In the late 19th century, coffee lovers throughout Europe were fond of ordering “café-espress” or “made to order” coffee. Going beyond a standard brew, made to order coffee was fresh and made of the finest imported beans. While the brewing technology of coffee machines back then cannot match today’s professional Jura Capresso machines, a clever inventory built a machine that brewed thousands of cups each hour using steaming at the 1896 World Fair held in Nizhny Novgorod Russia. While the invention was impressive, the coffee machine couldn’t obtain the right temperature (90 to 100 degrees celius) for optimal texture and flavor.

An Italian coffee expert tackled the problem and, shortly after the 20th century began, the inventor sold his idea to Pavoni, which soon sold them throughout Europe. The insight the inventory had was to place a filter between the coffee beans and the steam, and the beans were then brewed with indirect heat at just the right temperature. Culinary experts and coffee fans alike were amazed at the novel use of steamed coffee and the espresso revolution was born. Even today’s high tech Delonghi espresso machines using the same basic physics to continue to improve upon the process.

Espresso became popular throughout the world shortly thereafter, spreading from Italy to France and across the Atlantic to eager coffee drinkers in Latin America. Taking the technology to a new level, engineers then worked to increase the pressure of the steamer to improve the brewing time and freshness of the beans. Manual machines were operated by baristas who used levers to build up the pressure to around 9 bars, resulting in just the right temperature and adding the foam “crema” layer that we know well today on modern espresso (and even marks a high quality espresso maker.)

With the electric revolution, espresso machines moved beyond manual pumping in the 1960s, utilizing electric pumps to build up the pressure just right and to circulate the hot water. With electric pumps, the volume limitations on the drinks could be solved, allowing for more water, but coffee lovers had come to know and love the small “hot” of espresso as a sign of the true drink. In recent decades, espresso makers have refined the mechanisms so that a home espresso maker today doesn’t require technical expertise - rather, you only need a distinctive palate and a love for espresso to enjoy a fine drink in your home.

Today’s high tech home based espresso machines from fine manufacturers such as Delonghi and Saeco rival the finest espresso made in coffee shops today. True espresso connoisseurs, however, swear by the authentic taste and techniques of the classical Italian techniques. In fact, you can find hand produced espresso in independent Italian coffee shops to this day. Coffee fans throughout the world can enjoy their morning brew quicker and in a more pure form than ever before, whether they steam their espresso beans at home or grab a quick drink on their way to work in the morning. Espresso makers have come a long way over the years, but their culture remains true to the Italian roots of the drink.