects can last for several hours. It's generally recommended to drink espresso during the day and avoid caffeine consumption at least six hours before bedtime to prevent sleep disturbances.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy a Freshly Brewed Espresso?
The best way to enjoy a freshly brewed espresso is to savor it al fresco in the afternoon sun, ideally paired with a captivating book and a gentle breeze. The warmth of the sun complements the rich, bold flavors of the espresso, while the leisurely setting encourages mindful sipping and appreciation of the moment.
At Powerbean Coffee, we meticulously roast our premium espresso beans to perfection, ensuring each cup delivers an unparalleled sensory experience. Whether you prefer to savor espresso straight or explore its endless possibilities in various coffee drinks, our selection of single-origin and blended espressos will elevate your coffee ritual. Visit Powerbean Coffee today and discover the perfect espresso to awaken your senses and fuel your day.
