The first espresso machine prototype was invented in France in the 1820s by Louis Bernard Rabaut. However, it was later refined and popularised by Italians. In 1884, Angelo Moriondo invented the first espresso machine, which he showcased at an exhibition in Turin, Italy.
In the early 1900s, Luigi Bezzera invented the Tipo Gigante espresso machine, which was the first to use a lever to create pressure. This was a major breakthrough in espresso brewing, as it allowed for more consistent results.
The events of World War II affected the production and consumption of espresso coffee. In the late 1940s-early 1950s, espresso machine companies shifted their focus to industrial production with the aim of reaching an even larger public. Coffee became a daily ritual in Italy and around the globe. Designers and architects were commissioned to design products that reflected the shifting demands of the post-war era. This led to the production of masterpiece Italian espresso machines such as the Vespa, the Lamberta, and the Arflex. In the twentieth century, Gio Ponti, a key figure in architecture and design, joined the coffee machine industry and fundamentally changed the design of the espresso machine.
In 1947, Giovanni Achille Gaggia invented the lever espresso machine, which revolutionised espresso by resulting in the production of "crema," a hazelnut-coloured mousse that is a hallmark of high-quality espresso.
Espresso Brewing Method
To brew espresso, you need an espresso machine, finely-ground coffee beans, and water. The espresso machine forces hot water through the coffee grounds under high pressure, which extracts the coffee's flavor and aroma.
The ideal espresso brewing time is between 25 and 30 seconds. If the extraction time is too short, the espresso will be weak and watery. If the extraction time is too long, the espresso will be bitter and over-extracted.
Espresso Drinks
Espresso can be enjoyed on its own, or it can be used to make a variety of espresso-based drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, Ristretto, Americano, and Long black. The names of these drinks are of Italian roots as the espresso machine was invented in Italy.