Espresso:
The Path to Perfect Coffee Enjoyment

“Espresso”—an absolute classic and the epitome of coffee enjoyment. Behind every drop of this iconic beverage lies much more than precise preparation: A fascinating history full of innovation and passion. From the hissing steam of a Milanese invention in the early 20th century to a global cult drink—we unveil the secrets behind its origin, the unique espresso flavor of Nespresso, and its modern-day perfection.

Table of Content

1. Espresso – An Intense Taste Experience
2. The History of Espresso: From Experiment to Italian Classic
3. From Mild to Intense: Discover Our Espresso Capsules
4. A Small Coffee Moment – How to Drink Espresso?
5. Espresso Recipes

Espresso – An Intense Taste Experience

The classic espresso stands out with its hazelnut to dark brown crema and its fine-textured consistency. The noticeable flavors can range from fruity, floral notes to intense chocolaty and spicy tones.

To prepare espresso, hot water is pressed through finely ground coffee under high pressure, ideally with a 1:2 ratio of coffee to water. Perfecting espresso preparation requires experience and care. The beans—often with higher Robusta content for a richer crema—are specially roasted and finely ground for espresso. Traditionally, espresso beans are roasted dark, but lighter roasts that highlight fruity flavors are also becoming popular.

The roasting process influences the acidity, bitterness, and body of the espresso. Thanks to its concentrated extraction, espresso tastes stronger and more intense than, for example, filter coffee. The degree of roasting and extraction you choose depends on your personal preferences.

Good espresso is an art that demands precision: the amount of coffee, grind size, brewing temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and extraction time must be harmoniously balanced. The secret to our exceptional flavor experience lies in the careful calibration of these parameters. The recyclable aluminum capsule ensures consistently high quality and freshness.

Additionally, the capsule guarantees precise dosing and consistent extraction—key to an espresso of unmistakable quality every time. Our Nespresso machines perfect the ritual: At the touch of a button, they deliver top-quality espresso by ensuring the ideal brewing conditions for each capsule.

The History of Espresso: From Experiment to Italian Classic

“Espresso” does not refer, as often assumed, to a specific coffee variety but rather to the preparation method: The name derives from the Latin “exprimere” (to press out) and describes the process in which hot water is pressed through finely ground coffee under pressure—a now ubiquitous preparation method whose history is surprisingly little known.

The history of espresso begins in the early 20th century in Milan, when inventor Luigi Bezzera developed a revolutionary method that turned coffee brewing on its head. Instead of boiling or filtering, he pressed water through coffee using steam pressure—and voilà, espresso was born!

Although his machine initially did not achieve a breakthrough, Desiderio Pavoni recognized its potential and improved the design to popularize espresso in cafés. Later, Achille Gaggia entered the scene and revolutionized the preparation with his piston lever mechanism, which created the famous crema.

With the introduction of electric pumps, espresso preparation eventually became the standard, and companies like La Marzocco and Faema made it a delight for everyone1

From Mild to Intense: Discover Our Espresso Capsules

With coffees from the ORIGINAL and VERTUO collections, you can create unique espresso moments. We present a selection of carefully chosen espressos from both collections.

Volluto, a true espresso classic and one of the first Nespresso capsules ever, delights with a mild roast of Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans. Its aroma stands out with fine pastry notes and a fruity sweetness.

Napoli, an espresso of intense power with an intensity level of 13. The high Robusta content lends it chocolaty and spicy notes, rounded off by a slightly bitter nuance and increased caffeine content.

Arpeggio, impresses with an intense, bittersweet chocolaty taste, primarily derived from the roasting of pure Arabica beans. Despite its robust aroma, this espresso has an average caffeine content.

Voltesso presents itself as the flavorful counterpart to Volluto from the ORIGINAL system. Similar to its counterpart, it unfolds an aroma with pastry notes, accompanied by fruity and wine-like nuances.

Altissio, an espresso comparable to Arpeggio, impresses with intense chocolaty notes complemented by fine cereal undertones.

Il Caffè mirrors the intensity of Napoli and reveals a complex array of flavors, including deep roast notes, chocolate, and a woody depth.

The recyclable Nespresso aluminum capsules preserve the aroma and ensure long-lasting freshness. They guarantee precise dosing, while our Nespresso machines deliver ideal extraction at the touch of a button.

A Small Coffee Moment – How to Drink Espresso?

In Italy, espresso is enjoyed more frequently. For optimal enjoyment, the espresso must be hot—hence it is traditionally served in small, ideally pre-warmed porcelain espresso cups.

The cup shape supports optimal heat retention and perfectly showcases the crema. Espresso is traditionally presented on a small saucer, accompanied by a spoon and a glass of still water to neutralize the palate before enjoying the espresso. Sugar and pastries tailored to the espresso flavor complete the coffee experience.

The espresso is considered an absolute coffee classic and is indispensable in coffee culture, particularly because of its versatility. Whether as a classic single shot or as a base for delicious espresso recipes and even cocktails. The following coffee specialties are all prepared using espresso:

Ristretto: Concentrated and powerful. For a Ristretto, the extraction time is shortened compared to a classic espresso, resulting in a more intense and concentrated flavor. A small but fine taste experience.

Lungo: Extended aroma. In contrast to the Ristretto, more water is pressed through the coffee grounds for a Lungo, creating a milder yet aromatic espresso with a greater volume.

Cappuccino: The Italian morning classic. A harmonious combination of espresso, hot milk, and a creamy layer of milk foam.

Latte Macchiato: Layer by layer indulgence. A Latte Macchiato consists of three layers: hot milk, a shot of espresso, and an airy topping of milk foam. A visual and flavorful highlight.

Flat White: Espresso with a velvety texture. A Flat White combines espresso with hot milk and a thin layer of fine microfoam that blends smoothly with the coffee.

Espresso Martini: The classic among coffee cocktails. An Espresso Martini combines the invigorating effect of espresso with the elegance of vodka and the sharp sweetness of coffee liqueur.

Espresso has evolved from an Italian national drink into a global phenomenon—and its story is far from over. With each new innovation and creation, the world of espresso becomes richer and more diverse. Thanks to innovative espresso preparation with coffee capsules, we can witness this development up close and enjoy perfect espresso anytime—Italian lifestyle at the push of a button. Explore the variety of our espresso options and find your personal favorite taste.