White cup of coffee with beans In the past, when you ordered or made yourself a coffee, everything was quite simple. You had options, but they were quite limited: instant or long brew; black or white; with or without caffeine. Now, however, there are so many choices that it can sometimes be a little confusing.
In the homeland where espresso was invented, this type of coffee has become a national standard: 30 ml of rich, short, creamy coffee with a persistent aroma, and many variations have been invented based on it.
At a time when we were all getting used to flat whites and espresso, ristretto immediately appeared on the scene.
So what is ristretto? Simply put, ristretto is the shortest coffee of all. Another Italian word sometimes used for ristretto is corto. This is the strongest coffee available and is significantly stronger than espresso. It is the grinding and the brewing method that make ristretto such a special drink.
making coffee in a coffee machine
Origin of the word ristretto
The word "ristretto" in Italian means "limited, narrow." This raises the question: why do we use this word and how did Italian become the language of coffee? How did it become the language of everyone's favorite caffeinated drink when the drink itself originated in Ethiopia and doesn't grow at all in Italy itself?
Interestingly, one of the reasons we use so many Italian terms to describe coffee relates to espresso. The method of making espresso coffee itself was developed in Italy in the 19th century. Although the original machines were heavy and bulky, it was Luigi Bezzera from Milan who created the disposable coffee machine at the beginning of the 20th century. Today Bezzera is still in business.
The espresso shot is the basis for many of our favorite coffee drinks, from flat whites to lungos to macchiatos. You need to understand that espresso is a method of preparation, and not a type of coffee bean, as many may think.
How to cook Turke
It is quite difficult to prepare ristretto in a Turk, but the accuracy of the process can be judged by the absence of white spots on the dense coffee foam, which means low caffeine content. If we take the total amount of ingredients, it does not change.
Any type of ristretto is prepared in a Turk; the taste does not change.
Ristretto: how is it different from Espresso?
At a basic level, espresso is made by forcing a small amount of water through a finely ground and tightly compacted layer of coffee under extremely high pressure. Depending on your coffee machine, the amount of coffee and amount of water may vary.
You get a tasty and concentrated dose of coffee. The best part is what this process also creates is a delicious foam on the surface of the shot.
One of the many variations of the espresso method is called ristretto. When preparing the ristretto, you limit the water supply to half. This limitation means that less water saturates the layer of ground coffee and results in lower caffeine levels, which some consider a disadvantage.
However, if you want to get more technical, the following ratio of water to coffee is used:
Espresso - 1:2
Ristretto - 1:1
Ristretto is made from the same amount of ground coffee as for espresso, but uses much finer ground coffee. Also, as stated above, only half the usual amount of water.
As a result, the final drink tastes much stronger than typical espresso. Despite its strength, ristretto does not taste as bitter as typical espresso, due in part to the speed of the brewing process.
Ristretto actually focuses on the more aromatic aspects of the espresso method. Although less water passes through the powder layer, it flows faster, leaving some of the "higher" notes of the coffee still intact.
The ratios of espresso and ristretto are different because the coffee elements dissolve at different rates when different amounts of water are used. This incredible chemistry results in ristretto being twice as strong as regular espresso.
When we make espresso, we consume approximately fifteen grams of coffee to produce somewhere around sixty grams of coffee. However, when we prepare a ristretto, fifteen grams of coffee produces thirty grams of drink.
You could also say that we stop the extraction process earlier and different compounds are extracted at different stages of extraction. For this reason, ristretto does not taste like regular espresso, but rather like a sweet syrup.
preparing ristretto
Which coffee machine is better to use?
Almost any coffee machine will work here. It is more convenient to cook in a model with adjustable strength. This way, you don’t have to count down the cooking seconds yourself—the machine will do everything for you.
If you have a very simple coffee machine without additional functions, no special training is required. All you have to do is do everything as usual - pour water, add coffee. Next cook according to the recipe.
