What’s the difference between espresso and just plain coffee? According to professional baristas, it doesn’t matter what kind of bean you use or how it’s roasted — it’s all in how the beans are brewed. Forcing pressurized water through finely-ground coffee beans produces a concentrated brew with its signature delicate foam. To use its proper name, this foam, or crema contains concentrated sugars and oils from the beans, adding a light sweetness that helps balance the bitterness. Grab an espresso on November 23 to taste the difference for yourself!
National Espresso Day Timeline
The first coffee maker is patented.
An Italian named Angelo Moriondo patented a steam-driven “instantaneous” coffee-making device, believed to be the first Italian bar machine that controlled the supply of steam and water separately through the coffee.
Espresso machine improvements were patented.
After Milan native Luigi Bezzera patented several improvements to the espresso machine in 1901, the first of his patents was bought by Desiderio Pavoni, who began to produce the machine industrially in his workshop in Milan.
The latté was invented in America
Lino Meiorin – an Italian-American, claims credit for creating the first caffé latté at Caffe Mediterraneum in Berkeley, California, calling it a “long cappuccino.”
Starbucks is born!
Starbucks is the biggest coffeehouse chain in the world, founded in Seattle.
National Espresso Day Activities
- Learn the “4 Ms” of espresso (spoiler: Italian lesson ahead)
- Remember to use a lot of molto Italiano hand gestures when saying these words: la macinazione — the correct, very fine grinding of the coffee beans. La machine — the espresso machine itself. La miscela — the coffee blend, often a mixture of high-quality Brazilian beans, but with many variations. La mano — the skilled hand of the person making the coffee.
- Ask your barista for a demonstration.
- Now that you know the proper terminology, if you’re on friendly terms with your neighbourhood barista, ask if they will show you how the professionals make the perfect cup of espresso. (Don’t do this during the morning rush.) This might also be a great chance for a friend with a new espresso machine to show it off to you.
- Enjoy espresso even if you’re not a coffee drinker.
- Try popping a few chocolate-covered espresso beans (in moderation — they pack a punch). If you like a subtle hint of coffee flavour, try adding espresso to a cup of hot chocolate for a mocha treat. Are you a baker? A little espresso powder (not the brewed drink) mixed into chocolate frosting amps up the sophistication level. There seems to be a theme here. Chocolate plus espresso equals a match made in heaven.
3 Uncommon Ways To Use Espresso
- Add espresso powder to your next batch of cookies.
- For a delicious mocha flavour twist, espresso powder (concentrated coffee granules) can be added to many cakes and cookie recipes, such as brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
- Trade in your usual vinegar for espresso balsamic vinegar
- Whether making a simple vinaigrette or a complex meat marinade mixture, espresso balsamic vinegar will bring a rich new flavour profile to the table.
- Indulge in the Italian confection caffé affogato
- One last Italian lesson: this dessert is a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream “drowned” (affogato) by pouring a hot espresso — molto delizioso!
Why We Love National Espresso Day
- It’s an all-day wake-up call.
- Just a single shot can perk up even the slowest morning mover, whether you like your espresso straight up or blended into a latté or cappuccino. Adding espresso to a chocolate smoothie creates a luscious mocha pick-me-up in the afternoon, and espresso also makes the perfect after-dinner drink, especially if you have tiramisu for dessert.
- It gives us that Euro-chic air.
- One sip of steaming hot espresso, and we’re transported to an Italian pizza surrounded by ancient cobblestones, weathered statues, cypress trees, and hundreds of years of history. (Talk about travelling on a budget!) And those tiny cups that espresso is traditionally served in? They’re molto alla Moda (very trendy).
- It’s an excuse to try something new (do we need an excuse?)
- Are you a strict black coffee person? Try a shot of espresso instead. If you like your morning brew a little lighter, order a latté (you can choose how many shots you want to be added to that steamy, foamy milk). Or how about espresso added to hot cocoa for a sophisticated mocha drink?