Espresso is a small, strong shot of coffee, brewed in less than half a minute.
Espresso coffee is the base of the cappuccino, the latte, the americano and several other types of coffee.
What is espresso?
Espresso is coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure for about 25–30 seconds. The result is a small, strong shot, about 30 ml, with a layer of golden-brown foam called crema on top. It's the base of the cappuccino, the latte and the americano.
In numbers, according to the Specialty Coffee Association:
- Pressure: about 9 bar
- Time: 20–30 seconds
- Shot: 25–35 ml for a single, from about 7–9 g of coffee
- Double: twice the coffee and twice the volume
- Crema: the thick, golden foam on top
Espresso meaning
Espresso is an Italian word. It's usually explained as "pressed out", for the way water is pushed through the coffee, though some dictionaries link it to coffee made quickly to order.
Espresso vs regular coffee
Espresso and regular brewed coffee can use the same beans. Espresso is brewed fast, under pressure, from very fine coffee. Brewed coffee lets water drip or steep slowly through coarser coffee. Sip for sip, espresso is much stronger. Cup for cup, it often has less caffeine, because a shot is so small.
| Coffee | Serving | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | a single shot | about 60–65 mg |
| Brewed coffee | a 150 ml cup | about 80–120 mg |
| Instant coffee | a 150 ml cup | about 50–65 mg |
The espresso figure is from the USDA, and the brewed and instant figures are from ICMR-NIN's Dietary Guidelines for Indians.
Is espresso black coffee? Yes. On its own, espresso is just coffee and water, so it's a black coffee. Our guide to black coffee covers the other kinds.
Espresso shots: doppio, ristretto and lungo
Every espresso shot is a variation on the same idea, with more or less water:
| Shot | What it is | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Single | one shot, 25–35 ml | the standard |
| Doppio | a double shot: twice the coffee and twice the water | the same, with twice as much |
| Ristretto | the same coffee with about half the water | shorter, more concentrated |
| Lungo | the same coffee with more water, about 1 part coffee to 3 parts water | longer, milder, more bitter |
Many cafés now use a double shot as standard.
How to make espresso at home
True espresso needs an espresso machine, because of the pressure.
- For a double, grind 16–20 g of coffee very fine, finer than table salt.
- Level it in the basket and tamp (press) it down firmly and evenly.
- Brew for 25–30 seconds, until you have about 50–60 ml.
- If the shot runs fast and tastes thin or sour, grind finer next time. If it runs slow and tastes bitter or burnt, grind coarser.
Without an espresso machine
A moka pot is a stovetop brewer that makes strong, concentrated coffee. It works at much lower pressure than an espresso machine and gives no real crema, but it's the closest you'll get at home without one.
For milk drinks, 2 tsp of instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp of hot water gives you about one shot's worth. It isn't espresso, but it works well in a homemade latte or cappuccino.
Drinks made with espresso
- Americano: espresso topped up with hot water.
- Cappuccino: equal parts espresso, steamed milk and milk foam.
- Latte: espresso with about three times as much steamed milk and a thin foam.
- Flat white: espresso with about twice as much steamed milk and a silky microfoam.
- Macchiato: a shot of espresso with a spoonful of milk or foam.
- Mocha: espresso, chocolate and steamed milk.
Espresso FAQs
Does espresso have milk?
No. Espresso is just coffee and water. Adding milk turns it into a cappuccino, a latte or a macchiato.
What is the point of espresso?
It's a quick, strong, full-flavoured coffee. It's also the base for most café drinks, because its strength still comes through when milk or water is added.
Is espresso healthier than regular coffee?
Neither is healthier on its own. A single shot usually has less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee, and India's ICMR-NIN guidelines advise keeping caffeine under 300 mg a day from all sources. What you add, like milk and sugar, matters more.
Where to go from here
If espresso is new to you, try it first in a cappuccino or a latte. If you have a moka pot, start there for a strong shot at home.