Coffee Across Countries
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All brew methodsItaly

Espresso

Hot water forced through fine coffee at about 9 bar: the base of the café menu.

Where it comes from

Angelo Moriondo of Turin patented a steam brewing machine in 1884. Luigi Bezzera patented a single-serve machine in 1901, and La Pavoni began selling them in 1905.

Achille Gaggia's lever machines, on sale from 1948, created the crema we know today.

How to make it at home

  1. Grind fresh and dose 18 g into the basket.
  2. Spread the coffee evenly and tamp it level.
  3. Lock in the portafilter and start the shot right away.
  4. Stop at about 36 g, aiming for 25–30 seconds.
  5. Too fast or sour? Grind finer. Too slow or bitter? Grind coarser.
Sources

More ways to brew

Turkish coffeeTürkiye: Coffee and water boiled together in a tiny pot, served with its foam and grounds settled in the cup.Vietnamese phinVietnam: A slow, strong drip over sweetened condensed milk and ice: cà phê sữa đá.Café de ollaMexico: Coffee steeped with cinnamon and piloncillo in a clay pot.Ethiopian coffee ceremonyEthiopia: Green beans roasted, ground and boiled in a clay jebena, shared over three rounds.