espresso
n. C / Un. a small, strong cup of coffee made by forcing hot water through crushed coffee beans. It is usually served in a tiny cup and has a layer of foam on top.
n. a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground beans. Typically served in small quantities and characterized by a layer of crema on the surface.
I usually drink a quick espresso before work.
The barista carefully adjusted the grinder to ensure the espresso had a rich, balanced flavor.
While many coffee drinks use milk to soften the intensity, a well-made espresso should stand alone, showcasing the complex acidity and oils of the specific bean origin.
Borrowed from Italian espresso, from caffè espresso (“pressed-out coffee”), form of esprimere (“to press out”), from Latin exprimere, from ex- (“out”) + primere (“to press”). Some sources derive the term from “expressly (‘individually, directly’) made for the customer”, or as “fast” (Italian espresso also meaning “fast”, as in English express (“fast”)) but these are not widely credited. The original term for modern espresso (coffee extracted under pressure) was cream coffee, from Italian caffè crema (variant: crema caffè), due to the crema, and was seen on early Gaggia machines, but this term is no longer used.
Uncountable when referring to the liquid or the method; countable when ordering individual servings.
I would like an expresso.I would like an espresso.Learners often misspell or mispronounce the word with an 'x' due to its association with speed or 'express' service.