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Espresso is made using water under pressure. It is not a roast. It is a method. When made correctly, espresso will have a top layer of golden colored foam called crema.
Four components go into making good espresso:
The Machine - with hot pressurized water going through it, it is of utmost importance to be clean.
The Blend - Baristas (a master coffee maker) typically use a blend of "single-origin" coffee because they believe that no single-origin coffe provides all the flavors necessary for a good espresso. We question that with the complecities of some of the Panama specialty coffees.
The Grinder/Doser - the Barista decides on the particle size but typically, the smaller, the better.
The Hand - It all comes down to the skill of the operator and his/her knowledge of the machine, coffee, and timing.
There are many different espresso machines ont he market. Because of the pressurization of water, some are quite expensive. While the Italians, who love their espressos, use these machines, in the home they may only use a moka pot It is a simple two part stove top pot that pushes hot water up through the grounds into the top portion.
It all comes down to how much time you want to spend learning this art form. Maybe it is better left to the Baristas. Find one you like or use a simple home Moka Pot.
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