If the coffee machine has additional functions, such as adjusting the strength, you need to use them, following the instructions for the device. To determine whether the “correct” ristretto is obtained, you need to pay attention to the stream of coffee flowing from the coffee machine.
If it looks like a mouse's tail , everything is done correctly. If the stream is constantly interrupted, you need to change the grinding. The taste and consistency of the drink can be adjusted using special settings.
What grains to use
There is no consensus on the choice of grains for preparing ristretto even in its homeland. In northern Italy they prefer to use medium roast beans. This way, the drink reveals more sweet notes, similar to floral ones.
In the south, ristretto is prepared from heavily roasted grains. The taste is richer and stronger . So when choosing, rely on your taste.
When it comes to choosing the type of coffee, there are no restrictions. You can use one type that you already love, or enjoy a blend of several. The beans should be ground immediately before preparing coffee. The grind size should be slightly smaller than for espresso.
Ristretto - the perfect drink
Ristretto is often called the “ideal drink.” While some debate whether ristretto is actually worth all the hype, others are convinced that it offers the perfect coffee experience.
Ristretto has its own exclusive, sweet and fruity taste.
It is known that tasting is an art, and “limited” coffee is for true connoisseurs. By sipping coffee and passing it throughout the mouth, sensations reach from the taste buds to the brain, and we can appreciate the balance between flavors and the right harmony of bitter and sweet. On the edge of the tongue you can feel a sensation of freshness for a while, an indicator of the level of acidity. Typically, coffees with a high percentage of Arabica contain more of this note.
Contraindications and harm
The use of corto increases the heart rate and blood pressure. When consumed in the evening, before bedtime, the drink can cause insomnia and difficulty falling asleep.
You should stop using Literelli if:
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- insomnia, sleep disorders;
- hypertension;
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- under 18 years of age.
It is not recommended to consume ristretto on an empty stomach. The drink may cause digestive problems due to its laxative and diuretic effects.
Ristretto can only be prepared in a coffee machine
Ristretto can only be prepared in a coffee machine. French press, Aeropress and Turk are not suitable for this.
Hot water (maximum 95 degrees), under pressure of about 9 bar, flows through the coffee powder. This process is called extraction.
The result depends on many variables: bean size, freshness, blend, country of origin of the coffee beans, degree of roast, temperature and water quality. But the most important thing is the contact time of water and coffee powder.
Simply because the amount of caffeine is proportional to the extraction time, so the less time the water is in contact with the coffee powder, the less the amount of caffeine in the drink.
Ristretto is therefore a reduced espresso that concentrates all the flavors of the espresso. A strong-flavored coffee that is chosen for its intense creaminess and lower concentration of caffeine, which is desired only for enjoyment. It's a pity that it runs out quickly due to the small volume.
Short coffee is nothing more than regular coffee, sweet, aromatic, rich. Has an intense creaminess.
coffee
Caffeine and calories
The caffeine content of ristretto depends on the grind size of the coffee beans. The finer they are crushed, the less caffeine will be contained in the prepared drink.
A serving of Corto contains 10-15 milligrams of caffeine. For comparison, a cup of espresso contains 40-60 milligrams.
One cup of ristretto contains 1.35 kilocalories. One 5 gram teaspoon of sugar will increase its calorie content by 19.35 kilocalories. But this drink is not sweetened.
How to make your own ristretto?
The first key to making the perfect ristretto, as with many other types of coffee, is choosing the right type of coffee beans. You can choose the same beans as for espresso, keeping in mind that Arabica is generally sweeter than Robusta.
The best coffee to get good quality is a blend of Arabica and Robusta, in a ratio of 90/10, you may prefer a more balanced blend that consists of Robusta and Arabica coffee, in a 70/30 ratio, to have a very pleasant taste, more defined in limited coffee.
As strange as it may sound, the type of cup you choose will also affect the quality of your ristretto.
The next factor is to grind the beans in a suitable type of coffee grinder and the beans should be ground as finely as possible.
The water you use is just as important. In general, distilled and hard water are not suitable for ristretto. The best option is to choose filtered fresh water that is as soft as possible.
