There is almost nothing that can beat the exceptionally delicious, concentrated espresso. Notably, though, espresso is not the only beverage on the menu with the not-so-famous, alternative choice – ristretto!
An increasing number of coffee lovers have heard of espresso, although, the same cannot be said when considering ristretto.
Although almost identical, a ristretto is the concentrated version of an espresso. Honestly, after reading this you will be amazed by how much you’ll long to try a ristretto!
Espresso Overview
- 1 oz of concentrated coffee per cup
- Long extraction
- Traditional and strong flavor
- High caffeine content
So, let’s begin with the basics. A classic shot of this drink is comprised of 1 to 3 ounces of concentrated, bold coffee. In order to make espresso, the coffee maker will go over the tamped coffee grinds with boiling hot water. This is how this dense, aromatic, and intense flavor is made, making espresso so well-loved.
The whole process takes up to 30 seconds, depending on the coffee machine used. There are many coffee addicts that order double or even triple shots of this mouth-watering java.
An espresso has three parts, being a dark ‘body’ at the bottom, lighter in its ‘heart’ and a delightful ‘crema’ on the top. The little air bubbles on the top give the espresso its signature taste. You can drink it either black or with sugar.
Ristretto Overview
- Half the water
- .75 oz of concentrated coffee per cup
- Quicker extraction time
- Focused, intense flavor with a sweet aftertaste
- Less caffeine
Basically, a ristretto is the pulled version of espresso, implementing an identical making process. Ultimately, the difference is that it is much quicker to prepare as it uses half the water the espresso requires.
As a ristretto is made with less water, the final product is a smaller shot, precisely .75 oz. However, one of the advantages of this java is that it is much quicker to make, meaning that it offers a much more intense flavor with a surprisingly refreshing, sweet finish.
The differences between the two drinks are subtle but crucial to the flavor.
Last Thoughts
If you are a fan of espresso, you may fall in love with ristretto even more. Though it is not a common order, many coffee houses are already using ristretto shots on their menu. For example, most coffee shops use it to prepare flat whites. Even though they are almost indistinguishable, it’s well worth trying out what ristretto shots have to offer!
Are you new to the world of authentic coffee preparation? Check out our best beginner’s espresso machine reviews, as well as our best espresso tampers of the year, to make sure you equip yourself with high-quality coffee-making items.
