The Truth about Espresso Coffee Beans

The word "espresso" is an Italian word that suggests a coffee drink brewed especially or expressly for you. Espresso drinks that are popularly brewed are made using a pump or lever that presses the espresso coffee beans. We use the term espresso coffee beans to describe the beans we use to make espresso beverages. The truth is that all coffee beans are espresso coffee beans. All kind of coffee can be used to make espresso.

There is actually no special roast that is especially blended for making espresso beans. Light roasted and dark roasted beans can all be used to make espresso. There are usually some regional preferences of espresso lovers. Espresso drinkers on the west coast of the U.S. like their espresso coffee beans roasted with a dark roast, or "French roast." Italians tend to use a medium roast coffee bean for espresso, and coffee drinkers on the east cost like their espresso made with a light roasted bean.

In fact the world over it is the espresso machine that produces the espresso coffee. Under a minimum pressure of 135 pounds per square inch, hot water is forced through a dense mound of compacted ground coffee. Steam pressure machines use steam, not hot water, to create the espresso. To make an espresso coffee drink one should use a true espresso machine to make a one to two ounce shot of hot coffee brewed in about one tablespoon of finely ground, compacted coffee beans. The entire brewing process should be completed in less than 30 seconds. Quality espresso contains a rich layer of dark foam on the surface of the drink. This foam is judged for quality of an espresso coffee drink.