In Italian the term espresso means made on the spot, and an espresso should always be served immediately after making. No matter what you are drinking whether you are having a latte or a cappuccino, it will be based on an espresso. On average it will take about 42 coffee beans to make an espresso.

What has more caffeine an espresso or a normal cup of filter coffee, you may be surprised to learn that it is normal filter coffee. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is determined by the length of time the water is in contact with the coffee beans. That means if you are looking for a good caffeine hit, surprisingly, you will be better of going for a normal filter coffee.

What you should be looking for in a good espresso is a that it has a dark colour; it is rich in taste and has a natural light brown froth on the top. The froth on top is called the crema. You will find that the crema is the heart and soul of the true espresso flavour, and is the true sign of a good cup off coffee.

When making a cappuccino remember to follow the rule of thirds one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk and one-third foamed milk. If you remember this simple formula you will make the perfect cappuccino every time.

How your coffee will taste depends on the types of beans that are used to make it. The taste of the bean can also be affected by the how and where the coffee bean is grown. How the coffee bean was processed after being picked will also affect the taste. This means that you should really think about the type of coffee bean that you buy for your home or while out at the coffee shop. You may find that you prefer the taste of Java coffee or coffee grown in Hawaii is more to your liking. Just remember to buy top quality beans as this will always make a difference. Whether you buy your own beans and grind your own, or by beans already ground, how you store the coffee can have an affect on the coffee's taste. Always try and store the beans/grounds in an airtight container, I also like to store the container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Also remember to use good water, after all coffee is 98% water. If your tap water is poor quality I would try and use filtered water. You may think of using bottled water, but I would advise against this purely based on that it isn't good for the environment.

If you keeping these tips in mind you should be able to make yourself a perfect cup of coffee every time.