Espresso, a classic that is not so classic

Legend has it that in the 9th-century, a goat herder noticed the effect caffeine had on their goats, who appeared to “dance” after eating the fruit of the Coffea plant. A local monk then made a drink with the product and found that it kept him awake at night, thus the original cup of coffee was born. 

Since then, coffee has been adopted by so many cultures and brewed in such unique ways that each coffee has a diverse taste. Yet, for the coffee drinkers, it has always been just a cup of coffee.

Today, globalization and trade opened the doors to a world full of unique brewing methods. Now, we begin to understand that in the end is not just a cup of coffee.

The First Espresso Machine 

In the19th century the first “global” brewing machine was born. Coffee was already a huge business in Europe with cafés flourishing across the continent. Though brewing coffee was a slow process and it forced customers to wait quite a lot for their drink. In 1884, Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, was granted the patent for creating the first brewing machine that utilized steam, slowing the overall brewing method. Not until 1906, the term “caffè espresso” was introduced by inventors Bezzera and Pavoni at the 1906 Milan Fair. After the Milan Fair, the espresso machine conquered Italy and slowly the rest of the western world.

Since then, espresso has been considered as “the classic drink.” When a European asks for a cup coffee, most likely they are referring to an espresso shot.

Coffee in America

Now, going west, to the US, a cup of coffee is something completely different. For most Americans, coffee is a longer and morbid bittersweet drink. No wonder why an espresso shot with an addition of water is named an “Americano.” Though, we must emphasize that in reality, they are two completely different things.

 An Americano is nothing like a cup of coffee in America. The brewing methods utilized are different, and so are the flavors.

 Dozens of different brewing methods are utilized around the world, most of them brewing longer coffee cups. This means that a higher percentage of the world’s population that consumes coffee drinks it in a larger cup.

So why is an espresso such a classic? 

Well, like any other product, it’s all about branding and marketing.

 First, espresso is a revolutionary invention. Think about it, a drink with such peculiar taste served in a unique small cup and brewed in just seconds was a complete geniality. Add to it its catchy name.

Yet, the most revolutionary aspect of this type of brewing method is the versatility, both in ways of preparing a drink and environments to be utilized.

 From this machine, you can do other drinks like cappuccino and macchiato. Also, this machine, in all its different versions, from the traditional bar machine to full-automatics and capsule, it is today utilized at homes, offices, and bars thanks to its quick brewing.

 Yet, this machine isn’t ideal for everyone. So don’t feel left out if you just can’t handle the espresso flavor. We all have unique taste profiles. So for you to like an espresso cup, your profile must tend to prefer drinks with a bold and more bitter flavor. Or, like in so many other cases, especially in Italy, just out of habit.

 The great thing about coffee is that for sure there is an ideal brewing method (and final beverage) for every single person. French press, Aeropress, Siphon, Chemex, V60, and Cold brew are just some methods that can give an array of flavors, textures, and coffee body types.

Now, it just depends on you to discover the most ideal brewing method for your unique taste profile.

To step in into this new adventurous experience with confidence, take our coffee taste test. Not only will you discover your coffee #Character, but also your most ideal brewing method.

This test will be available by the end of Jan 2020! So stay tuned with VINHOOD.