It was called exactly like this: "giant type with double tap". A long, very long name to indicate a revolutionary contraption. It was invented on November 19, 1901, Louis Bezzera. Or rather: Bezzera improved Angelo Moriondo's project which, dated 1884, was shown at the 1884 General Exposition at Valentino without ever entering the market. But what is the real story of the "giant guy with double tap" or, better said, of the espresso machine? Let's find out together.

Espresso machine - an espresso (Pixabay)

The invention of Angelo Moriondo

That of the coffee espresso is a story that begins long ago. A story that originates from instant coffee or, invented by the Turin entrepreneur born in 1851 Angelo moriondo. Engaged in the hotel business (his were the Grand-Hotel Ligure in piazza Carlo San Felice and the American Bar in via Roma), Moriondo devised a machine capable of offering instant coffee: in this way he could satisfy his customers, more and more in a hurry and full of commitments. He presented it at the General Exposition which, in 1884, was held in Turin's Parco del Valentino.

Espresso coffee machine - La Brasiliana, the second machine patented by Angelo Moriondo (Wikipedia)

In copper and bronze, that machine bell-shaped it was truly revolutionary: its boiler was equipped with a control for the water level and steam pressure, it had a safety valve and a filter holder handle with quick fixing connection. Later Moriondo perfected that invention and designed "The Brazilian“, An evolution of its first instant coffee machine. However, it never gave rise to industrial production.

Luigi Bezzera's espresso machine

Instant coffee, however, is very different from espresso: the espresso machine made it possible to have coffee in the form of a drink, creamy and pure. A real symbol of Italy and of the Italian lifestyle. It was patented by the Milanese in 1901 Louis Bezzera. It was he who designed the machine "giant type with double tap“, Presented at the first International Fair in Milan whose patent was later acquired by Desiderio Pavoni of the company La Pavoni. However, the first cars had some "problems", and also caused some small accidents. Everything changed when Achille gaggia, in 1938, introduced a system of pistons that push water at high temperatures through the coffee powder: at that time the first pressure machine for espresso coffee. When Gaggia met Antonio Cremonese, owner of a bar in Milan, began to collaborate. Together, they patented the "plunger tap for espresso coffee machines". The machine, subsequently and again improved, went into series production. And all the rest is history.

Espresso machine - A modern machine (Pixabay)

L'expressed it is today a symbol of Italianness. It is found throughout the world, is imitated (unsuccessfully) and is the source of energy of our days. Technically, it is obtained by percolating hot water under pressure (9 atmospheres) for about 25 seconds: the water passes through 7-9 grams of roasted, ground and pressed coffee, until the pressure runs out and the drink comes out at atmospheric pressure. . There coffee cup perfect in which to serve the espresso, it has a conical shape and an important thickness: this is the only way to observe the quantity poured and keep the temperature of the coffee constant. In addition, it must be "heated": a good bar will hold its cups over the machine, covered with a napkin. A synonym of guarantee, for espresso lovers.

Espresso coffee machine: it all starts on November 19, 1901 last edit: 2020-11-19T09:00:00+01:00 da Laura Alberti

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