Espresso Basics

Espresso is one of the most common ways coffee is consumed around the world. It is often enjoyed by itself in many European countries, or as the base for a latte or flat white in North America and Australia. This course will touch on the basics of what espresso is, how it is used, and how to prepare it.

Espresso is prepared many different ways in different countries, but what is distinctly unique about it is its strength. Espresso refers to both a brewing method and brewed drink; it is a strong coffee beverage brewed under pressure. It is typically served as a single or double shot, which refers to the amount of coffee used and the amount of espresso produced.

For our purposes, we will narrow our definition to apply to an espresso machine, and we will use specialty coffee standards as our framework. Specialty coffee is defined as exemplary coffee that scores 80/100 points or higher and can therefore fetch higher prices than commodity coffee. Most coffee produced is sold for a set market price, determined by the supply and demand for the commodities market, similar to oil. By carefully growing high quality coffee, farmers can sell their coffee for higher prices, and we can enjoy access to tastier coffee. To fully capitalize on the taste experience of specialty coffee, we will follow a strict regimen for preparing espresso to ensure that the taste quality is passed onto the customer.