Start by changing the machine's setting to get 15ml of product in 15 seconds rather than a 30/30 espresso configuration.
Add cold water to the reservoir, then turn on the machine and let the water warm up.
As usual, load the ground coffee into the portafilter and tamp down with a tamper.
Connect the portafilter to your espresso machine and start the extraction process.
You will have to tighten the lever in the machine with more force to prevent too much water from getting inside the filter. To get good coffee, the machine should not be stopped until all the coffee has been drained. It is necessary to ensure that the flow of coffee stops, falling almost drop by drop.
If the coffee comes out slowly and is dark and dense in color, you will get an excellent ristretto coffee.
With a coffee maker the concept is the same. If you are using a mocha maker, fill the part where you add water to half full or a little more. Then place the coffee maker on low heat. This way, the water will boil more slowly, enriching itself with the aroma of coffee.
Ristretto is obtained as a pure energy concentrate, without distractions, so it should be drunk without any additives.
coffee machines
Bean selection
Fundamentally important for preparing ristretto, in addition to strict adherence to cooking technology, is the quality of the grains. The best drink is obtained from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta, and it is better to take coarsely ground Arabica and finely ground Robusta.
Important! You should not use only finely ground coffee to make coffee - this will clog the coffee machine filter, and as a result the drink will become bitter and the flavors will become less pronounced.
As for roasting, it is better that it be medium or strong - this way the grains will reveal more flavor shades in the finished drink. And it’s better if the coffee beans are roasted no earlier than a month or two ago - the longer they are stored, the less rich the drink will be.
What is the difference between ristretto and lungo, a pleasure that lasts longer
In Italy, one of the variants of espresso is a long, less dense coffee, lungo. The risk with this type of coffee is that it is prepared simply by increasing the extraction time to 35/40 seconds. Thus, the result is not only a more diluted drink, but also a more bitter one with more caffeine. In fact, the longer extraction process introduces a flavor into the cup that can also be quite different from regular espresso.
Contact with water exceeding the standard 25 seconds adds less digestible substances to the extraction, which make the aroma of the espresso unpleasant, producing bitter notes and a hint of burning.
Therefore, the best way to serve lungo coffee and satisfy the need for longer-lasting pleasure than 30 ml of espresso is to prepare normal espresso and serve the water separately. This is the only way to maintain the correct balance in the cup.
In the rest of the world, what Italians call long coffee is the norm.
And now ristretto is also used as a base for preparing other coffee drinks, so as not to dissipate the flavor when it comes into contact with other ingredients.
Beneficial features
The drink has a number of useful properties:
- invigorates and tones the body;
- lifts your spirits, helps cope with apathy and depression;
- warms, stimulates blood circulation;
- accelerates metabolism, promotes weight loss;
- increases productivity (especially during the training process);
- normalizes liver function;
- Helps stabilize the condition of oncological pathologies and diabetes.
What is Ristretto Bianco?
If you want to try ristretto but are a little concerned that it might be too strong, then ristretto bianco might be just what you're looking for.
Ristretto Bianco is a smaller café latte made with ristretto rather than espresso. We all know that a latte is a sweet coffee drink consisting of one shot of espresso and about eight ounces of steamed milk. If you don't want foam on top, you need to order a flat white, which is basically the same coffee.
Since the United States prefers large quantities of coffee, coffee shops usually prepare lattes with a double shot of espresso.
Thus, a Ristretto Bianco is a cafe latte made with a double or sometimes quadruple shot of ristretto using steamed milk and topped with foam. Since lattes are typically sweet drinks, a perfectly prepared ristretto is sure to enhance the flavor of the latte.
Ristretto coffee recipes
To brew a real ristretto, its recipe must be followed very precisely - especially pay attention to the ratio of coffee and water proportions, and also note the extraction time. Only then will you get ristretto, and not espresso.
Important! Due to the fact that the drink is prepared using a special technology, it cannot be brewed using a Turk or a French press - in all these cases, the result you get will be more similar to regular espresso. You need to use a coffee maker, or better yet, a modern carob coffee machine.
