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Where does the word "espresso" come from? It comes from Italian espresso, and was adopted directly into English (1940s).
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Where does the word "espresso" come from? It comes from Italian espresso, and was adopted directly into English (1940s).
Espresso’s story begins in Italian: espresso meant “pressed out, expressed.” Literally pressed out, describing coffee forced quickly through fine grounds. It reached English by 1940s as espresso. Italian 'pressed out'; Achille Gaggia's lever machine of 1947 created the modern crema. Today, espresso means strong black coffee made by forcing steam through finely ground beans.
- Stage 1 · Italian · 1900s espresso "pressed out, expressed", literally pressed out, describing coffee forced quickly through fine grounds.
- Stage 2 · English · 1940s espresso "strong coffee made by forcing steam through fine grounds", Italian 'pressed out'; Achille Gaggia's lever machine of 1947 created the modern crema.