Origin of Espresso
Last Updated: 06/28/2008
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Here's another biased answer. The word "espresso" would have come from the transalpine version of the French word "express" as in, Cafe Express. Until the 1900's, coffee was prepared in bulk, akin to boiling pot of coffee on the stove all day. The novelty was to make, small batches, "expressement" or "espressly" for you along with the speed connotation of express. The Italians took up the fad and appended the obligatory "O" at the end and replaced the "X" with a more Italian "S" sound. In France you can still order an "express" and get an espresso (albeit longer than an Italian one), If you want a short espresso, then ask for a "serré" (tight - as in tamped) or a "court" (short - referring to a short pull of the hydraulic piston machine days).
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