The word espresso is Italian and stands for the way coffee is prepared. Nearly boiling water is forced through a small amount of finely ground coffee, resulting in a coffee with higher concentration of coffee & a layer of crema, or foam. Only good espressos have a nice layer of foam.

Due to the high pressure, the water is quickly forced through the coffee, allowing only the purest flavors to come through and preventing the taste from becoming bitter. The pressure also creates the crema, with Nespresso machines even reaching 19 bars of pressure.

Per capsule, the espresso coffees contain less caffeine than you would expect, less than, for example, a cup of filter coffee.

In the green coffee bean, the unique characteristics of each coffee are present. These characteristics truly come to life during the roasting process. It is during this process that bitterness, aromas, body, and acidity develop. The intensity and duration of the roasting determine which qualities form the foundation and which accents are emphasized. Each of our espressos undergoes its own unique roasting process to fully harness its potential and consistently achieve the perfect aroma profile.

Not only the roasting determines the final taste of the coffee in the cup. Grinding is also an important factor. The coarseness of the grind determines how long it takes for the water to flow through the capsule. The finer the grind, the longer the extraction time. And therefore, the more flavor in the cup. However, if the grind is too fine, it can release less pleasant aromas. To achieve the perfectly balanced espresso, the exact grind of the coffee is crucial. Just as each coffee has its own roasting profile, the fineness of the grind also varies. At Nespresso, we use unique and innovative techniques to create the perfectly balanced espresso.