Espresso Braised Beef

When espresso beans—which are roasted until they are on the verge of burning—are teamed with beef, they yield a flavor complexity that has more kinship with the grill than with a cup of coffee. That’s because our palates perceive things that are darkly roasted similarly, which explains why espresso has the surprising effect of making beef taste meatier. Here, this effect is enhanced by two other dark, savory ingredients: molasses and Worcestershire sauce. The result is a braised brisket tha