Espresso is one of the most requested drinks in coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants in Brazil and around the world, characterized by its full body and bold flavor.
A Brief History of Espresso
First Generation Espresso Machine
The first espresso machine was invented in 1901 by Luigi Bezerra. His patent was sold to Desiderio Pavoni, who in 1905 launched a series of machines called “La Pavoni Ideali.”
The machines had a large boiler that produced up to 1.5 bars of pressure, pushing water through a layer of coffee. The drink was produced in 1 minute, which was very fast for the era, but the extended time ended up making the taste more bitter.
Innovation and the Espresso Revolution
In 1938, barista Achille Gaggia innovated the espresso machine with a lever that made it more efficient. The machine reached 9 bars of pressure, with water at a controllable 90 degrees Celsius. In 30 seconds the coffee was ready, without excessive bitterness, and thanks to the pressure, the espresso finally gained its characteristic crema.
Expresso or Espresso?
In Portuguese, “expresso” (with an X) means fast. However, when it comes to coffee, “espresso” (with an S) is entirely acceptable.
The Italian pioneers named it “espresso” from the word “esprimere,” meaning “pressed.” At Consciencia Cafe, we use “Espresso” as a tribute to the Italian origin and the tradition of a great espresso.
What Is Espresso Coffee?
Espresso coffee is directly related to its brewing method: passing hot water at high pressure through ground coffee. This preserves the extraction of aromas and retains many of the essential oils from the beans.
How to Make Espresso
- Grind the beans shortly before brewing
- Regulate the water temperature between 90 and 95 degrees Celsius
- The pressure should be approximately 9 bars
- Use 8 to 10 grams of ground coffee in the portafilter
- The extraction time should be between 20 and 25 seconds
- The classic Italian measure is 30ml of water
Come to Consciencia Cafe and savor a perfect espresso, prepared with technique and passion!