Espresso ground coffee is simply coffee beans that have been blended and roasted specifically for espresso, then pre-ground very fine for use in espresso machines. This fine grind is key to brewing espresso, as it increases the surface area of the grounds exposed during extraction, and also packs together tightly creating the flow resistance necessary to build up brewing pressure.
There is a delicate balance though, if the coffee grind is too fine it will block the flow of water, while slightly too coarse and the water will rush through without proper extraction or crema development. A proper ground espresso coffee is similar in consistency to say powdered sugar, it feels soft in your hands and not at all gritty like sand.
At Miscela d'Oro, we utilize sophisticated coffee grinders that grind to our specifications using lasers to verify the precise particle size, resulting in a consistent and predictable product for our customers. Also, please note to help you find the best ground espresso for your application we specify whether the grind is intended for espresso machines (very fine), or moka pots and filter applications (medium fine).