Specifically in Italy, everyone has a similar mental picture when they hear “espresso.” It’s a small heavy china cup whose capacity is around 50ml. It is half full with a dark brew and then topped by thick, reddish-brown foam of tiny bubbles. Millions of cups are sold worldwide each day, every consumer finding a place for it in their day; morning eye-opener, capping off a meal later in the day, or perhaps offering a sense of revival at the end of a long day.
Naturally, most people concern themselves with the simple act of consuming the espresso. A closer look at the process demonstrates...