In the coffee machine
To brew the perfect ristretto, use a coffee machine. Modern models allow you to adjust the steam jet and extraction time, and some even have a special “ristretto” mode.
As for how to brew ristretto in a coffee machine, the process looks like this:
- You should grind the grains, take the required amount and compact them using a holder.
- Then you need to rinse the cup with boiling water and place it on the tray of the coffee machine.
- Turn on the coffee machine and finish brewing after 15 seconds of pouring water.
Classic recipe
To prepare ristretto according to the classic Italian recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground coffee beans - 10 grams.
- Purified water - 15 milliliters.
Prepare the drink as follows:
- Grind the coffee and place the required amount in the coffee machine holder.
- Run the coffee machine for 15 seconds.
- Complete coffee extraction.
Chocolate
You can also make a chocolate version, which will be sweeter and more interesting than the traditional one, but not as rich in subtle flavors.
The ingredients for it should include:
- Ground coffee - 9-10 grams.
- Water - 25 grams.
- Chocolate - 1-2 pieces of dark chocolate or a teaspoon of chocolate sauce.
You need to brew coffee according to this recipe in the same way as the classic method. The chocolate should be melted in a water bath or heated in the microwave until smooth. If you use chocolate sauce, you also need to heat it and then pour it into the cup with the finished drink.
Milk and whipping cream are sometimes also added to this recipe. With this method of preparation, milk is heated up and chocolate is dissolved in it, then this mixture is combined with freshly brewed ristretto and decorated with a cap of whipped cream. The recipe is quite rare, since it is very far from the classical understanding of what is considered a “real ristretto”.
Russian
There is also a recipe for a “Russian” version of the drink. Preparing such a ristretto is not much more difficult than a regular one. This option was nicknamed Russian by the Italians, who serve just such a drink to Russian tourists as espresso.
To prepare it, take:
- Coffee - 7-9 grams.
- Water - 30 milliliters.
As you can see, you will need twice as much water. Otherwise, the cooking process will be no different from the classic one. The result is something like a classic espresso with a short extraction time.
Cocktails and liqueurs based on ristretto
Ristretto is also an ingredient in several of the world's most delicious liqueurs, including Tia Maria, Kahlua and Galliano Ristretto. Yes, that's right: Launched in 2016, this liqueur not only contains ristretto, but is also the only espresso-based liqueur made using a variety of coffee beans.
The original Galliano was created in 1896 and is a blend of over 30 herbs and spices that goes through several different distillation processes to produce its characteristic flavor and texture.
You probably already know that there are two main types of coffee beans in the world: the soft, smooth Arabica and the slightly bitter, stronger-tasting Robusta. This incredibly tasty liqueur combines Robusta beans from India and Kenya and Arabica beans from Brazil and Colombia.
Cocktail “Baby Peppino Ristretto”
Ingredients:
- ristretto serving 15 ml;
- tequila 20 ml;
- Kahlua liqueur 10 ml;
- cream, cane sugar, grated chocolate - to taste.
Cooking method:
- Heat the tequila in a water bath and dissolve the sugar in it.
- Mix with liqueur and pour into a heated glass glass.
- Whip the cream until it forms a homogeneous foam (no steep peaks, it should flow).
- Cook the ristretto.
- Pour coffee into alcohol mixture.
- Pour a layer of cream on top of the knife blade.
- Decorate the cream with grated chocolate.
Classic ristretto recipe
Ristretto is not usually sweetened. Adding sugar or accompanying it with dessert will weaken its energy value.
It is also not recommended to drink ristretto with milk because it will remove all the flavor and intense creaminess of the drink.
Ingredients:
- fine espresso coffee or slightly coarser grind 7 g;
- water 15 ml.
Cooking method:
- Press the coffee in a holder with a tamper.
- Install the holder into the coffee maker.
- Place the heated cup in the tray to collect drips.
