Espresso
‘Espresso’ is Italian for ‘express’ or ‘fast’.
Espresso is reputed to be the base of all great coffees. Although the praise for this style of coffee goes to the Italians, the first espresso machine was actually developed in France. It was a rather crude attempt, however, and it was the Italians who developed it into the machine that we know today. An espresso machine uses pressure to force hot water through finely ground coffee.
In Italy, the price of a cup of espresso is regulated by the government. The Italians serve espresso in a ‘demitasse’ (meaning half-cup), containing 1 1/2 ounces of rich, dark, coffee with a golden crema (or cream) on top. For those who like an intense coffee experience.
Cappuccino
A frothy mixture of espresso and steamed milk in equal measure.
Macchiato
Espresso with a splash or spot (translation of ‘macchia’) of steamed milk.
Americano
Espresso with hot water added.
Latte
Espresso with steamed milk and a dollop of frothed milk on top (more milky than a cappuccino).
Corretto
Espresso spiked with spirit, e.g. Grappa
Romano
Espresso served with a slice of lemon.
Ristretto
Double-strength espresso.
Con Panna
Espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
Granita de Caffé
Cold espresso poured over crushed ice.
Café au lait
French coffee with milk.
Demi-créme
Half coffee, half cream or milk.
Café con Leche
Spanish or Portuguese dark roasted coffee mixed with sugar and served with heated milk.
Cafeate
Nicaraguan coffee with milk.
Mocha
One-third espresso, one-third hot chocolate, and one-third steamed milk.
There are as many ways to drink coffee as there are countries.
Coffee is drunk by a third of the world’s population, yet no two nations seem to serve their coffee the same way.
Arabia
People in the Arab world like a tiny, sweet cup of coffee.
France
For breakfast, the French like to drink their coffee in bowls, scented with chicory.
Holland
The Dutch like their coffee strong, served in individual pots with sugar, a jug of cream and a glass of water.
Italy
The Italians created espresso coffee, which is very strong. It is served without milk in tiny cups.
Russia
This is a nation of tea drinkers. However, when they do drink coffee, they take it black, with sugar and a slice of lemon.
Southern India
The people of southern India enjoy their coffee with plenty of milk and sugar. It helps to soothe their palates after a spicy hot meal.
Sudan
The Sudanese stir cloves and other spices into the coffee and serve it black, from a jug.
Turkey
In Turkey, the dregs of coffee grains lining your empty cup are used to tell your fortune. Turkish coffee is made with very fine coffee grounds, sugar and water, which are placed in an ‘Ibrik’ then brought to a boil. The resulting coffee is very strong and thick.
America
Americans prefer a lightly roasted coffee with a dash of cream.
