Crema
Crema is the golden-brown foam layer on top of an espresso, formed during the extraction of espresso.
Crema is made up of CO2 gas bubbles trapped in dissolved coffee oils, along with proteins and melanoidins. The color of crema ranges from light golden brown to dark golden brown, and the texture is smooth, dense and elastic. In the world of specialty coffee, “Shot” and “Espresso” are often used interchangeably, but the subtle difference lies in the legendary crema. The characteristic golden brown foam, is not only an aesthetic element, but also a measure of the quality of an authentic cup of espresso.
At XLIII Coffee, the crema is removed to provide a clearer coffee experience, allowing customers to directly taste the natural flavor from the first sip. This is especially important with specialty coffee, where flavor is honored through the smallest details.
