People who drink espresso are ascetics.

Espresso is one of the most difficult coffees of all. Whether from the vision, aroma, taste or from the aftertaste, there is a certain emphasis.

I'm not an espresso expert, but I'd like to share some of the ways I've tasted espresso over the years, hoping to help those who love espresso as well.

visual

Coffee has a pleasant feeling when it settles into the cup. Unfortunately, very few coffee shops specifically serve espresso in a clear cup without seeing anything unusual about espresso.

Everyone knows crema. It should be brownish yellow, it should not have a light speck, and it should be sticky enough to last for a while even if white sugar is sprinkled on it. But don't get lost in perfect crema. A lack of foam, a light brown or white foam, or a very thin layer of foam is an indicator of a poor quality espresso, but the presence of foam does not guarantee anything.

aroma

First, exhale, bring your nose close to the glass, and then inhale slowly and deeply, allowing the fragrance to slowly enter your nose. You can also place your hand on the edge of the glass and gently flap it. There are elements that are difficult to discern and need to be drilled deep into the nostrils. Cupping your hand on the cup can add only the aroma of your hand and any combination that has come into contact with it. It is important that the length of the olfactory sample be long because some elements are difficult to discern and some need to be pulled into the nostrils to be perceived. To understand espresso, you may need to do this repeatedly.

The aroma of espresso coffee should be deep, rich, and complex. There should be no faint burnt or chemical smell. If it smells like burnt rubber, it's best to put it down and walk away, as it indicates the use of cheap Robusta beans that actually put it down and walk away.

how to taste

This is important because espresso is different from other coffees. For espresso you just take a gentle sip. Let the coffee flow gently from the front to the back of the tongue, then let it cover as much as possible, and then gently inhale through the mouth and swallow slowly.

feel

Coffee should feel like melted butter in the mouth, heavy, thick, smooth, greasy, but all positive and uplifting. It should have a weight, viscosity and fluidity. It feels very different from water, which feels a little rushed, but extra thick should feel like it's going to stick around in your mouth for a while.

taste

It tastes like coffee, but it's much more than that. It is very difficult to describe for a person who has just been exposed to extra concentrate. When you taste espresso for the first time, you might expect it to have lots of different flavors until the aroma wears off. Taste will dance from the front of the tongue, to the back, and finally down the throat. Try to feel the "coffee flavor""below," looking for earthy, floral, fruity, woody, and that smooth, pleasant flavor.

aftertaste

The good taste of espresso should stay long after you sip it. A truly great coffee lover should happily linger over the feeling that coffee has been consumed! If you feel a burning sensation, or a bitter taste to rid yourself of, then it's time to move on.