Espresso is Italian for “squeezed out”, which refers to the way espresso is made – in an espresso machine, pressurised water is quickly forced through a layer of compressed fine coffee powder. But how do you recognise a truly expertly made espresso? To do so, you need to put all your senses to work.
Visionary
The first taste of espresso is very important – you can tell if the coffee has been made correctly by the foam layer that forms before you take your first sip. If the espresso has been made well, the foam should have a peanut-peanut texture and be slightly reddish-dark brown in colour, with a thickness of 2-5 mm. The foam should be dense, with almost invisible air bubbles, and should last at least two minutes. The foam should be strong enough to hold the sugar crumbs on top for at least a few seconds if necessary.
When you’re in a café or coffee shop, make sure you check the cleanliness of your espresso machine and coffee grinder, as this will also affect the taste of your coffee.
A sense of taste
The right cup of espresso is just the right amount of acidity and just the right amount of bitterness. Bitterness, perfectly balanced with acidity, is common to Arabica coffee beans. The slightly sweet aftertaste should linger in the mouth for anywhere up to 30 minutes.
Sense of smell
One of the reasons why espresso lovers enjoy the drink so much is its exceptional aroma. The sense of smell appreciates three main things about espresso: the quantity of aromas, their quality and their persistence. Although there are thousands of aroma components, people can only recognise certain combinations.
Compiling
The moment the coffee hits the tongue, the final journey of espresso begins. The consistency of the espresso should be slightly syrupy, a nice combination of viscosity and density.
Hearing
The atmosphere around us – the sounds of the espresso machine, the clinking of the teaspoon and the music on the radio – also plays a role in the coffee-drinking experience. The sounds around us can make or break a truly powerful coffee-drinking experience.
Next time you drink espresso, put all your taste buds to work!
