Explore the rich history, cultural significance, and brewing techniques of traditional Italian espresso. Learn about proper equipment, pressure extraction, and how to create authentic café-quality espresso at home.
Oooh looking forward to reading more of your thoughts and tips on sourcing high quality ethical beans! I began learning at Terra Madre last year, the annual slow food conference. I haven’t found what I like for my moka pot yet
How exciting Lolly! I’ve always wanted to visit the Slow Food Festival! It’s in Torino right? I’m looking forward to sharing more about sourcing ethical and sustainable coffee!
Very nice. I have a lot of coffee-related memories. I was a barrista in San Francisco for almost five years before we even heard that word. We called ourselves coffee makers. It was all I could do to pour separate layers of coffee, milk and foam. I have two favorite memories from my first and only time in Italy. My first of four Culinary Adventures was called Ten Days to Tuscany. I brought 16 people to Siena, Florence and a number of the hill towns. In Siena we were on a city tour and our guide walked us into the main square, Il Campo, and it started to rain. She rushed us under the awning of a cafe on the square. For a few magical moments I realized I was in a place of my dreams, it was gently raining, I was surrounded by people I love (including my new husband) and we were drinking espresso corretto's. Thanks for this.
This is so beautiful Tom! I felt like I was in that space the way that you described it. There’s something to be said about being in a beautiful environment surrounded by those you love doing the simple things you enjoy. Nothing could replicate it.
Thanks, Bernadette. I re-read what I wrote and realized I didn't write the second memory. Still in Siena, at a different cafe on the same square, having cafe cremes with my husband, Dan. I got up to leave and he pulled me back down to say, "You have been dreaming and talking about sitting in a cafe in Italy watching people and having a coffee for as long as I can remember. Sit!" Oh, and bonus. One of the best things I read about in my research of Tuscany was the Italian philosophy of Il Dolce Far Niente! When I read that in your piece, it brought me back. Mille grazie!
I love this Tom, thank you for sharing that. At the end of the day it’s really the simple things that bring immense joy and gratitude. I know I said that before but it’s something that I’ve really learned throughout my life. In the past it was all about chasing the next big thing, and now it’s about sitting and enjoying with my loved ones. There is so much peace and happiness in that.
I learnt so much in 4 minutes!! This is such a great guide and has really answered all the question marks that have prevented me from putting together my own setup! I currently just use an aeropress and it’s better than what I was doing before (nothing 🤣), but honestly I still have no clue what’s happening 🤣 I’m definitely going to have a look at your equipment recs, they’re so helpful! Thank you!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Making coffee can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be, so there's room for everything and everyone 😉 Let me know what equipment you end up buying, I'd love to walk you through it!
Must be all their pistachio flavored croissants and pastries! And of course also waking up with boats just outside the window and seeing Venice on off seasons also! Never went for a m espresso there though 🥲
Oh their pastries and views are out of this world. I've always said that Venice is one of the few places in the world that make you feel like you've been transported back in time.
I was put onto them by a friend who supplies bars and restaurants in Holland with Italian coffee. He felt that for consumers who would take more than a week to consume a standard 250g packet of fresh coffee, individually packed Ese pods were a better solution. The coffee is fresher.
I have tried Nespresso style pods but except for top quality and most expensive ones, the coffee was markedly inferior. I order about 6-7 months supply of Ese pods at a time (from Jolly Caffé in Firenze) and even with shipping, the price is about 60% of the cost of the best quality pods.
So I'd be interested in what you think of Ese pods for people who want genuine Italian coffee but only drink one or two cups a day?
Thanks for your comment Robert. I’ve never tried the ESE pods (only Nespresso pods) but I’ve heard that they are an environmentally friendly alternative because of their low waste. I usually grind my own espresso beans and pull a shot on the spot but if I didn’t have an espresso machine I would think that the ESE pods would be a great alternative for both sustainability and flavor, especially if it’s roasted Italian style. I think the key is finding a good quality roaster.
I make iced shaken espressos with oat milk mostly, but I like the occasional latte too on the weekends. My husband uses the milk frother daily for his chai lattes. It’s been so nice to have and doesn’t take up a ton of counter space (which I love!).
I’ve had a Rancilio for twenty years, courtesy of advice on Coffee Geek. It took me 15 years to master the mechanics of what was going on inside. But once I did, the results were and are sublime. Thank you, Drury’s of London.
Wow, what model is it?? Rancilio makes amazing espresso machines. It's so easy to underestimate the quality of coffee we can make at home if we have good machines (and good beans)! It took me a lot of trial and error to figure mine out and once I did I was amazed.
What a great read to have with my coffee ❤️
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Elizabeth!
Oooh looking forward to reading more of your thoughts and tips on sourcing high quality ethical beans! I began learning at Terra Madre last year, the annual slow food conference. I haven’t found what I like for my moka pot yet
How exciting Lolly! I’ve always wanted to visit the Slow Food Festival! It’s in Torino right? I’m looking forward to sharing more about sourcing ethical and sustainable coffee!
