espesso

Espesso is a term that appears occasionally in product labeling and online discussions as an alternative spelling of espresso, the well-known Italian coffee beverage. There is no widely accepted definition of espesso within coffee terminology, and it is not recognized as a distinct beverage category by major coffee organizations. In most uses, espesso is simply a spelling variant or a branding choice rather than a separate method of preparation.

Etymology and usage: The form probably stems from a phonetic misspelling of espresso in Italian, English, or other languages. In branding contexts, espesso may be chosen to create a distinctive name or to avoid trademark issues. Because the term is not standardized, its meaning can vary by cafe or producer.

Preparation and characteristics: When espesso is used to refer to espresso in menus or product names, it typically points to the same preparation as espresso: ground coffee packed into a portafilter and extracted under high pressure to produce a small, concentrated shot with crema. If a particular outlet uses espesso to denote a different product, its recipe may differ; there is no universal standard.

Cultural usage and reception: The term appears sporadically in blogs and social media and can cause confusion with true espresso among casual coffee drinkers. Some consumers may encounter espesso as a brand name rather than a beverage type.

See also: Espresso, Coffee.