What Is Espresso? Single, double, ristretto, lungo & doppio explained
Espresso is the heart of almost every café drink, from a flat white to a Spanish latte. Here is what espresso actually is, how it is made, what crema means, how single, double, ristretto and lungo shots differ, and how to taste MR JADE’s own specialty roast as a shot on Emaar Boulevard.
What is espresso?
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground, tightly packed coffee at high pressure, usually around 9 bar, in about 25–30 seconds. It produces a rich, syrupy shot of roughly 30 ml topped with a golden-brown foam called crema. Espresso is a brewing method, not a type of bean or roast, and it is the base for lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and Americanos.
A single shot has about 63 mg of caffeine; a double, called a doppio, has about 125 mg.
| Method | Hot water forced through compacted coffee under pressure |
|---|---|
| Pressure | Around 9 bar |
| Time | About 25–30 seconds |
| Volume | About 30 ml single, 60 ml double |
| Grind | Fine, like table salt |
| Signature | A layer of golden crema |
| Caffeine | About 63 mg single, 125 mg double |
Typical café ranges. Exact dose, time and volume vary by coffee and recipe.
Single, double, ristretto, lungo and doppio.
The same coffee can be pulled shorter or longer to change the taste. These are the shot names you will hear in cafés around the world. At MR JADE, espresso is served single or double; for anything else, just ask the barista.
| Shot | What it is | Volume | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (solo) | One standard shot | ~30 ml | Balanced and intense |
| Double (doppio) | Two shots’ worth of coffee and water | ~60 ml | Fuller, more caffeine |
| Ristretto | A “restricted” shot with less water | ~15–20 ml | Sweeter, thicker, less bitter |
| Lungo | A “long” shot with more water through the coffee | ~50–60 ml | Thinner, more bitter |
| Americano | Espresso topped with hot water | Long cup | Milder, like filter coffee |
A lungo and an Americano are not the same: a lungo pushes more water through the coffee, while an Americano adds water afterwards. See americano vs espresso.
How a barista pulls a shot.
Espresso looks simple, but every step changes the cup. Small shifts in grind, dose or time can turn a sweet shot sour or bitter, which is why baristas “dial in” their espresso several times a day.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Grind | Beans are ground fine, just before brewing, so the aroma stays fresh. |
| 2. Dose | A measured amount of coffee goes into the portafilter basket. |
| 3. Distribute & tamp | The grounds are levelled and pressed into a firm, even puck. |
| 4. Extract | Hot water, around 90–96°C, is forced through at about 9 bar. |
| 5. Time & taste | The barista watches the flow and time, around 25–30 seconds, and adjusts the grind if needed. |
What is crema?
Crema is the reddish-golden foam on top of a fresh espresso. It forms when pressure dissolves carbon dioxide from freshly roasted coffee into the water; when the shot hits the cup, the gas escapes as tiny bubbles bound with coffee oils. Good crema is a sign of fresh coffee and a well-made shot, but it is not the whole story: taste matters more than looks. Crema fades within a minute or two, which is why espresso is best enjoyed straight away.
Thick and hazel-coloured
Usually a sign of fresh coffee and good extraction.
Thin and pale
Often under-extracted or stale coffee; the shot may taste sour.
Dark and patchy
Often over-extracted; the shot may taste bitter or harsh.
Stir it in
A quick stir blends the crema into the shot for a more even taste.
How to tell a good espresso.
A well-made shot should taste balanced: sweet, with gentle acidity and a pleasant bitterness, never harsh. Here is how to read your cup. The roast also shapes the flavour; see light vs medium vs dark roast.
| If it tastes… | It is probably… | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, thin, salty | Under-extracted (ran too fast) | Finer grind or longer shot |
| Bitter, harsh, dry | Over-extracted (ran too slow) | Coarser grind or shorter shot |
| Flat, papery | Stale coffee | Fresher beans |
| Sweet, rich, balanced | Well extracted | Enjoy it |
Drinks built on espresso.
Once you understand the shot, the rest of the menu makes sense: most café drinks are espresso plus milk, water, foam or chocolate in different amounts. Here is how the drinks on the MR JADE hot coffee menu are built.
| Drink | How it’s built |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Single or double shot |
| Macchiato | Espresso with a little frothy milk |
| Americano | Two shots lengthened with hot water |
| Flat White | Double espresso, silky milk, less foam, 8 oz |
| Latte | Espresso and steamed milk |
| Cappuccino | Espresso, steamed milk, generous foam |
| Spanish Latte | Espresso and sweetened condensed milk |
| Dark Mocha | Espresso, Belgian chocolate, steamed milk |
Espresso vs other ways to brew.
