One of the mysteries that surround espresso is the origin and meaning of its name. The word espresso describes a type of coffee specialty and a brewing method. Unlike regular coffee, the specialty coffee goes through an extraction process that makes it have a more concentrated full-flavor, taste, and aroma of coffee. Unlike regular coffee, espresso lovers take the specialty coffee in a demitasse or small cup in single or double shots.

Espresso extraction method uses high pressure to push water through the finest ground coffee beans resulting in high caffeine concentrated drink served in a small cup. A single shot of espresso is 30 ml, while a double shot is 60 ml. An espresso shot has three layers: – the reddish-brown top layer of cream, the middle layer, which is the body of the espresso, and the dark brown bottom layer.

For the perfect espresso shots, you need a good espresso machine with pressure bars for high-pressure extraction. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can still use other extraction methods to get the best out of the coffee beans and develop cream used in the coffee specialty. However, using anything else other than an espresso machine will require extra effort. So what country does the word espresso come from?

The Origin of the Word Espresso

The word espresso is Italian for “pressed out,” or fast coffee, which describes the extraction method of the coffee specialty. Italy is also the birthplace of espresso according to the history of coffee we have concerning the specialty. Desidero Pavoni is the man that introduced the first commercial espresso machine to the public in 1905.

Before Pavoni, Angelo Moriondo first registered for a machine very similar to an espresso machine in 1884. Angelo believed that the machine would help coffee lovers enjoy a more concentrated cup of their favorite beverage. Luigi Bezzara, later in 1901, also registered a similar patent for a device with the ability to compress coffee beans for a more full-flavored and concentrated coffee.

The word Café Espresso found a spot in the Italian dictionary in 1920. Café espresso, referring to an extraction machine that uses a pressurized filter, became famous all over Italy, which saw people frequenting coffee houses for coffee with a stronger coffee kick.

Modern-Day Espresso

The popularity of the espresso coffee culture from Italy spread to the west and other nations worldwide in the 1940s. Today, espresso is one of the most popular morning kick-starters for coffee lovers worldwide, with some taking it at the local coffee cafes while many others prefer to brew the same from the comfort of their homes. Espresso is also a base for other specialties that add to the diversity of tastes, aroma, and coffee flavors. Some of the most popular espresso-based coffee specialties are Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato, Flat White Coffee, Americano, Mocha, Cortado, etc.

Wrapping It Up

Even though Italy gave espresso its name and discovered the first espresso machine, the drink is not exclusive to the country of origin or its citizens. For example, in America, it is one of the most widely coffee specialties served in coffee houses and homes. It is also the base for many of the most incredible tasting coffee specialties that we enjoy to drink today.