Automatic Espresso Machines--Start The Day Off Right

Copyright (c) 2011 Sandra Tiffany

Espresso is a thick, dark, rich beverage made by forcing hot water under pressure through coffee that is very finely ground. This method was invented in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy. In 1901, another Italian, Luigi Bezzera, improved the machine that made espresso and was granted a patent.

In 1938, there was further improvement of the espresso machine. Pistons were added to the it and the taste of espresso was further refined. There are three common ways to make espresso. It can be made by stove top espresso makers, hand-held espresso makers and steam or pump generated machines.

Espresso itself does not require a specific type of coffee bean. The word espresso refers instead, to the process by which the coffee based beverage is made. While traditional coffee is brewed over a period of minutes, espresso is made in only seconds. Espresso is often used as a base from which other coffee drinks like mocchas, macchiatos, Americanos, lattes and cappuccino are made. Compared to regular coffee, espresso is stronger and has more caffeine in it because a lot less water is used in the brewing process.

There is some disagreement as to the origin and spelling of the word espresso. Among the Italians the beverage is called espresso. "Expresso" is the spelling used in France and Portugal, while Americans and Canadians consider the term espresso to be correct. The reason the term is used is also open to some debate. Some hold that the term espresso has to do with the pressing of the hot water through the beans. Others say the term is used to describe how quickly the beverage is produced. Still others argue it is called espresso because it was made in single serving cups expressly for one person.

Most people agree that the best espresso can be obtained at a coffee bar and made at the hands of a barista, or expert espresso maker, using special automatic espresso machines. Some of the early coffee bars in Seattle, Washington and then the experts at Starbucks are said to make some of the best espresso outside of Italy. Home espresso makers have also become much better in recent years.

Espresso migrated to the United States with working class Italians in the 1950s and 60s. However, through automatic espresso machines, today it has been transformed into a beverage for the upper class. But in old Italian neighborhoods, espresso has retained it's working class roots as the drink of the common man.


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Sandra Tiffany lives for her espresso to kick off the day. Learn here about automatic espresso machines, cuisinart, coffee makers, the cuisinart coffee maker, the espresso machine, articles, auctions and "Deal of the Day" opportunities.

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