National Espresso Day ☕

Overview

National Espresso Day, celebrated annually on November 23rd, honors the concentrated coffee beverage that originated in Italy. It's a day to appreciate the rich flavor, aromatic crema, and invigorating kick of espresso, which serves as the foundation for many popular coffee drinks worldwide.

Origin and story

Espresso was first developed in Italy at the turn of the 20th century.

The term "espresso" in Italian means "expressed" or "pressed out," referring to the method of forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans.

Quick facts

• DateNovember 23
• TypeFood / Dessert
• Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

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Ways to celebrate

Espresso's signature crema and quick shot didn't come from one lone "aha" moment — it took two Italian inventors, roughly two decades apart, to get there.

Credit the first steam-powered patent

Angelo Moriondo of Turin filed the first known patent for a steam-driven coffee machine in 1884, built for the Turin General Exposition — but it was a bulk brewer, and the coffee it produced wasn't good enough to catch on widely.

Credit the pressure breakthrough

In 1901, engineer Luigi Bezzera improved on the idea by forcing pressurized water through the grounds instead of just applying steam, finally producing a quick, concentrated shot — his patent was later bought by Desiderio Pavoni, who commercialized it through his company La Pavoni in 1905.

Read the full story

Helpful resources:

• The Long History of the Espresso Machine (Smithsonian Magazine)

Did you know?

"Espresso" comes from the Italian for "pressed out" or "expressed" — a nod to the pressurized brewing method Bezzera pioneered, not to how quickly the drink is made.

Fun facts

• Espresso was first developed in Italy at the turn of the 20th century.
• The term "espresso" in Italian means "expressed" or "pressed out," referring to the method of forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans.
• The distinctive reddish-brown foam layer on top of an espresso shot is called "crema" and is a key indicator of a well-prepared shot.
• Despite its strong taste, a single shot of espresso (about 1-2 ounces) typically contains less caffeine than an 8-ounce cup of standard drip coffee.
• Espresso is the base for numerous popular coffee beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and americanos.

Sources and attribution

The Long History of the Espresso Machine (Smithsonian Magazine)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Espresso Day?

It is observed on November 23 each year.

What is National Espresso Day?

National Espresso Day, celebrated annually on November 23rd, honors the concentrated coffee beverage that originated in Italy. It's a day to appreciate the rich flavor, aromatic crema, and invigorating kick of espresso, which serves as the foundation for many popular coffee drinks worldwide.

How do people celebrate National Espresso Day?

Order a shot and consider its two-inventor history — Angelo Moriondo patented the first steam coffee machine in 1884, and Luigi Bezzera's 1901 pressure breakthrough turned it into modern espresso.

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