Very nice. I have a lot of coffee-related memories. I was a barrista in San Francisco for almost five years before we even heard that word. We called ourselves coffee makers. It was all I could do to pour separate layers of coffee, milk and foam. I have two favorite memories from my first and only time in Italy. My first of four Culinary Adventures was called Ten Days to Tuscany. I brought 16 people to Siena, Florence and a number of the hill towns. In Siena we were on a city tour and our guide walked us into the main square, Il Campo, and it started to rain. She rushed us under the awning of a cafe on the square. For a few magical moments I realized I was in a place of my dreams, it was gently raining, I was surrounded by people I love (including my new husband) and we were drinking espresso corretto's. Thanks for this.
This is so beautiful Tom! I felt like I was in that space the way that you described it. There’s something to be said about being in a beautiful environment surrounded by those you love doing the simple things you enjoy. Nothing could replicate it.
Thanks, Bernadette. I re-read what I wrote and realized I didn't write the second memory. Still in Siena, at a different cafe on the same square, having cafe cremes with my husband, Dan. I got up to leave and he pulled me back down to say, "You have been dreaming and talking about sitting in a cafe in Italy watching people and having a coffee for as long as I can remember. Sit!" Oh, and bonus. One of the best things I read about in my research of Tuscany was the Italian philosophy of Il Dolce Far Niente! When I read that in your piece, it brought me back. Mille grazie!
I love this Tom, thank you for sharing that. At the end of the day it’s really the simple things that bring immense joy and gratitude. I know I said that before but it’s something that I’ve really learned throughout my life. In the past it was all about chasing the next big thing, and now it’s about sitting and enjoying with my loved ones. There is so much peace and happiness in that.
This guide gives a wider approach to understanding, but of course for coffee lovers.
Btw, I am also one of those.
That makes two of us Piotr 🥰 What's your go to espresso drink?
just a simple, creamy, expresso.
If I want something more fancy i go for cortado 😉
Nice! I also love a simple espresso and a cortado, my go to is definitely a cappuccino though.
I love this so much! Few things in Italy are a staple as much as coffee is.
Couldn’t agree more Federica, I think coffee is a beautiful representation of “la dolce vita”.
I learnt so much in 4 minutes!! This is such a great guide and has really answered all the question marks that have prevented me from putting together my own setup! I currently just use an aeropress and it’s better than what I was doing before (nothing 🤣), but honestly I still have no clue what’s happening 🤣 I’m definitely going to have a look at your equipment recs, they’re so helpful! Thank you!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Making coffee can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be, so there's room for everything and everyone 😉 Let me know what equipment you end up buying, I'd love to walk you through it!
Aw thank you so much! I’d really appreciate it!
I lived in Venice, Italy, for a year and was also amused seeing the espresso being the go-to coffee for everyone.
Wow Alisa, what was your favorite part of living there for a year? Best espresso I've ever had was in Venice.
Must be all their pistachio flavored croissants and pastries! And of course also waking up with boats just outside the window and seeing Venice on off seasons also! Never went for a m espresso there though 🥲
Oh their pastries and views are out of this world. I've always said that Venice is one of the few places in the world that make you feel like you've been transported back in time.
What do you think of the Ese pods?
I was put onto them by a friend who supplies bars and restaurants in Holland with Italian coffee. He felt that for consumers who would take more than a week to consume a standard 250g packet of fresh coffee, individually packed Ese pods were a better solution. The coffee is fresher.
I have tried Nespresso style pods but except for top quality and most expensive ones, the coffee was markedly inferior. I order about 6-7 months supply of Ese pods at a time (from Jolly Caffé in Firenze) and even with shipping, the price is about 60% of the cost of the best quality pods.
So I'd be interested in what you think of Ese pods for people who want genuine Italian coffee but only drink one or two cups a day?
Thanks for your comment Robert. I’ve never tried the ESE pods (only Nespresso pods) but I’ve heard that they are an environmentally friendly alternative because of their low waste. I usually grind my own espresso beans and pull a shot on the spot but if I didn’t have an espresso machine I would think that the ESE pods would be a great alternative for both sustainability and flavor, especially if it’s roasted Italian style. I think the key is finding a good quality roaster.
Something we all love to hear more about.
Right? Isn't coffee like a love language? I know it's mine (and croissants) 😂
Totally!! It’s so great in Italy to stand at the bar and have your morning espresso.
A really fun read! I just bought a Breville Bambino and love it!
That’s awesome Kerry! What have you made so far??
I make iced shaken espressos with oat milk mostly, but I like the occasional latte too on the weekends. My husband uses the milk frother daily for his chai lattes. It’s been so nice to have and doesn’t take up a ton of counter space (which I love!).
That sounds delicious Kerry! I know right? It’s so practical and if you know what you like you can make it on the spot.
I’ve had a Rancilio for twenty years, courtesy of advice on Coffee Geek. It took me 15 years to master the mechanics of what was going on inside. But once I did, the results were and are sublime. Thank you, Drury’s of London.
Wow, what model is it?? Rancilio makes amazing espresso machines. It's so easy to underestimate the quality of coffee we can make at home if we have good machines (and good beans)! It took me a lot of trial and error to figure mine out and once I did I was amazed.
all the art and the science right here!
Thanks Ellen! I hope it was helpful!
What a superb read! I want to go out for a espresso right now.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, espresso is always a good idea
Love how you dig into the etymology of espresso!
Thank you Harrison!
love this!
Thank you Lesli!
of course! Can’t wait to dive in deeper to your substack! Just followed and will subscribe!
I love Italian coffee, and it’s always a treat to learn more about its rich culture and history. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you my friend! I hope you enjoyed it!