In Italy, there are just about as many kinds of coffee as there are kinds of pasta. Maybe there should be a required course about Italian coffee before a passport is accepted. There are many coffees as well as many coffee traditions in Italy, and unless you want to be labeled a maleducato (a rude or ill-mannered person), you need to know that it is ESPRESSO and not EXPRESSO (an expresso is a fast train).

If you want to have a little fun, you can ask a group of Italians how to make a perfect cup of stovetop espresso. Then you can just sit back and watch the fur fly, so to speak. You can bet the discussion will be a little more than just heated. Every one in the group will have their own individual method for making that perfect cup of stovetop espresso.

There are so many types of espresso machines that it is difficult to keep track. There are automatic espresso makers, pump-driven espresso machines, lever piston espresso machines, and, of course, the classic aluminum espresso coffee maker (a moka pot or The Moka Express). That one was invented back in the 1930s.

But we have only begun to scratch the surface of Italian coffee here. The choices of the kind of coffee to order at what time of day and under what circumstances can be more confusing that a Starbucks menu. Usually coffee is only served with breakfast. At other meals, coffee is ordered after the meal is over and you should never order an espresso after a meal. It is correct to simply order “a coffee, please.” If you are brushing up on your Italian that would be, “un caffè, per favore.”

Coffee and all of the traditions associated with the drinking of coffee are an important part of Italy. You need to know before you go.

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If not careful, one may assume that there is such a thing as an espresso coffee bean.  However, any coffee bean could be used to make espresso.  Of course not all coffee beans are created alike.  In order to make the best espresso care should be taken to chose a bean that meets your taste.  The bolder or milder the bean equates to the taste level of the espresso.  Many gourmet suppliers could fulfil anyones wishes as far as the flavor you may desire from your espresso.

Is there an art to making espresso?  A barasita, a sort of bartender for coffee, is someone that has mastered the art of making the best espresso.  However, with the right equipment and a little practice everyone is capable of making a great cup of espresso.  In fact given enough practice, anyone can reach the barasita level.

In order to make your espresso the best possible, you must start with quality ingredients.  Gourmet coffee beans that are fresh will allow for the best aroma and flavor.  Next, using the whole beans and grinding the coffee just before use you are able to keep the flavor enhanced.  When grinding the coffee there are two main options, a burr or blade grinder.  A serious coffee drinker may want to take the extra expense to buy the burr type grinder.

The next step is using the espresso maker which may seem a daunting process at first glance.  Yet, the actual process is not that complicated.  Many guides are available.  Also, most espresso machines come with the needed instructions to get the coffee made to satisfaction.  Again, with quality espresso coffee beans, which we already covered can be any type bean, you can make excellent espresso to have in the comfort of your own home.