So I am fairly new to liking coffee but I am looking to get a greater understanding of it so that I can cut my costs down for coffee. I spent about 3.2$ a day average on coffee the last month and I am not proud of that even though that is a relatively low number.

My question mainly is around the question. What is espresso? I am actually a big fan of bolder/bitterer flavors so espresso-forward drinks tend to be some of my favorites. As of current I am in love with Cortado's which as I understand it are basically lattes with much less milk (1:1 ratio espresso and milk).

I am trying to see if I can cut down my cost by sometimes purchasing coffee. I love the Starbucks blonde roast

https://preview.redd.it/78nsy4gyz6d41.png?width=108&format=png&auto=webp&s=cfeb4b212ed4ed7f13e1c40a6f562de76c9ea159

That I can get from the grocery store. However this is iced coffee and I understand it to be already watered down and not suitable for buying Cortado.

So my next sorta thing to look into is whether I should make or buy espresso. And I am very confused by my options for buying it and am unsure of the quality of the espresso if I make it.

For example I can buy this Amorelli Craft Puree Coffee

https://preview.redd.it/to7i1a8i07d41.png?width=120&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7b915f4192e8691a3e4c99d87c00bf7f9691b5c

But I am not convinced that this is what I am looking for. Looks more like a syrup.

And then there is this SToK Caffeinated Black Coffee Shot

https://preview.redd.it/v12meyjo07d41.png?width=78&format=png&auto=webp&s=e4d38624b31f59fea959fa117f9bd258f249a58e

However I am not sure that is what I am looking at either. I am really here for the flavor over the caffeine and 20mg seems like a lot of caffeine for just a shot.

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So I suppose my question is. What actually is espresso? And is it even possible to buy shots suitable for making Cortado with at the grocery store? If I cant buy it what is a good cheap/hands off way to make sufficiently good espresso at home?