Espresso Drinks Explained: Histories, Recipes and More…

Summary

In this episode of the Beginner's Guide to Coffee, the host takes viewers through the fascinating world of espresso-based drinks. Instead of providing exact recipes, the video focuses on the history, key characteristics, and expected flavor profiles of popular espresso drinks like espresso, ristretto, lungo, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, and many more. Viewers will also learn about the variations of these drinks, such as the Americano, flat white, and the caffe corretto, as well as the influence of modern coffee culture on traditional drinks. The video offers an insightful and accessible guide to understanding espresso drinks, whether you're a coffee novice or enthusiast.

Takeaways

• 😀 Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed under pressure, topped with crema, and varies in strength and preparation depending on factors like coffee-to-water ratio and brewing time.
• 😀 A ristretto is a variation of espresso with less liquid, creating a more intense, thicker drink by either restricting the flow or grinding finer for a slower extraction.
• 😀 A lungo is a longer espresso with a higher ratio of water to coffee, often using coarser grounds, resulting in a more diluted, lighter flavor.
• 😀 Espresso con panna is a simple espresso topped with whipped cream, usually served with darker roasts to balance bitterness.
• 😀 The macchiato originally had a little milk marked by foam on top, but now it's often served as a stronger drink with a thin layer of foam. The caramel macchiato, popularized by Starbucks, has caused confusion.
• 😀 Espresso romano is an espresso served with a lemon twist or slice, typically adding a touch of acidity to balance darker roasts.
• 😀 The cortado is traditionally a Spanish or Portuguese drink with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, though modern versions can vary in milk-to-coffee ratio.
• 😀 The piccolo latte, a smaller version of a latte, has a ratio of espresso to milk similar to a cortado, but with a bit more foam, and it's often confused with the cortado in specialty coffee shops.
• 😀 The Americano is an espresso diluted with hot water to mimic the taste of American coffee, with varying ratios of water to espresso.
• 😀 A cappuccino is a strong coffee drink with a thick foam layer on top, traditionally with a ratio of one-to-three or one-to-four, and served with microfoam for a smooth texture.

Q & A

What defines espresso as a coffee drink?

Espresso is a small, strong coffee brewed under pressure, typically topped with a red-brown foam called crema. It is usually made using 7 grams of coffee for a single shot, although modern espresso recipes often use more coffee to make a double shot.

What is the difference between a single and a double espresso?

A single espresso typically uses 7 grams of coffee, while a double espresso uses 14-20 grams of coffee. The double espresso is the standard in modern coffee shops.

What is a ristretto, and how is it made?

A ristretto is a more concentrated version of espresso, made with the same amount of ground coffee but less liquid. The typical ratio for ristretto is 1:1 or 1:1.5, making it thicker and more intense than a normal espresso.

How does a lungo differ from a regular espresso?

A lungo is an espresso with a higher water-to-coffee ratio, usually 1:3 to 1:6. It involves grinding the coffee more coarsely and allowing more liquid to pass through the grounds, resulting in a longer extraction time and a milder flavor compared to a regular espresso.

What is the history behind the macchiato?

The macchiato, meaning 'marked' or 'stained,' originally referred to an espresso with a small amount of milk, which was marked with a dot of foam. Over time, the drink evolved, with modern versions including a larger amount of steamed milk and sometimes latte art.

What is an espresso con panna?

An espresso con panna is simply an espresso topped with whipped cream or double cream. It is typically used to balance out the bitterness of darker roasted coffees.

How is an espresso romano served?

Espresso romano is served with a twist or slice of lemon. This drink adds a citrusy lift to the already acidic nature of espresso, often enjoyed with darker roasts.

What is a cortado, and how is it different from other espresso drinks?

A cortado is a Spanish or Portuguese drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk. In modern specialty coffee shops, the ratio can vary, sometimes leaning closer to a piccolo latte or macchiato.

What is the difference between an Americano and a long black?

An Americano is an espresso diluted with hot water, usually in a 1:3 to 1:5 ratio, while a long black, originating from Australia and New Zealand, typically uses a double ristretto poured over hot water, resulting in a stronger, slightly more textured drink.

What is a flat white, and where does it originate from?

A flat white is a small, strong latte typically made with a double shot of espresso and a smaller cup. The drink is characterized by its silky milk texture and minimal foam. The exact origin is debated between Australia and New Zealand.