The word ristretto can loosely be translated as ‘restrict’ or ‘narrow’ in English. However, the word is commonly used to describe the beverage and refers to its small volume of water and short extraction time. It’s prepared similarly to espresso, but with half the water, and while the amount of coffee is the same, a finer grind is used to slow its extraction. Extraction is generally stopped at around 15 seconds, instead of the espresso’s 25 to 30 seconds.
Based on extraction theory, the initial part of an extraction delivers the high notes and sweet flavours of espresso. Cutting it halfway in the extraction time, we stop the latter part of the extraction which contains more bitter and low notes.
You ain't tried Italian coffee till you tried ristretto!
Remember to drink it within 4 mins! 😂
