The history of espresso cannot be told without considering the origins of the coffee bean itself. Coffee, particularly in the western hemisphere, primarily originated in the Middle East and northern African countries like Ethiopia. Though beans are grown in regions worldwide, the old trade routes of the Mediterranean are responsible for bringing them to Europe, particularly Italy.
Italy, therefore, is largely seen as the originator of modern coffee culture, particularly espresso. But let's take a step back before we dive into a modern cup of high-end Joe. Prior to espresso, it could take several minutes to brew a cup of coffee. In the cafés across Italy, people grew impatient during the time it took to prepare coffee, and as a result, inventors and investors decided there was an opportunity to use steam to cut back on brewing times. Consider it one of the first innovations in foodservice equipment.
After numerous prototypes, a coffee machine utilizing steam was developed in Turin, Italy, which eventually led to the development of espresso. This quickened turnaround times in cafes, led to greater revenue, and created a new popular beverage that is synonymous with coffee today.
So, as you can see, one of the world's most preferred beverages came in part because of the foodservice equipment innovations used to extract the essence from coffee beans.
Today, espresso is the king of coffee, but it hasn’t always been that way. There are a lot of people who believe that espresso is coffee, and they think that it is the purest distillation of the coffee bean. To them, drinking espresso means consuming the literal essence of a coffee bean.
Though espresso-focused beverages like a cappuccino or a latté have been prevalent in Europe for centuries, it's only been in the last few decades that premium coffee beverages have made a major impact in the United States, in large part due to some iconic brands in American coffee. The reality is espresso consumption in the United States is more popular than ever, and with popularity comes profitability. Consider this: in 2020, espresso-based beverages were the most popular gourmet coffee orders in the country, with more than 40 percent of U.S. consumers reporting consuming one in the last day.
So, how does this relate to schools?
While many people associate caffeine with coffee, and the morning cup has become critical for people heading off to work, coffee has become more important in upper-level schools.
For example, students pull all-nighters in college, and they need coffee to help them stay awake. Coffee is also a social endeavor, as friends get together to talk or study. It's also making an appearance in high schools, not just for teachers, but for students. That's because coffee has become so popular with teenagers and because it allows districts to meet nutritional dairy standards. An in-house high school coffee program can even be useful as course material in business management.
All of this reflects a changing attitude toward caffeine, and it has become critically important to offer coffee alongside other foods and beverages in the educational setting. This is an opportunity for schools to generate some additional revenue and provide their students with the energy they need to be at their best in the classroom.
If schools want to take full advantage of the opportunity to add coffee to their kitchens and classrooms, they should consider investing in the right equipment. One of the best options today is a Concordia automatic coffee machine. Easy to use, able to accept credit cards, and customizable to provide educational institutions with an opportunity to meet their needs.
Concordia coffee machines are incredibly convenient, allowing students and teachers to brew instant premium coffee beverages that will taste delicious every time. And with an in-house coffee program, students will have access to a variety of coffee beverages. Leading to an improved experience that can provide the educational institution with a competitive edge.