One of the most commonly misunderstood things about espresso (besides thinking it’s expresso) is whether or not espresso is a level of roast. It’s not. Espresso is a process of making coffee. Coffee does not become espresso once it is roasted to an oily sheen; coffee becomes espresso once it is made by the use of pressurized hot water.

This process creates a liquid (espresso) that has a higher density of dissolved solids and exhibits a layer of crema. Espresso is therefore, very concentrated and very different in taste than coffee brewed with other brewing methods.