Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is served in small, strong shots and is the base for many coffee drinks. It is made by forcing pressurized hot water through very finely ground coffee beans using an espresso machine. The result is a liquid stronger than coffee topped with a “crema,” a brown foam that forms when air bubbles combine with the soluble oils of fine-ground coffee and sits on top of a properly pulled shot of espresso. Espresso is thicker than regular coffee and has a layer of “crema” on top, which results from air bubbles mixing with the coffee’s oils.

Espresso can be enjoyed on its own or used to make a long list of drinks including a cappuccino, latte, macchiato, cortado, flat white, marocchino, americano, and more. The exact flavor profile of espresso will vary depending on the coffee roast, but it has all of the same flavors of coffee but amplified—bitter, lightly sweet, acidic, toasty.

In summary, espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is thicker and stronger than regular coffee, and is served in small, strong shots. It can be enjoyed on its own or used as the base for many coffee drinks.