Coffee

Espresso coffee cups aren’t really normal cups at all. In reality, they’re more like coffee shot glasses, which makes sense considering they’re not meant to hold your standard brew, but espresso. Although they do look like tiny versions of cups that people use for morning caffeine, your average java drinker would probably become quite irritated trying to get their buzz from a container so tiny. After all, don’t most people drink coffee in order to feel energized without the need for sleep?

What Makes Espresso Coffee Cups Different?

Normal cups that people use for their morning fix are obviously much larger than your average espresso coffee cups. Espresso cups don’t have any particular standard size, though. Many times, the only way to tell the difference between what a company calls their espresso cups and their latte or cappuccino cups is by looking at labeling. Every one of these various little cups have matching saucers.

Why Espresso Coffee Cups Are So Tiny

Espresso is much stronger and thicker than your standard cup of joe, which is why espresso coffee cups are much smaller other cups that people generally drink their java from. Your average cup of coffee only has about a third the caffeine of the same volume of espresso. Of course, this is a very rough estimate, as the amount of caffeine and strength of the blend is very dependent on both how the coffee is ground, and the bean itself. You can easily get very different experiences by trying different brands, and blends within those brands, and espresso is not excluded.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is a type of coffee, but the difference isn’t in the bean so much as the preparation. The biggest difference between regular coffee and espresso is density. To make espresso, a machine forces highly pressurized water through very fine coffee grounds, creating a denser, stronger coffee than normal. The result is almost like a coffee syrup and, when you experience it, it becomes very obvious why one would not want to drink a standard coffee cup of the stuff at once.

Can One Cup Coffee Makers Make Espresso?

Generally speaking, one cup coffee makers are not very good at making real espresso. The water pressure required is generally beyond the capability of a one cup coffee maker. Espresso coffee pods will generally fit a 1 cup coffee maker, but the results are not generally favorable. There are some K-Cups coffee options that are called espresso, but they are typically just stronger coffee blends. Sure, you’ll get a stronger cup of coffee out of both of these options, but you can leave your espresso coffee cups behind since it won’t be all that different. Ironically enough, ESE coffee pods work much better in espresso machines fitted with adapters than in 1 cup coffee makers.

Want to learn more about espresso coffee cups? Check out Great Coffee Cups.

Author: Anthony J Davis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you think that giving specialty coffee cups and mugs as gourmet coffee gifts is boring, think again. They have indeed come a long way from their basic conventional use. The type of cups suitable for the type of gourmet coffee varies. While paper coffee cups are convenient for on the go individuals to kick start their day, they are never for specialty coffee drinkers as it impacts both the aroma as well the taste of the coffee.

The best cups for coffees are porcelain cups and when serving a great coffee, you should warm it up to ensure that the coffee temperature is maintained consistent to retain and lets it exude its full aroma. The shape of the coffee cups impacts the senses, namely smell, taste, sight and the ultimate level of consumption enjoyment. While the usual coffee mug does well for your premium coffee and cappuccinos, the tall glass of the latte gives more pleasure with the rainbow layers of milk that mixes with it.

For almost every type of specialty coffee, there is at least a few specialty coffee mugs specifically designed for them to be served in. Take for instance the Irish coffee mug, which are made of heavy clear glass with a footed bottom and taller than your conventional brew of the day mugs. As different as they are, the espresso cups are dainty, petite little cups with little saucers often only containing about 3 oz of the brew.

Not to forget the very functional travel mugs which are essentially made of stainless steel, and insulated to help you keep your coffee warm. Almost every other coffee drinker would either own one or more travel mug, even when all the travelling they do are from the coffee pantry to their workstation. The main reasons being that the travel mugs double up as personal coffee mugs with their very convenient handles, their ability to keep the brew warm as well as their sipper gadgets.

Indeed, to the non coffee drinker, a coffee mug is just another cup. But to the coffee connoisseur, it makes all the differences. I am very sure they would be totally appalled if you use a bowl like cappuccino mug for your Irish coffee. Always know your coffee and their matching mugs thoroughly, especially when serving that coffee connoisseur boss of yours. They make even better gourmet coffee gifts too.

Any Time is the Best Occasion for Gourmet Coffee Gifts [http://gourmet-coffee-gifts.net]. Check out Great Ideas for that Gourmet Coffee Gift Basket [http://gourmet-coffee-gifts.net] here

Author: Sarah Osborne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A question that is often asked is “does a serving of espresso have more caffeine than a serving of regular coffee?” It is not possible to state exactly what the serving size of coffee is because that varies based on personal choice, type and shape of cup or mug used, among many other factors.

