Everybody loves a good espresso. The magic of espresso is taking a drink that would usually be bigger (around 12 oz. for the typical cup of coffee) and turning it into a mere 1 or 2 ounces. But in just these two ounces, you can find all of the flavor and aroma concentrated in a completely unique experience.
When espresso was invented, it caught on very quickly in Italy, where it was invented. In a matter of thirty years, espresso machines had spread all throughout Europe when, in the 1930s, automatic machines were invented.
Before automatic espresso machines, making espresso was a very different matter than it is now. You couldn’t have one of these at home because they were incredibly expensive and you needed an expert to operate them. But automatic machines practically work themselves!
Once automatic machines came out, there was no going back. In another thirty years, espresso could be had in any country in the world and espresso machines were a common sight anywhere from South America to Russia.
Espresso Con Panna
The espresso con panna is, surprisingly, a rather traditional drink. It predates more modern drinks like for example the frappuccino, the latte, or the cappuccino. In Italian, espresso con panna means literally “espresso with cream”. And although this is the name it is known in many countries, in most of Europe including France and England it is actually known as a “Viennese coffee”.
This points to this drink either being invented or popularized in Vienna, Austria. Because of its proximity with Northern Italy, Austria has always shared its love of coffee with this country and in many ways, they have shown their appreciation. The famous Mocha coffee, for example, was invented in Austria!
How to Make Espresso Con Panna?
The espresso con panna is a rather simple drink. You see, most coffee drinks that are espresso-based usually mix espresso with milk. Or milk first and then another ingredient. But the espresso con panna is just that: espresso with cream.
Maybe an important consideration is exactly what type of espresso you’re gonna have. Back then, when this drink was invented, dark roasted coffee was all the rage, so it would make sense that you go with a dark roast. However, dark roasts are not all that popular nowadays as people try to stay away from strong bitter flavors.
You might also try for a light roast, which is a relatively new movement. Light roasts are less bitter and are more palatable to drink black. Light roasts are usually the to-go choice for places like Starbucks to make sweeter beverages like Frappuccinos.
So, if you’ve already decided, here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
- 60ml of espresso coffee
- 90ml of whipped cream
Instructions
- Brew your espresso coffee. For this drink, it is traditionally served in a small coffee cup or a glass cup.
- Put the cup on top of a scale. Start adding whipped cream and stop once it hits 90.
- Enjoy!
The espresso con panna can be further topped with other things, like chocolate shavings, cinnamon, and so on. But it is a very good drink by itself—try it as it is first and then you can decide whether or not you’re going to add anything else to it.
FAQs
Does the Espresso Con Panna Have Milk in It?
No, it doesn’t. The espresso con panna is one of the very few traditional espresso-based drinks that doesn’t have any sort of milk in it. However, if you’re lactose intolerant, you should know that whipped cream is made from cream, which is dairy. This contains lactose and can still cause symptoms even if there’s no milk involved.
There are vegan alternatives to whipped cream that feel just like the real thing and don’t involve an upset stomach/intestine.
Do I Have to Make the Whipped Cream Myself?
Not necessarily; a lot of baristas simply add whipped cream store-bought from a can. You can do so too!
But if you like going above and beyond, you can also make the whipped cream by yourself at home. You simply need to buy heavy cream and something to flavor it with (like vanilla) and buy a whipped cream canister. These work a lot like the cans of whipped cream you buy at the store, except it is reusable. You can make your own whipped cream and add it just like you’re used to. And then, when you run out, instead of throwing it out you can just make more!
Does Espresso Con Panna Have Caffeine in It?
Yes; espresso coffee has caffeine. Since this is a double shot of espresso (60ml), an espresso con panna has approximately 120 mg of caffeine in it, which is the usual amount of caffeine per serving.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you can always make this recipe with decaf coffee. Nowadays, decaf can taste just like the real thing. At most, it won’t be as bitter as it could be—which is an advantage in this recipe, which tries to balance out coffee’s bitterness with whipped cream.
What is the Difference Between a Frappuccino and an Espresso Con Panna?
Well, it is true that both drinks have espresso and are whipped in them. But they are essentially two very different drinks. Espresso con panna is a simple, two-ingredient drink that is delicious because of its simplicity. It is also an old recipe.
Frappuccinos, however, is a more modern invention. They were invented by big coffee chains to sell more coffee. This is not to say that frappuccinos aren’t absolutely delicious: they are, and that’s the point. Big coffee chains invented these coffee drinks closer to a milkshake than traditional coffee beverages (like the espresso con panna) to appeal to a wider audience and thus sell more coffee.
So, even if they’re both coffees with whipped cream, a frappuccino has a lot more ingredients and is really more of a milkshake than a traditional coffee like the espresso con panna.