The Translation: Crema is the golden-brown layer of foam that naturally sits on top of a freshly brewed shot of espresso.
Use It In a Sentence: “I love these fresh beans; they produce a really thick, beautiful layer of crema.”
Why You Care: Crema looks great in photos and is a sign that your coffee beans are fresh (it’s created by CO2 releasing from the beans during brewing). However, pure crema actually tastes very bitter on its own. It’s a sign of a good visual brew, but you should still stir your espresso before drinking it to mix that bitter foam into the sweeter liquid below.