Lovers of potent coffee all pay homage to the Italians. Their invention of the espresso machine in the beginning of the 20th century showed the world how to produce a rich, strongly flavored coffee by using steam pressure to force hot water through finely ground beans.
The espresso machine has long been the appliance of choice for those who enjoy a velvety jolt of coffee with a heavy body.
Traditionally, espresso was enjoyed by Europeans and coffee lovers throughout the world. Lately, it has become popular in the U.S.
It is now ordered often in U.S. coffee houses including Starbucks. The Seattle-based retailer has made espresso a good foundation for a variety of toppings and additional flavorings. Drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes all start with espresso. Cream, foam and other foods are then added.
New high-tech espresso machines still essentially work same way as the traditional model. Steamed water is forced through finely ground coffee. This produces a thick, syrupy liquid known as espresso.
Although espresso machines can be quite large, they usually only make one serving at a time. The user flips a lever, from which a viscous liquid oozes out. This small portion is called a "shot." Poured espresso looks different from other coffees in that it has reddish foam on top called crema.
By using very finely ground coffee beans to force steamed water through, the espresso is able to retain much of the flavorful oils of the coffee beans. The fine beans also make the drink much thicker than coffee made from typical automatic drip machines.
Espresso machines will set you back more than regular machines, but if you are a die hard coffee drinker it's a price you're willing to pay for a rich cup of coffee. You can enjoy it as espresso or go a step further and make your own cappuccino or latte.
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