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General

crema

What does crema mean?

The tan-coloured foam that crowns a properly pulled espresso shot — emulsified oils and CO2 forced out of the beans by the pressure. Thick stable crema = fresh beans and a clean pull. No crema = stale beans or a botched extraction. Baristas read it like tea leaves.

"Look at that crema, that's a beautiful shot."

Origin

Italian for 'cream' — named for its appearance.

Frequently asked questions

What does crema mean in coffee?
Crema is the pale, foamy layer that forms on top of a freshly pulled espresso shot.
How do you use crema in a sentence?
"A thick golden crema is a sign of a well-extracted shot."
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.