Are you supposed to put milk in espresso?

Question

i just made some Ethiopian medium/dark roast coffee (freshly roasted and ground. should i put sugar or cream in it or drink it black? what do the coffee conisours do?

Answer 1

well it depends.

did you make it in an espresso machine? if not, its not an espresso

if you add milk/cream it isnt an espresso either, other than about a teaspoon sized drop of milk foam, in which case it becomes a macchiato

a single shot espresso is 1 - 1.5 fl.oz (28ml = fl.oz) of coffee & water prepared in an espresso machine.  for a double shot, double these measures.

as soon as you add to that it isnt an espresso, basically

having said all that, you are entitled to drink your coffee how you please, just remember that espresso has a fairly strict definition & should not be confused with the popular term 'espresso based beverages' which basically means starting with an espresso then tipping in whatever takes your fancy.  this isnt espresso.  the term covers cappuccino, lattes, and even cocktails with a shot of espresso rolling around in the bottom somewhere

what i suggest is you try it without additives first, then add a small amount of whatever you fancy if you decide to

also, leave a cup of it to go cold (without additives).  tasting your coffee when it is cold is the ultimate taste test - it will reveal any imperfections or deficiencies in the roast

kind regards

reiss.

Answer 2

it seems you went out of your way to purchase high quality coffee so do not taint it with sugar and cream.

coffee connoisseurs usually put it in a small cup, smell the aroma, then slurp it to taste the different flavor profiles of the coffee. it might be herbal, earthy, sweet, acidic. research coffee terms and where different tastes hit your taste buds.

after you taste it, you can put whatever you like on it, but it seems worthless to me, since you are buying high quality coffee. good luck on your journey!

Answer 3

Ethiopian Coffee you say? Maybe you should drink it like the Ethiopians drink it!

"...water has been put to boil in a black clay coffee pot (jebenah) on a charcoal fire.... coffee powder into the Jebena and allows it to boil for five minutes. She then sets the pot on a straw ring for a short  time so that the grounds will settle to the bottom of the brew.

Coffee Serving

The coffee is served in small demitasse cups that have no handles. ...eldest first, then the others according to their age and status.  This first cup of coffee is called the “abol”.  When everyone has been served, the girl will add more water to the jabena and put it back on the fire to boil again. From this boiling comes the “huletenya” or second cup. The process is repeated once more for a “sostenya” or third cup. In some areas, where coffee is plentiful, men and women  drink ten or more  cups in a day.

Ethiopian coffee is never served alone... always offers either injera, spongy Ethiopian flat bread, or qita, a dry pancake-style bread. Side items can include butter, hot red pepper, toasted wheat, barley or maize. In some areas, nutmeg, small amounts of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cloves or black pepper are added to the jabena during brewing. "

Answer 4

The Ethiopian Sidamo, is a wonderful blend. If you drink it with cream or sugar, the best sugar to use it the raw sugar. Not too much cream though, the more cream, the less distinct flavor.

Answer 5

Well it depends on the type of espresso machine you have.

Some just need you to put water in the water tank and espresso where it is supposed to go.

Then there are some other espresso machines that have a milk and water tank.

The water tank for making the espresso and the milk for adding the espresso.

The espresso is poured and the machine usually pours hot milk before/after the espresso is poured to get what is called an espresso.

Answer 6

The point of an espresso is to have a Strong coffee.  Most coffee connoisseur's prefer it black so that you do not destroy the integrity of the coffee.  If you're gonna go the whole nine yards and get the good stuff, don't mess it up with cream and sugar.  

Answer 7

No, espresso is usually served black in a small (demitasse) cup with a twist of lemon zest