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How did the humble coffee maker become so popular? And how was it even invented? In this article, we cover the history of this popular home appliance.
When the industrial revolution brought about the revolution of home appliances we begin to see the first appliances directed at coffee in specific. In 1901 a business owner, Luigi Bezzera, wanting his employees to take less time for coffee breaks invented a machine driven by steam, with two spouts to pour the espresso. Using a combination of steam and water, forced through coffee grounds by high pressure he found that he could rapidly brew the coffee. It was dubbed espresso because of its speed. But there were flaws in the Bezzera machine, though the coffee was made much faster, it was extremely bitter. The patent for his machine was picked up another man, Pavoni, who realized that the resulting bitterness was caused by the high temperatures the steam imposed on coffee grounds. SO he began to work with other temperatures and pressures and came up with the formula we still use today. Brew it at 195 degrees with 8-9 BAR of pressure.
In 1947 Achilles Gaggia introduced the Gaggia Crema Caffe Machine. It was the first machine that followed the formula above in a consistent manner, introducing pressurized water into a bed of coffee. And it was the first that could do it simple enough for Gaggia to begin commercializing the espresso machine. Before that, every machine on the market was steam driven and more like the modern day Moka brewer. In 1956 that same genius and passionate coffee loving man, Gaggia, introduced the Gaggia Gilda machine, which was suitable for home use, it was a dual lever piston single group machine. In 1961 an M. Faema invented the espresso machine with the electric pump and by 1974 other companies and inventors had been able to perfect designs enough that marketing toward home use was reasonable, and consumers began to buy in large numbers.
Coffee makers have been the constant companion of the beloved brew. They have brought a revolution of speed and efficiency to the working man and woman's day. The features have even become more streamlined, including things like automatic timers so that the owner can have a cup brewed without even thinking about it. Flavor has become an art of the coffee roasters, and the coffee drinkers. Pod coffee makers have come out, with pods that are filled with the perfect amount of coffee grounds so as to brew a single perfect glass. There are machines with grinders on the top for convenience. And the best news is, it seems that coffee making will simply continue to grow better, faster, more convenient with better flavor just imagine the possibilities.
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