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What is espresso or expresso?

By , About.com Guide

Brewed coffee, ground coffee, and coffee beans

Brewed coffee, ground coffee, and coffee beans

© 2006 Peggy Trowbridge
Question: What is espresso or expresso?
Is that rich coffee brew called espresso or expresso?
Answer: Espresso, which originated in Milan, Italy circa 1900, is a very dark, bitter Italian coffee often miscalled expresso.

The term espresso comes from the Italian meaning "pressed out," referring to the process of pushing the freshly fine-ground bean essence through a special machine using steam and water. This process creates a highly concentrated brew with a thin layer of creamy, dark beige froth on the coffee's surface.

More About Coffee and Cooking:

• Coffee Storage and Cooking Tips
• What is espresso / expresso? FAQ
• Coffee Types
• Coffee History
• Coffee Recipes
Coffee Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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