what is the difference between an espresso and short black coffee. I
thought there was a sutble difference in the size and or strength but
can not find details on the net.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 17 Jan 2006 18:20 PST

vmd-ga,

The term "short black" seems to mostly mean espresso in most places
where the term is used, though some folks seem to use it a bit
differently.

The closest I came to a clear cut definition was this:


"...an Italian-style espresso is known as a short black ; a weaker and
larger version is a long black , which with the addition of milk
becomes a flat white..."


Does that help at all?  Is there a particular region of the world
where you heard the term used differently?

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by vmd-ga on 17 Jan 2006 21:39 PST

I was sure I once read a reference to a short black and expresso
differing in strength and size (volume). I specifically explained the
volume of each but I have not been able to find it anywhere.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 18 Jan 2006 03:31 PST

Not seeing anything on volume.

The Rough Guide to Australia defines a short black as "espresso
transformed with a splash of milk into a macchiato..."

Does that help?

Hi,

Here's a quote answering questions "What is a short black?" and  "How
is it different to an espresso?" from
http://www.gilkatho.com.au/faqs/ViewItem.asp?ID=70

"Often an espresso can also be called a short black.Strictly speaking
a short black is 30 mls of espresso coffee served in a demitasse cup.
Many Australian establishments serve short black between 30 ? 60 mls
and it can be ordered as either ?short black? or ?espresso?."

Hope this helps!

I've seen this reference before. I was hoping to find a definition
that differenciates between the two.

If a "short black" simply means an expresso in Australia, then that's
how it is there; but it's not necessarily the case elsewhere. For
example, it could mean a small black filter (or Americano) coffee; or,
more likely, a double shot expresso, which the Italians call a
"ristretto". For more on the latter, see the CoffeeGeek website at 
http://www.coffeegeek.com/opinions/aarondelazzer/02-24-2002