Espresso

Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee beverage that, in the European Union and especially in Germany, is traditionally served in very small cups of about 30–60 ml. Due to preparation under high pressure with finely ground, dark-roasted beans, it offers an intense aroma with a dense crema and a relatively low calorie content. Typical German nutrition data indicate that espresso provides around 9 kcal per 100 ml, which corresponds to about 5 kcal per 60-ml serving, with roughly 1.7–2 g of carbohydrates and about 0.2 g of fat per 100 ml.[1][3][4] It is practically free of dietary fibre, contains only trace amounts of protein and fat, and has very little salt; values such as 0.036 g salt per 100 ml translate to roughly 14 mg sodium per typical serving.[3]

The caffeine content of espresso is high relative to its volume, typically around 80 mg of caffeine per 60 ml, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) uses such an espresso as a reference portion in its caffeine assessments.[6] Despite this high concentration, the absolute caffeine amount per serving is often lower than in a large filter coffee, because the consumed volume is much smaller.[2] Within the EU, packaged beverages must display the **EU nutrition declaration** per 100 ml, and for espresso this usually shows very low values for energy and nutrients. For consumers in Germany, this means that espresso can be regarded as a virtually low-calorie hot drink, valued primarily for its aroma and caffeine content, while sugar and calories become nutritionally relevant mainly when additional sugar or milk products are added.

From a nutritional perspective, espresso is well suited for individuals seeking a caffeinated beverage with minimal calories. Since the EU-wide nutrition labeling per 100 ml for espresso lists very low levels of fat, sugar, and protein, this drink contributes only marginally to overall daily energy intake for most people.[1][3][4] At the same time, EFSA notes that single doses of up to 200 mg caffeine are generally considered safe for healthy adults, making one or two espressos per day compatible with these recommendations, provided there are no individual sensitivities or medical restrictions.[6] Overall, in the EU context, espresso combines an intense flavour experience with a very lean nutritional profile under the framework of the mandatory EU nutrition declaration.