What is Espresso?

So What Is Espresso? Where did it come from?

Espresso is a name that’s basically synonymous with coffee as a whole.  But what exactly is it, and where did it come from?  How did it get to be in just about every coffee shop in the world, and what makes it so special? 

We’ll be taking a look at the origins of our favorite form of coffee and how it got to where it is today.  We’ll also help define what exactly an espresso shot is, and all of the factors that make a truly great one. 

Here at Refuge, espresso is our specialty as a coffee shop, so we’re pretty passionate about it.

What Is Espresso? 

Espresso is any finely ground coffee beans that has pressurized water forced through it to make a small amount of highly concentrated coffee. 

Two things set espresso apart from other coffee brewing methods: speed and extraction.  With the right grinder and machine, a fully extracted espresso serving can take less than a minute. 

The steamed pressure pushing through tight grinds also results in very precise and nuanced flavors being extracted from coffee, highlighting the quality of whatever coffee beans are used. 

How Espresso Was Invented 

From the very start, these two factors of speed and quality were what defined espresso. 

In 1887, Angelo Moriondo created what is widely considered the first patented precursor to the espresso machine.  His device used steam and pressurized water to create bulk quantities of coffee in a short time. 

But in 1901, Italian inventor Luigi Bezzera added his own innovations to Moriondo’s machine that allowed for small, individual portions of coffee brewed quickly.  Purchased by the La Pavoni manufacturing company, the espresso machine began to spread fast through Italy thanks to industrialized production.

The name espresso itself is derived from the Italian “exprimere,” which translated directly means “to press out.”  However, it simultaneously came to mean “express” or “quickly made.” 

This idea of speedy service was at the core of Bezzera’s machine, since making a quality cup of coffee for someone in less than a minute is part of what made espresso so popular all through the 20th and 21st centuries.

How Espresso Changed Coffee Culture 

Espresso quick production sent waves through the world.  Before its global popularity, second wave coffee culture was in full swing.  This era, beginning around the late 1960s and stretching into the 90s, was defined by widespread consumption of coffee brought on by big name roasters like Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee and Tea.  The stage was set for espresso to take the world by storm. 

Beginning in the late 20th century, espresso’s ability to extract rich and complex flavors from coffee brought it to the forefront of third wave, or specialty coffee culture. 

Cafe culture centered around quality roasting, which up until then had been localized to European countries, was becoming the focus for coffee shops throughout the world.  Espresso was the perfect candidate to highlight the flavor within those roasts. 

It quickly caught on globally as the foundation for drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos.  These traditional Italian staples soon became synonymous with coffee shops, and today are inseparable from what people think of when we talk about coffee.  

Espresso and Refuge Coffee 

While there are a lot of different regional variations on how espresso is extracted, here at Refuge Coffee we pull our espresso as a double ristretto shot.  To understand what that is, we have to break down a few coffee terms. 

Typically a shot of espresso is roughly around 1 fluid ounce of coffee extracted from about 15 to 20 grams of coffee grinds, depending on the roasting date or grind dosage. 

Ristretto, or “restricted” in Italian, means ending extraction early in the brewing process, resulting in a more concentrated and potent espresso taste.  Double ristretto just means there are two ristretto shots, which results in roughly 1.5 to 2 fluid ounces of espresso ready to be enjoyed in your coffee drink of choice. Whether that be a traditional Cappuccino, or a Signature Latte.

Espresso pulled like this is usually complimented by a medium or lighter roast.  Since espresso draws out some of the deepest and strongest tastes a coffee can offer, the beans benefit from having more of their natural flavor intact. 

Dark roasts generally have a heavier, earthy taste that benefits from larger batch brewing.  Using a dark roast for espresso would result in a somewhat overwhelming shot due to its smaller size and concentrated flavor.  

If you’re looking for a medium roast coffee specifically crafted for espresso machines, then look no further than our Defender Espresso Blend of Guatemala, Brazil, and Colombian coffee. 

Its name comes from our goal of defending the traditional Italian methods of classic espresso craftsmanship that we feel are sometimes overlooked in modern coffee scenes.  We take pride in serving Defender in all our espresso-based drinks, and offer it as a staple of our coffee shop and our values.

Espresso FAQs 

Is espresso stronger than coffee? 

No, but they’re close.  If you took a shot of espresso and the same sized amount of batch brewed coffee, then espresso would take the lead when it came down to strength of flavor and concentration. 

But when it comes to caffeine content, a double shot of espresso (or 2 ounces) has around the same amount as a typical 12 ounce cup of coffee.  Which, if you were wondering, is around 110 to 140 milligrams of caffeine. 

Be sure to stay hydrated and watch how many shots or cups of coffee you’ve had, since it’s recommended not to have more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day!

Can I use regular beans for espresso? 

While there are roasts and blends and coffee origins that are more suited to being pulled as an espresso shot than others, any kind of coffee can be used for espresso. 

Though, keep your grind size in mind. Whatever coffee is used needs to be ground at a very fine size.  If a coarse grind is used, then the espresso machine will pull a very watery and tasteless shot. 

The pressurized water needs to go through a tight barrier of coffee to extract all the delicious concentrated goodness you’re looking for in espresso.

Defender Espresso Blend - Starting at $19 - Available for Pickup or Shipping

Looking for a Traditional Italian Espresso Blend?

If you’re eager to try an espresso-friendly roast, grab a bag of our Defender espresso blend at either of our locations, or place an order online! 

And be sure to stop in and try some espresso by itself or in one of our fan-favorite drinks.  In the traditional Italian style, of course.