What Are Espresso Beans?

For coffee lovers all over the world, there’s a lot more to know about espresso beans than meets the eye. There are a variety of different types of espresso beans and roasting methods to choose from. Brewing the perfect cup of coffee to indulge with first thing in the morning is truly an art form that must be mastered through information and practice.

The Origin of “Espresso”

The word “espresso” originates from the Italian language. The name was first coined around 1900 and translates loosely to mean “a cup of coffee loomed expressively for you.” Many people incorrectly pronounce and spell espresso as “expresso.”

What is an Espresso?

Espresso coffee is a small shot, 1 to 2 ounces, of pressure-brewed coffee that uses about one tablespoon of finely ground espresso beans. An espresso that is brewed well will have a thick layer of rich dark golden cream on the top of the espresso.

What is an Espresso bean?

Espresso bean is the core of the espresso drink. The coffee bean comes from the heart of the coffee berry, which comes from a plant that is mainly grown in countries with more suitable climates. All coffee berries are either handpicked or picked mechanically. Berries that are handpicked are always of higher quality. After berries are picked, they are processed and bagged. Each berry has two espresso beans inside of it. The coffee is shipped without being roasted so that it can be kept for a longer period of time, but the espresso bean must be roasted before consumption.

Selecting the Best Type of Espresso Bean

Espresso coffee beans are roasted longer than regular coffee beans. This is because for espresso coffee, the coffee bean oils have to be brought to the surface of the bean.

Arabica beans are known for providing the most balance between flavor, acidity, and bitterness. Arabica beans are also considered to be the best quality espresso beans.

Robusta beans on the other hand, despite their lower quality, provide more crema (the creamy foam on top of a perfect espresso) than Arabica beans once they are made into a cup of coffee. Without crema, an espresso drink is not up to the highest quality standards. It is up to you to decide based on your personal taste which espresso bean is preferable for your espresso drink.

Tips for Making a Delicious Espresso

To produce the highest quality and best testing espresso, it is important to use the freshest espresso beans possible. Older coffee beans may have a stale odor and appear oily. It is critical that you store your coffee beans in an airtight container in a dark, dry place. Do not store your coffee beans in the freezer in an attempt to preserve them longer. This will actually crystallize the moisture and weaken the porous structure of the beans, which may cause a worse flavor in your espresso.

Making the best quality espresso drink is based on the type of espresso bean you use and the way that you prepare and make the drink. Taking into account the above tips for making a delicious espresso will ensure excellent quality of your espresso drink.