It begins as a small, strong shot of coffee that has a rich taste. As this one cup moves around the world, it changes to match the culture and tradition of each place it goes. The same shot of espresso turns into a quick breakfast in Italy, a leisurely break in Spain, and a very careful cooking technique in Australia. In this guide, we will show you different and interesting ways people drink espresso around the world.
What Exactly Is an Espresso?
Before we start our tour, it’s good to understand what makes an espresso an espresso. It’s a special way of making coffee, not a type of bean. It involves pushing nearly boiling water at high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. This strong process creates a small amount of coffee with a deep, rich flavor and a thick layer of reddish-brown foam called "crema." The crema shows that the espresso was made correctly, trapping the fragrant molecules and giving the whole cup its rich texture.
Espresso in Italy – A Ritual with Rules
We start in espresso's hometown, Italy. It's a place where coffee is not just a drink but a force that's a big part of a culture with a set of unstated rules.
The Stand-Up Ritual:
In Italy, it's typical to have an espresso at the "bar." It's a speedy, efficient way to get a pick-me-up. Clients will generally pay at the register, receive a tiny receipt (scontrino), and present it to the barista to place an order. It's drunk in a few swallows while remaining on your feet, a quick discussion, and life proceeds for the day. It's just a moment in the day.
The Cappuccino Rule
One of the most famous rules for ordering Italian coffee is that milk coffee, such as cappuccino or caffè latte, is strictly for the morning. Italians believe that too much hot milk after a meal weighs heavily on the stomach, so ordering after 11 a.m., let alone after dinner, indicates you are a tourist. After a meal, a simple shot of espresso is the crowd-pleaser for digestion purposes.
Key Italian Espresso Drinks to Know
Beyond a simple shot, the Italian coffee menu is beautifully nuanced.
- Espresso: A single, standard shot.
- Ristretto: A "restricted" shot, using less water for an even more concentrated, sweeter flavor.
- Lungo: A "long" shot, using more water for a larger, less intense drink.
- Macchiato: An espresso "stained" or "marked" with a small dollop of foamed milk.
- Corretto: An espresso "corrected" with a small amount of liquor, like grappa or sambuca.
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Unique Habits Across Continents
Espresso started in Italy. When it went to other countries, people changed it. So, there are now many different coffee habits around the world.
Spain
In Spain, coffee isn't rushed. It's to savor time with others. The coffee break itself is a quiet time to sit and visit. The two most popular beverages are Café con Leche, which consists of equal measures of strong espresso and hot milk, and Cortado. A cortado consists of a shot of espresso topped with a minimal amount of milk that has been steamed to dull its flavor. It comes in a tiny glass and is excellent for the early afternoon.
Australia & New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, making espresso is like creating art. Cities such as Melbourne are well-known for the "third wave" coffee movement. This movement believes that quality is the most important thing. Here, they pay attention to special beans, careful brewing, and the skill of the barista. The most popular drink from this area is the Flat White. It is an espresso shot topped with a thin layer of smooth steamed milk, known as microfoam. This makes it smooth, and it does not have the thick foam like a cappuccino.
Cuba
In Cuba, coffee is a sweet and strong drink that everyone enjoys together. Cafe Cubano is a special kind of espresso. It's made by taking a few drops of the first, really strong, dark espresso and combining it with a lot of sugar. You combine them until they form a thick, light brown foam called "espumita." Then, the remainder of the espresso is served over the foam. It's a really strong and sweet cup of coffee. It's served in small cups and is enjoyed with friends.
The United States
In America, coffee is largely about size and selection. In Europe, coffee is served in small, across the board. But in America, you get big lattes, iced coffee, and lots of different flavors of syrup. It's a big "to-go" culture. What most Americans drink, they drink on the go, out of large paper cups. This is quite different from Italy. There, coffee is custom-prepared for you. People order specialty milk (oat or almond), extra shots, and precisely which flavors they want.
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FAQs
What is the difference between a latte, a cappuccino, and a flat white?
The main difference is the ratio of milk to espresso and the texture of the milk foam. A cappuccino has a thick layer of light foam. A latte has more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam. A flat white has the least amount of foam and uses a velvety microfoam distributed throughout the whole drink.
Is it rude to order a coffee to-go in Italy?
It's not rude per se, but extremely uncommon and marks you as a foreigner. The Italian coffee break is a break in the day and is meant to be consumed at the bar. The notion of a large, portable coffee is an American invention.
What is the strongest type of espresso drink?
The Ristretto has the highest caffeine concentration. Since it uses less water in pulling the coffee, the resulting shot ends up being stronger, sip for sip.
