Espressos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A strong coffee drink produced by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans
2. A concentrated beverage commonly served in small amounts, known for its rich flavor and robust aroma
3. A small, intense coffee beverage made by pressing hot water through compacted coffee grounds

Etymology: The most surprising fact about this word is that its name describes a mechanical process rather than a drink. Italian "esprimere" means "to press out," from Latin "exprimere," built from "ex-" ("out") and "primere" ("to press"). The phrase "caffè espresso" therefore meant "pressed-out coffee," referring to coffee brewed by forcing hot water through grounds under pressure rather than letting it steep. The early name for this style of coffee was different. On the first Gaggia machines, the drink was sold as "caffè crema" (cream coffee), named for the golden foam, or crema, that forms on top. That term has since fallen out of use, and "espresso" took its place. Some other explanations have been proposed, including a link to the English "express" through the Italian "espresso" meaning "fast," or to "expressly," meaning made directly for the customer. These are not widely accepted, and the pressing sense is the one standard references support.