Coffee beans consist mostly of an endosperm that contains a specific amount of caffeine, which is one of the major reasons why coffee is grown and cultivated.

Coffee is one the world’s favourite consumables and so coffee beans are in high demand and a major export commodity for many countries.

Cultivation of coffee beans originated in Ethiopia in approximately 850 C.E and farming of coffee beans then spread to Arabia where it was first mentioned in writings around the 900 C.E.
The Americas were first introduced to the coffee plant in 1723 and now South America is responsible for the production of over 50% of the world’s coffee beans.

Species or varieties of coffee beans include:Coffea arabica, Coffea benghalensis, Coffea canephora, Coffea congensis, Coffea excelsa, Coffea gallienii, Coffea bonnieri, Coffea mogeneti, Coffea liberica, and Coffea stenophylla.

Different types of coffee bean varieties produce coffee with slightly different characteristics.

Espresso beans have more caffeine per unit volume than most other coffee beverages. Espresso beans are not a specific bean as such but still categorised as espresso beans as they are primarily used to produce espresso style coffee via the use of an espresso machine.

In Italy espresso beans are roasted differently depending on the area. In Southern Italy darker roasted espresso beans are preferred compared to the far north of the country which locals tend to be more fond of lighter roasted espresso beans.

Espresso Coffee has more caffeine than most beverages. A double shot of espresso coffee (60ml) should have the same amount of caffeine as a standard cup of drip brewed coffee.
In coffee brewing terms, espresso coffee and brewed coffee should have the same extraction but espresso coffee has a higher brewing strength due to less water.

The preparation of a cup of espresso coffee requires the use of an espresso coffee machine. The pressurised steam from the espresso coffee machine extracts the oils from the ground coffee which is sitting in the groove head to produce a shot of espresso coffee.
Espresso coffee doesn’t come from a specific type of coffee bean or roast level as such. It is a method of making coffee. Any roasting stage or coffee bean can be used to produce traditional espresso coffee.

Of recent times, espresso coffee has become increasingly consumed in many parts of the globe. Home espresso coffee machines have helped drive this increase and interest in espresso coffee. These days every major and medium sized home retail store stock a wide range of home espresso coffee equipment.

The increased popularity of espresso coffee can be associated with urbanisation and the increase in espresso coffee bars. These espresso coffee bars and/or cafes have become a place to socialise and experience the taste of espresso coffee more freely.

In Australia, espresso coffee consumption grew in popularity in the early years due to the ban on serving alcohol. Australia has the second highest ownership of domestic espresso coffee machines per capita in the world only behind Germany.

Espresso coffee was initially popular in Italy and grew in popularity with tourism exposure. Espresso coffee is also becoming more widely accepted and available in the Middle East with many westernised espresso coffee bars and cafes opening. However the most common type of coffee still consumed till this day is Turkish style coffee which is also served short like classic espresso coffee.

Espresso coffee is associated with the use of a professional espresso coffee machine and grinder.

Espresso can now be made with new innovative pressurised hand held espresso machines such as the Handpresso and Mypressi.

The term ‘espresso’ is derived from the process of pressing out or expressing which can be related to the method of espresso coffee preparation with the use of an espresso machine.
The first Bezzera and Pavoni espresso coffee machines in 1906 took 45 seconds to prepare one cup of coffee.

Espresso coffee can be served on its own or with milk and water to produce a variety of other espresso coffee based beverages. These include, flat white, macchiato, mocha, cappuccino and latte, Americano, and long black.

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