For this, first we need to learn about the difference between espresso and a plain coffee. According to professional baristas, it doesn't really matter what kind of bean you use, or how it's roasted. It is all in the way the beans are brewed. Forcing pressurized water through finely-ground coffee beans produces a concentrated brew with its signature delicate foam.
Rich and powerful, espresso is a fantastic boost to the day and a go-to for coffee drinkers who are looking for a way to get through those long hard hours of work.
National Espresso Day which is annually celebrated on November 23rd in the United States, is a delightful day to celebrate the history of this delicious and powerful solution and also to promote it further.
| Event | National Espresso Day |
|---|---|
| Date | November 23, 2022 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Significance | The day celebrates and honors Espresso and it's delicious taste |
| Observed by | United States |
National Espresso Day History:
There has been some deliberation as to where the espresso first came about, so we are here to set the record straight. Coffee was already widely enjoyed by many Italians because the product was brought over to the country during the Renaissance. Angelo Moriondo, from Turin, is often erroneously credited for inventing the beverage, since he patented a steam-driven coffee beverage making device in 1884. However, the espresso that we know today was invented in Venice, Italy back in the early 20th century. The drink was created by businessman Luigi Bezzera who was experimenting with coffee to see how he could make his brew faster.
In 1903, he owned a manufacturing business, and it was frustrating him that making a cup of coffee would take up so much time. Later, after some experimenting, he discovered that adding steam pressure to the machine not only cut the time it took to create the brew, but it also created a much stronger drink. The new process drew out all of the best qualities of the coffee beans and Bezzera quickly named the machine "Fast Coffee Machine". As the Italian word 'espresso' translates to fast in English, the name of the brew originated from the first machine.
Soon after his invention, in 1905, he met with Desidero Pavoni who purchased part of the machine's rights from Bezzera, and then had it patented. Almost immediately, Pavoni's name became associated with the espresso. Then Bezzera and and Pavoni worked together to improve the espresso machine. After two years, they created the "Ideale" which was released at the 1906 Milan Fair. After this release, Pavoni took charge of the business venture and went solo. The machine was then branded with the name "espresso" whilst the was advertised as being able to produce 1,000 coffees per hour. While the machine was successful, it was far from perfect; therefore, competitors saw an opportunity to improve it.
Fast forward to 1938, and we can see how the espresso drink we enjoy today was created. Achille Gaggia, an inventor, created the machine that could increase the steam pressure from 1.5-2 atmospheres to 8-10 atmospheres. The machine used a spring-piston lever to increase the pressure of the water in the boiler further. The process would work by the barista pulling down on the spring-piston lever as this would increase the force of the water inside the cylinder. Then, the machine would begin to pour the espresso, without a burnt, bitter taste that was such an issue with previous models.
National Espresso Day Significance:
Espresso is made by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground compacted coffee. There is no universal standard defining the process of extracting espresso, but several published definitions attempt to constrain the amount and type of ground coffee used, the temperature and pressure of the water, and the rate of extraction. Generally, one uses an espresso machine to make espresso. Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method. It is not a specific bean, bean blend, or roast level. Any bean or roasting level can be used to produce authentic espresso.
Espresso is generally thicker than coffee brewed by other methods, with a viscosity similar to that of warm honey. This is due to the higher concentration of suspended and dissolved solids, and the crema on top (a foam with a creamy consistency). As a result of the pressurized brewing process, the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of espresso are very concentrated. Espresso has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages, but because its usual serving size is much smaller than (for example) drip-brewed coffee, the caffeine content of a single serving of espresso is generally lower than that of a mug of drip coffee.
In addition to being served alone, espresso is frequently blended, notably with milk – either steamed (without significant foam), wet foamed ("microfoam"), or dry foamed, and with hot water. Notable milk-based espresso drinks, in order of size, include: macchiato, cappuccino, flat white, and latte; other milk and espresso combinations include latte macchiato, cortado and galão, which are made primarily with steamed milk with little or no foam. Espresso and water combinations include Americano and long black. Other combinations include batch-brewed coffee with espresso, sometimes called "red eye" or "shot in the dark".
National Espresso Day is a fun opportunity to get more people involved with espresso and celebrate one of the world’s most popular beverages. It is a chance to introduce non-coffee drinkers to espresso, spread the word about your favorite coffee shop's delicious espresso, and give back to the community. Espresso has the power to bring people together and has a long history of doing that same too that spans the globe, giving people widely different cultures and backgrounds something to connect through.
National Espresso Day Celebrations:
If you work in an office or around other people, consider bringing espresso for everyone. Depending on how many coworkers you have, this could be prohibitive, but it's a great way to get people interested in small offices. The best part is this works equally well for espresso lovers and non-espresso drinkers as well. So do try to serve espresso to most people for the day.
Not everyone drinks coffee, but nearly everyone likes cookies. Espresso cookies are a delicious and caffeine-packed way to get non-coffee drinkers involved in National Espresso Day. Baking with espresso is easy and makes for a unique, delicious treat. Our favorite recipe uses chocolate chips alongside ground espresso to make surprisingly delicious cookies.
Use this occasion to try a new espresso drink. This is a more personal way to celebrate but will still get you in the espresso spirit. If you usually drink straight espresso, try a cappuccino or macchiato instead. Conversely, if you usually order a flat white, latte, or other milk-focused drink, try a pure shot. Whatever your usual go-to order is, use National Espresso Day as an excuse to step out of your comfort zone and broaden your espresso horizons.
Most Searched FAQs on National Espresso Day:
1. When is National Espresso Day celebrated?
National Espresso Day is annually celebrated on November 23rd in US.
2. What is difference between espresso and coffee?
Espresso is thicker and more intense than coffee because of the lower grounds to water ratio, the finer grind, and the pressurized brewing method. Regular coffee uses a coarser grind, more water and gravity to extract the final brew.
3. Why do people drink espresso?
Drinking espresso gives you a boost of energy. This energy can make it a lot easier for your brain to focus on your day-to-day responsibilities. Espresso kick starts the dopamine in your brain, helping to aid in concentration.