However, it is reasonable to state that the average serving size of a cup of regular coffee is 8 ounces and the average serving of espresso is about 3 ounces. Based on such straightforward comparison, a cup of brewed coffee has more caffeine than espresso. However, this comparison is not exactly accurate because it does not take into consideration the amount of caffeine per ounce served.

From a concentration perspective; that is, in terms of caffeine per ounce served, it turns out that espresso has more caffeine than brewed coffee.

• Brewed coffee has about 65 to 120 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces serving.
• Dividing 65-120 milligrams by 8 ounces results in about 8.125 to 15 milligrams of caffeine per ounce.
• Espresso, on the other hand, has about 25 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per 3 ounces serving.
• Again, dividing 25 to 50 milligrams of caffeine by 3 ounces results in about 8.3 to 16 milligrams of caffeine per ounce.

Therefore, from this concentration perspective, espresso has more caffeine than brewed coffee based on the amount of caffeine per ounce. However, the total number of cups of either brewed coffee or espresso per day is actually what will determine the total amount of caffeine consumed per day.

Ultimately, total volume is what matters in evaluating the amount of caffeine consumed per day. Espresso cups may be smaller in size but it does not take long for a frequent espresso drinker to consume much more caffeine per day than a moderate brewed coffee drinker.

Caffeine is also assimilated more quickly when taken in concentrated dosages, such as an espresso cup.

• This is why drinking a shot of espresso can give a “jolt” faster than drinking a full 8 ounce cup of brewed coffee. The espresso method of preparation allows the coffee drinker to have fresh coffee “in a hurry” by forcing very hot water under pressure through the finely ground coffee.
• This method extracts the coffee’s aroma, flavor and body in a way that requires a special blend and a roast level of coffee, called espresso roast, instead of the roast levels used for the “regular” ways of brewing coffee.
• A great tasting espresso should be sweet, very aromatic and have a flavor similar to freshly ground coffee. The taste should be enjoyable without any additives but, if adding milk, the espresso taste should be bold enough not to “disappear.”
• Several minutes after consumption, the coffee drinker should still taste the pleasant and aromatic aftertaste on the palate.
• It is not possible to have a good espresso without a good espresso blend which should feature aromatics, sweetness and smoothness associated with espresso. The espresso blend should be fresh and not roasted too dark to prevent bitter, charcoal taste.

As a recommendation, grind and dose espresso on demand for one shot, dose properly, tamp and brew to enjoy each drop. The water pressure is responsible for the “crema” which is a unique feature of espresso and adds to the unique taste and drinking experience. Preheating the espresso cup with clean hot water prior to filling the cup with the espresso brew is always a good idea. Doing this helps retain the aroma and heat of the freshly prepared espresso. Deciding to drink 1 to 3 or more cups of espresso per day is a coffee drinker’s prerogative. Doing things in moderation is good advice to remember and is the way to control total caffeine consumption.

The best way to ensure preparing a great specialty coffee beverage is to apply exact standards of water quality, brewing temperature, and coffee to water ratio as much as possible.

• This is true whether the coffee is prepared as an espresso or as brewed coffee. The choice of coffee beans and flavors offer many opportunities for coffee tasting experiences and memorable times with family and friends.
• Brewing coffee is an art and a science. To coffee lovers, brewing coffee is fun, relaxing and enjoyable. Coffee drinking is both a habit and a ritual. It is a rewarding activity to several personal senses; literally, from the tongue to the nose and to the mind! In just about any language and culture, coffee is a very popular beverage.
• On a per serving basis, regardless of whether it is espresso or brwed coffee, the average cost of a cup of coffee is more affordable than the cost of drinking an equivalent amount of fresh juice, milk, bottled water, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

In addition, there are many health benefits from drinking coffee. Coffee has two main ways of improving the health of your body: antioxidants and caffeine.

• Both of these substances have health and anti aging benefits.
• Antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals.
• These free radicals are produced as a by-product of cells through normal daily activities.
• The health benefits of coffee are many and the research supports the claims.

Obviously, check with your own physician regarding any medical conditions, treatments, diagnostics, pregnancy or special dietary plans for you.

Go ahead and drink coffee, brewed and espresso. They are both great tasting and varying the type of coffee brewed is fun. Enjoy a cup of Panama Boquete specialty coffee!

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “The Gourmet Coffee Guy.”
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com.

Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Timothy S. Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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