In recent years, Americans have been developing a taste for the finer things in life. We've been putting down mass produced goods in pursuit of gourmet, hand crafted creations. One example of this artisanal movement is a growing trend of gourmet coffee shops.

When visiting one of these coffee shops the drinker will notice the difference in a cup of espresso at once. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, only freshly roasted beans are used at these shops. Coffee served at these shops is richer and fuller than most normal cafes and the acidity is well balanced. The crema on top is darker and much longer lasting than from normal American cafes. This is due to careful brewing techniques that properly emulsify the sugars and oils in the coffee. Often the person who makes the coffee will pour it in a way that creates a pattern in the crema, such as a heart or leaf.