35 Must-Know Espresso Facts That Every Coffee Fanatic Should Know

One of the most popular beverages around the world is espresso.

This potent beverage is made using an intricate brewing process that results in a single or double shot of an unforgettable taste. Here are some cool espresso facts for you to appreciate your espressos even more.

Invented by Italians, espresso may require some getting used to. However, once you consume this made-to-order brew coffee, then there is no going back.

Since espresso is made using an espresso machine that is designed to perfectly brew the finest beans, the aroma, taste, and aftertaste are simply unforgettable.

In fact, in the United States, every November 23, espresso lovers celebrate National Espresso Day to honor this delicious concoction.

On this day, you will find coffee fanatics lining up at their favorite cafés to get their special shot of espresso.

There is much to learn about the process of brewing this drink, like the fact that the finely grounded beans have to be brewed in boiling water, or that the thin layer of gold atop the black coffee is called crema.

Continue reading to discover more exciting facts about espresso!

What is espresso?

Is it espresso or expresso? And why it is called espresso? Originating in the 1800s, this Italian coffee drink was named espresso due to its quick turnaround time.

First of all, the definition of espresso declares it to be a kind of coffee that is brewed by forcing boiling water of high pressure onto finely ground coffee beans. It is derived from 'esprimere', meaning to 'press out' or 'express out'.

This drink stems from the 1900s when coffee brewers in Milan, Italy invented this concoction that is now often mispronounced as 'expresso'.

Espresso was probably created to cut back on the time used in the preparation of other coffee drinks. Espresso machines can brew a cup of this drink in less than a minute.

Espresso is a hot beverage prepared using a special brewing method developed in Italy, a country whose products are associated with high quality.

Coffee espresso machines are designed to extract the best compounds from the coffee beans, and leave out the harmful tannins that leave a bitter taste in the grounded coffee.

This coffee is not instant! Espresso machines grind the coffee beans in order to not lose the essence of the aromatic compounds that are known to dissipate due to moisture and other environmental factors.

The ground coffee for espresso is made using the best coffee beans. The selection of the beans is done keeping in mind the roast level high pressure and temperature.

Every shot of espresso will taste the same. This consistency is achieved due to the espresso extraction process. Also, you are likely to feel the caramelized aftertaste even after 20 minutes of consumption.

The 20 to 30-second brewing process makes the espresso brewing process shorter. This cycle ensures the naturally occurring chlorogenic acids in the coffee beans do not break down, thus preventing the bitterness from seeping into the coffee.

There is a reason why espresso is considered to be a short black coffee. Espresso is a black-colored coffee drink in its purest form.

Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee with no sugar and milk. The brewed coffee cup is jet black in color, sometimes with a golden crema (thin layer of cream) as the top layer. The crema may contain some flecks of finely ground coffee along with the fatty oils of the beans.

However, black coffee is different from espresso. The brewing process of the beans is what differentiates the two types of coffees.

Drip coffee has much less caffeine in terms of concentration than an espresso. However, when it comes to size, a cup of brewed drip coffee contains around 120 mg compared to around 80 mg of caffeine in a double shot espresso.

The Nutritional Facts Of Espresso

Espresso is a beverage that is known to be comparatively low in calories. Espresso also contains essential micronutrients like vitamins, potassium, and so on. It is these nutrients that make this drink healthy as well. These nutritional facts are often shared by coffee lovers on National Espresso Day!

It is a majorly concentrated form of coffee drink. However, the amount of caffeine within one shot of espresso can vary.

The National Coffee Association (NCA) has specified that a double shot of espresso may contain anywhere between 60 and 100 mg of caffeine.

1 fl oz (30 g) of espresso is estimated to have around 2.7 kcal. Whereas a single serving of an espresso cup - 2 fl oz (60 g) of beverage has around 5.4 kcal.

This drink includes niacin (vitamin B3). This vitamin is known to help in strengthening mental processes and preventing cancer. It also helps in improving blood fat levels.

Magnesium can also be found in espresso. Magnesium is good for the nervous system, bones, teeth, and so on.

Vitamin B2 can be found in riboflavin which is found in espresso. This helps to maintain the energy supply in our body.

Potassium is found in great amounts in espresso. Potassium plays an important role in monitoring blood pressure.

Copper can be found in a shot of espresso. Copper plays an important role in protecting your cells from free radicals. Free radicals are associated with a host of serious ailments, like cancer.

Espresso has 4.2 mg of sodium. Sodium is an element vital for the regulation of blood. It also helps in maintaining minerals and water in our body.

2.10 mg of phosphorous can be found in a single shot of espresso.

0.60 mg of calcium is found in one shot of espresso.

Types Of Espresso

Apart from pure espresso, you will find coffee drinks made from a mix of an espresso shot with other ingredients such as steamed milk, froth, sugar, and so on. Some examples include short macchiato, ristretto, Americano, and café latte.

A single shot of espresso is as the name suggests, a hot drink made up of a single shot. It is also called a short black coffee.

The next espresso drink is the double shot. This one will have two shots of espresso instead of one. Some will refer to it as doppio.

When you ask for a short or long macchiato, the beverage will include one or two shots of espresso with some steamed milk and foam. The clear layers of this drink give it away.

If your espresso is not dark enough, then you can opt for the ristretto. It is a highly concentrated form of espresso as only half the hot water is used.

When around two-thirds of hot water is combined with a single shot of espresso, the result is a long black Americano.

Another popular sweeter coffee drink made from espresso is the café latte. This one is made with one shot of espresso, boiled milk, and some foam.

When you double the amount of the micro foam in the café latte, you get the cappuccino. Since the proportion of steamed milk compared to the espresso shot is lesser, this is a stronger coffee drink.

Lastly, there is the Lungo. It is similar to the Americano but different. The brewing process involves combining one shot of espresso with twice the amount of hot water.

The Health Benefits of Espresso

From physical to mental effects, research has shown that drinking espresso does a lot to your body. Consumption of espresso promotes fat burning, increases metabolism, suppresses appetite, reduces hunger, boosts energy levels, and more. So, apart from the addictive taste, this ground coffee drink is quite healthy.

If you are looking for a natural way to cut back on that stomach flab or lose weight, try a shot of espresso. This coffee triggers the hormones in your body, which activate the cells to do a better job in burning the extra fat content.

There is a reason why you crave that cup of espresso every morning. It is scientifically proven that the caffeine in coffee drinks causes a reaction in the brain which affects your mood positively. It is known to keep depression at bay and boost attention.

Research shows caffeine in your espresso can make you less susceptible to type-2 diabetes.

Espresso is packed with antioxidants that everyone knows kill free radicals. Free radicals in the body cause serious ailments like cancer. So, consumption of this finely ground coffee daily can help indirectly lower your risk of these life-threatening diseases.

Increased endurance, alertness, and heart rate are all associated physical impacts of consuming espresso. Along with physical health, consumption of this beverage is also known to improve mental health.

The caffeine in espresso will also stimulate your senses. You may feel hyperactive after having this hot beverage. So, you may have the energy to engage in physical activities.

As you know pure espresso is made through a brewing process that maximizes the positive taste and aroma and minimizes negative acids like tannins. Based on this process, it may be possible for espresso to be less damaging compared to other coffee drinks. But there are no studies that can prove this yet.