A lot of people derive as much pleasure from brewing coffee as from drinking it. And for some, making coffee is a time-honored traditional ritual, and the satisfaction is even greater with the knowledge that one is using the same equipment that yielded cups of the much-loved beverage to past generations. Other people delight in acquiring and using the latest gadgets which are more trendy, and certainly coffee brewing and serving offer scope for constant design innovations, be they practical or aesthetic, or even both. Ability to know and able to select, grind and brew coffee with a range of different equipment is all part of the quest for the perfect cup.

About Espresso

Espresso is a strong, dark-roasted version of coffee that is brewed through a special steam-extraction process. Espresso originated in Italy, but it is now popular all over the world. Many of the recipes in this site use espresso as the main ingredients. In the past, most people associated the term espresso with a concentrated and bitter brew. However, there has been a new awareness of espresso and high quality coffees in general created within the last several years due to articles in magazines, newspapers and promotions by the coffee industry. As a result, the general public has become more sophisticated and discerning in their taste, and the old reputation for espresso has been replaced by an enthusiasm for espresso-based drinks as evidenced by the long lines at the espresso stands.

The term espresso is Italian for fast and primarily describes the method of preparation. The espresso brewing method uses pressure rather than gravity to rapidly extract the essence of the coffee in a concentrated form. Espresso is also used to describe the blend of beans and the degree of roast for the beans used to prepare espresso. Espresso roast is one of the darkest roasts and is characterized by a slightly burnt flavor.

Almost all coffee specialty shops now have commercial espresso machines and serve both espresso and espresso drinks to a growing number of enthusiasts. In addition to the specialty shops, curbside espresso carts and drive-through espresso windows have sprung up throughout the greater metropolitan area. Now, it seems that every shopping mall and supermarket has its own espresso station.

Basic Botany

Coffee comes from the fruit of an evergreen shrub, or tree, which flourishes in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The trees produce delicate clusters of jasmine-scented blossoms, and fruit known as "cherries". Cocooned in each cherry, protect by pulp and parchment, are two coffee beans. Since approximately four thousand beans are needed to produce one pound of roasted coffee, few commodities require so much in terms of human effort.

Myths and Mysteries

So great was the mystique ascribed to coffee, that conjecture over the who, how and when of the invention of the beverage and the discovery of its properties was intense. Doctors, lawyers, poets and philosophers all had their pet theories and great kudos was linked to association with the so-called "discovery". As a result, in medieval Arabia and later in the 17th century Europe, stories and legends were rife.

 

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