The Best Coffee in The World
PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME: WHAT IS THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD ?
In my eyes, the best coffee in the world is, without question, a blended espresso. Crafted from three or more origins, this beverage embodies perfect harmony while revealing a distinctive character. I won’t dwell here on the secrets of this balance, nor on the fascinating Maillard reaction—a subject that has captivated me for over twenty years.
THE ART OF PRESENTATION
The best coffee deserves a presentation worthy of its quality. It must be served in a light ceramic cup with a refined design, featuring a base less than 2 centimeters in diameter and a rim no wider than 5 centimeters. This proportion follows a golden aesthetic rule and ensures a flawless mouthfeel: concentrated aromas, preserved warmth, and a beautifully enhanced espresso cream.
To the right of the cup, a clean, perfectly balanced 6-centimeter spoon should be placed with care. Its weight must not exceed 15 grams, preserving the sense of precision and finesse. The cup itself should always be oriented to face the person about to enjoy it. On the left, a mini madeleine or a small buttery biscuit enhances the experience, adding a gourmet and refined touch. To complete this ritual, a 6-centiliter glass of sparkling water, lightly chilled but without ice, accompanies the tasting, preparing the palate to welcome each sip with precision.
THE TASTING EXPERIENCE
The espresso, carefully prepared in porcelain slightly above room temperature, should never burn (I loathe scalding-hot cups). It displays a marbled crema, a sign of the perfect extraction of all its aromas. Serve it immediately after extraction: a true espresso—hence its name—must be consumed quickly, ideally at the counter of a bar, at a temperature between 90 and 92 degrees Celsius. The idea of a coffee left standing, waiting to be savored, makes me anxious.
A QUICK TASTING
To savor this espresso, I take my spoon—sliding it perfectly between my fingers—and stir it gently, aiming to harmonize the flavors in less than a second and a half. In just two sips, accompanied by this little biscuit, I find myself fulfilled by this simple moment of happiness—one that, for me, symbolizes the beginning of something.
THE EVOLUTION OF COFFEE
We have probably never paid so much for a cup of coffee. Nor have there ever been so many stories about origins or so many new and innovative concepts. Yet there is also an overabundance of mediocre or poorly executed offerings. Finding perfection remains difficult in daily life, no matter where we are in the world. Ensuring the art of serving the perfect espresso remains a true challenge.
THE MOMENT OF PERFECTION
If, by chance, a few rays of sunlight happen to fall on your cup on a cool morning, that moment of absolute perfection will remind you that there is no better coffee. It is all a matter of details, and when each one is meticulously executed, it creates a harmony that offers you the most exquisite experience coffee can provide.
JOHAN PESENTI.
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