Did you know… espresso is not a type of bean, but a brewing method?

Espresso

Many people think espresso refers to a particular coffee bean or roast, but in Italy, it actually refers to the way the coffee is made. The word espresso comes from the Italian "esprimere", meaning "to express" or "to press out"—a nod to how the coffee is brewed under high pressure to extract rich flavor in a short amount of time.

Invented in the early 20th century, the espresso revolutionized coffee culture in Italy and beyond. The first machine was patented in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera in Milan, forever changing how Italians consumed their beloved beverage.

A true Italian espresso is typically just 25 to 30 ml, served in a small cup and enjoyed quickly—often while standing at the bar. No milk, no syrups, no to-go cups. Just pure, intense coffee, meant to be savored in the moment.

And yes, we take our espresso seriously—so much so that there's even a National Institute for Espresso (Istituto Nazionale Espresso Italiano) that sets official standards for making the perfect cup.