Hehehe.....artikill far too long to read or take seriously ;D The more you write, the more you have to justify and explain.... This is an impossible question because it is wholy and solely up to the individual...or perhaps it isnt, because the style of espresso in all these countries is quite different and varies a) depending on the venue where the coffee is purchased and b) depending on the brand supply c) depending on the style of espresso (here/USA) the baristas wish to emulate. Gosh I cant see any similarity between Oz or USA espresso and Italian (not to mention there are two styles in Italy depending on whether you are in the north or the south....so which "Italian"?). And I also cant see any similarity between Oz milk coffees and Italian. Notwithstanding the difference in the coffee itself, the italians (in their bars / cafes) use UHT milk while we use fresh milk. The result is an entirely different character. Additionally you now have the proliferation of the new style of espresso in Oz, being where cafes are changing over from the standard sized coffee filters (baskets) to quadruple/deep filters used in sawn off (naked) group handles, using the whole lot to make a single coffee, causing an even larger disparity in character between Italian espresso and Oz espresso based drinks. The best espresso, regardless of where you are, is the one that is made properly and cups well.