- Cooking time 15 seconds.
- Some baristas even believe that this drink can replace decaffeinated coffee.
ristretto
Alternative ristretto recipe
Ingredients:
- finer ground coffee than fine espresso 7 g;
- water 15 ml.
Cooking method:
With this method, the extraction sometimes lasts up to 20 seconds until 15 ml of coffee is collected in the cup. This way you can make the ristretto stronger than in the classic version. But it is important to ensure that the coffee maker filters do not become clogged due to grinding too fine.
Double ristretto
The drink is prepared from 14 g of ground coffee and 30 ml of water. Extraction time is the same as in the main recipe.
Chocolate ristretto
Ingredients:
- double ristretto 30 ml;
- milk 30 ml;
- dark chocolate 2-3 slices;
- whipped cream and chocolate sauce - to taste.
Cooking method:
- Grind the chocolate.
- Dissolve chocolate in milk in a water bath.
- Lightly whip the cream until foamy.
- Brew a double ristretto.
- Pour milk and chocolate into coffee.
- Pour cream along the blade of a knife into a cup and garnish with chocolate sauce.
Features of cooking at home
To prepare ristretto coffee at home, follow the instructions exactly.
Required Ingredients
Choose high quality grains. It is better if it is 100% Arabica. Thanks to the peculiarities of preparation, the taste of single varieties is revealed especially well, so give this grain preference when choosing. To prepare using classic technology, you will need an espresso grind or a slightly coarser one (but finer than average).
To make the ristretto excellent, use 100% Arabica.
If you want to prepare corto using an alternative technology, use a finer grind. In this case, the extraction time will have to be increased to 18-20 seconds. Italians prefer a medium roast bean, while those in the South recommend a dark roast, which brings out the chocolate flavor.
Take bottled water. Mineralization should be 75-250 mg/l. Avoid using tap liquid. Ristretto cooked on it will acquire an unpleasant aftertaste and smell of bleach.
Process steps
Grind the coffee beans 5-10 minutes before brewing. This way they won’t have time to release the taste and aroma to the air, and the drink will turn out to be thicker in consistency.
Use a coffee machine to brew. French press and Turkish press are not suitable for making corto. Remove the holder and wipe thoroughly to keep it dry. Insert it in its original place, then fill it with 8-11 g of ground coffee. Soak for 3-5 seconds. Then turn on the water flow for 15-20 seconds. During this time you will receive 15-20 ml of drink.
How to serve and drink ristretto
Ristretto is coffee served in small thick-walled porcelain, ceramic coffee cups, or small glass glasses without handles. Demitasse is also used. These are special coffee cups with a capacity of 60-90 ml, and are ideal for such a strong little drink.
Before cooking, it is better to rinse the cup with boiling water. Thanks to heating and thick walls, the drink will stay hot much longer.
According to Italian tradition, ristretto is served with a glass of cold water to refresh the taste buds before tasting the drink. This helps not to mix its taste with the taste of food.
According to the classic recipe, ristretto is drunk without milk and sugar, in its pure form.
It is better not to use it on an empty stomach. This can harm your stomach and digestive system. It is best to drink it after meals. But Italians can drink 8-10 cups of this rich coffee a day, drinking it in 1-2 sips, without having time to leave the bar.
coffee
What is the price
You can drink a cup of ristretto in almost any coffee shop. The only question is how skillful the barista is (read about the profession), whether the coffee machine is set up and whether the quality of the beans is used in preparation.
On average, the price of a cup of coffee in a coffee shop ranges from 60 to 120 rubles, depending on the region. In a restaurant, the pleasure will cost more - 150-200 rubles per cup.
Submission rules
Ristretto is usually served in thick-walled dishes.
Ristretto is usually served in thick walls so that the small volume does not have time to cool. You can’t serve sweets with this drink, it’s not customary, but nuts rolled in sugar are added.
Another rule is that the ristretto is served with a glass of cool water, sips of which alternate with coffee. This is done in order to refresh the receptors for a new sip.
