Essence of Espresso

What is espresso?  The word original has been attributed to the Italians (from espresso, rapid) but an even better definition may well be the French version: expres' "Made expressly for you."   Well-made espresso is a haunting glimpse into the soul of the coffee.  The experience is as fragile and fleeting as it is intense and memorable: the flow of golden crema, the room filling aroma, then one, perhaps two sips of nectar and then...it's gone, except for the exquisite aftertaste and indelible memory.