Espresso is just one way to turn the same beans into coffee. Each method uses a different grind, time and water ratio, so each tastes different even from one roast.
| Method | How it works | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Pressure, about 25–30 seconds | Small, intense, with crema |
| V60 pour-over | Gravity through a paper filter, a few minutes | Clean, light-bodied, aromatic |
| Turkish coffee | Simmered in a cezve, unfiltered | Thick, velvety, with sediment |
| Cold brew | Cold water steeped for many hours | Smooth, low-acid, often strong |
Espresso at MR JADE.
Our espresso is pulled from MR JADE’s own specialty roast, rooted in a roasting tradition passed down from Jade Sen’s grandfather. Order it single or double to taste the roast on its own, or with fresh milk delivered daily from a farm in Dubai, oat milk, or coconut milk from Bali. Read more in what is specialty coffee? and our story.
Single espresso
The purest way to taste our roast: short, intense and balanced.
Double espresso
Fuller and longer-lasting, with about twice the caffeine.
Prefer it iced?
Espresso over ice is a Dubai favourite; see iced coffee in Downtown Dubai.
Where espresso comes from.
Espresso was born in Italy in the early 1900s, when inventors built machines to brew coffee quickly, to order, under pressure. The name is often linked to coffee made “expressly” for you. In the 1940s, lever machines brought the high pressure that created crema, and espresso bars spread across Italy and then the world. Today it is the foundation of global café culture, including Dubai’s.
Early 1900s
The first commercial espresso machines appear in Milan.
1940s
Lever machines create higher pressure and the first true crema.
Late 20th century
Espresso-based drinks spread worldwide through café chains and specialty shops.
Today
Specialty cafés focus on fresh roasting and precise extraction for every shot.
Espresso near Downtown’s landmarks.
MR JADE Coffee is at R01, Burj Crown, Emaar Boulevard. Sit at our outdoor tables, work from our work-friendly café, grab it as takeaway, or order through Deliveroo or noon Food via our delivery page.
| Near Dubai Mall | Open from 7 AM |
|---|---|
| Near Burj Khalifa | A few minutes along Emaar Boulevard |
| Open now | Live opening status, every day |
| Near Dubai Fountain | Before the evening shows |
Key takeaways
- Espresso is a brewing method: hot water forced through fine coffee at about 9 bar in 25–30 seconds.
- A single shot is about 30 ml and 63 mg of caffeine; a double (doppio) is about 60 ml and 125 mg.
- Ristretto is shorter and sweeter; lungo is longer and more bitter; an Americano adds water afterwards.
- Crema signals freshness, but taste is the real test of a good shot.
- Taste MR JADE’s own specialty roast as espresso at R01 Burj Crown, Emaar Boulevard, from 7 AM daily.
Espresso: your questions
Short answers before you order.
What is espresso?
A concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground, compacted coffee at about 9 bar of pressure in roughly 25–30 seconds.
Is espresso a type of coffee bean?
No. Espresso is a brewing method. Any bean or roast can be brewed as espresso, though medium to darker roasts are common.
What is a doppio?
A double espresso: twice the coffee and water of a single shot, about 60 ml, with about 125 mg of caffeine.
What is the difference between ristretto and lungo?
A ristretto uses less water for a shorter, sweeter shot. A lungo uses more water for a longer, thinner and more bitter shot.
How much caffeine is in an espresso?
About 63 mg in a single shot and about 125 mg in a double, depending on the coffee and dose.
What is crema?
The golden foam on top of espresso, formed by carbon dioxide and coffee oils released under pressure. It signals fresh coffee and good extraction.
Why does my espresso taste sour or bitter?
Sour usually means it ran too fast (under-extracted); bitter usually means it ran too slow (over-extracted). Grind size is the main fix.
Is espresso stronger than regular coffee?
Per sip, yes, it is far more concentrated. Per cup, a large filter coffee can contain as much or more caffeine than a single shot.
Can espresso be served iced?
Yes. Espresso poured over ice, or used in an iced latte or iced Americano, keeps the same caffeine as the hot version.
How should I drink espresso?
Fresh, within a minute or two. Stir once to blend the crema, then enjoy it in two or three sips, with a glass of water if you like.
Where can I get espresso near Dubai Mall?
MR JADE Coffee at R01, Burj Crown, Emaar Boulevard serves single and double espresso from 7 AM daily, a short walk from Dubai Mall.
Taste the shot behind every drink.
MR JADE Coffee, R01, Burj Crown, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, UAE.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 7 AM–11 PM · Friday–Saturday 7 AM–12 AM
