Unless you're a barista, you might not know what a ristretto is. In short, it's a concentrated variation of espresso.
In this article, we'll describe how espresso is made and then explain the difference between an espresso and a ristretto. After learning the differences, you might be surprised at how much you'd like to try a ristretto.
What is Espresso?
Let's start with the basics. An espresso shot consists of approximately 1-3 oz of intensely flavored, concentrated coffee . To make espresso shots, the machine forces pressurized hot water through the tamped grounds. This extracts the flavors that make espresso so distinctive.
The extraction takes between 20 and 30 seconds, depending on the settings and calibration of the machine used. Many customers order a double shot, also called a doppio, and some even order triple shots of espresso.
There are three parts to an espresso shot: the darker body at the bottom, the lighter core in the middle, and the light crema at the top. The air bubbles in the crema give espresso its characteristic aroma and aftertaste. Espresso can be served black or with sugar.
What is Ristretto?
A ristretto is extracted from an espresso machine using the same process. The difference is that it's brewed for less time and with half the amount of water, resulting in a highly concentrated espresso shot. The variation in water and brewing time creates three differences between a ristretto and a regular espresso: quantity, flavor, and caffeine level.
1. Quantity:
Since a ristretto shot is made with half the water, the result is a smaller shot. A normal espresso shot is about 1 oz, while a ristretto shot is 0.75 oz.
2. Flavor:
Ristretto will have a shorter extraction time and therefore produce a more concentrated flavor. It also has a sweeter finish than espresso.
3. Caffeine level:
Less extraction means less caffeine. Although it's a small difference, a ristretto has slightly less caffeine than a regular shot of espresso.
The best grain for a ristretto
The type of beans you choose and how they're roasted will often affect the flavor of the coffee . However, with ristretto, the roast type is less important, as the coffee will be extracted over such a short period of time.
It's still recommended to choose a low-acid coffee, such as a naturally processed coffee from Brazil, Sumatra, or Nicaragua, and coffees suitable for ristrettos are typically grown at lower altitudes. Mild beans with medium-low acidity are best suited to this type of extraction because a juicy, acidic coffee can be too acidic in a ristretto.
While the roast type isn't as important, medium-dark and dark roasts can be used to create ristrettos for those with less brewing experience. Since most of their acids have been roasted out, the flavor won't be affected, even if the shot is extracted too short. The ristretto's short brewing time also means that poor-quality or poorly roasted coffee can be used to brew it, as its negative flavors won't have time to be extracted.
How to make a ristretto at home?
The best way to prepare this coffee at home is using an espresso machine. However, most people don't have an espresso machine at home, but these coffee makers can produce the best ristretto:
- AeroPress
- Moka
The best part about these is the price. They're much less expensive than an espresso machine . However, you can't compare the coffee produced with one of these techniques to that made with an espresso machine.
Conclusion
So what's the bottom line? If you love espresso, you might love ristretto shots even more. It's a fairly common order at coffee shops, offering an interesting flavor difference. Avid ristretto drinkers appreciate the deeper flavor and slightly sweeter finish.
Some coffee shops love ristretto so much that they include it as a standard in some of their espresso drinks on their menu. Starbucks, for example, serves flat whites with ristretto shots. Next time you visit your local coffee shop, ask for a ristretto shot and compare it to an espresso.