Fun Stuff
Barista Terminology
Espresso
- Espresso (Simply a Caffe' in Italy): Small amount (1 to 1.5 oz) of dark, rich coffee. Traditionally served in a 3 oz or smaller, pre-warmed demitasse cup. NOTE: Lemon peels, while commonly served with Espresso in America, are not a typical accompaniment in Italy. Espresso with a lemon peel on the side is sometimes called Espresso Romano.
- Doppio: Double Espresso (twice the amount of coffee and twice the amount of water. Basically, two shots of espresso in one cup).
- Ristretto (Literally, Shrunk or Short): More concentrated espresso - made using the same amount of coffee but less water, as little as 0.5 oz per serving, by shortening extraction time.
Espresso Lungo
- Lungo (Long): An Espresso made with more water than usual (sometimes called an Americano).
- Caffe' Americano: Similar to Lungo, hot water is added to an espresso to obtain a full-flavored coffee.
- Macchiato: Espresso "stained" with a dollop of steamed milk on top.
- Corretto: Espresso "corrected" with a touch of grappa, cognac, sambuca, or other spirit.
- Con panna: Like "macchiato", but whipped cream substitutes steamed milk.
- Caffe' freddo: (Iced Espresso): Chilled, sweetened espresso served in a tall glass, possibly on ice.
Caffe' latte
- Caffe' latte (Latte'): Espresso mixed with steamed milk; usually a breakfast drink - Typically made with more milk than a cappuccino, with little or no froth on top. In Italy, the coffee in a caffe' latte is made out of a stovetop machine, rather than an espresso machine, and is not normally served into bars or restaurants.
- Latte macchiato (Stained milk): Steamed milk "stained" with a shot of espresso coffee, served in a tall glass rather than a cup.
Cappuccino
- Cappuccino: Espresso with foamed milk - 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, 1 part froth.
- Cappuccino scuro (AKA Dry or Dark cappuccino): Cappuccino prepared with less milk than usual.
- Cappuccino chiaro (AKA Wet or Light cappuccino): Cappuccino prepared with more milk than usual.
- Cappuccino freddo (Iced Cappuccino): Cappuccino served over ice
- "Skinny": (as in Skinny Cappuccino or Latte): An espresso-based drink made with skim or nonfat milk.
- "Tall": (AKA Double or Grande): A larger portion (not necessarily twice the size), as in Tall latte.
Coffee History
Timeline
(Source: http://www.cappuccino.net/html/triviae.html )
c 850
First known discovery of coffee berries. Legend of goat herder Kaldi of Ethiopia who notices goats are friskier after eating red berries of a local shrub. Experiments with the berries himself and begins to feel happier.
c 1100
The coffee first trees are cultivated on the Arabian peninsula. Coffee is first roasted and boiled by Arabs making "qahwa" --- a beverage made from plants.
1475
The worlds first coffee shop opens in Constantinople. It is followed by the establishment of two coffee houses in 1554.
c 1600
Coffee enters Europe through the port of Venice. The first coffeehouse opens in Italy in 1654.
1607
Coffee is introduced to the New World by Captain John Smith, founder of Virginia at Jamestown... Some Canadian historians claim it arrived in previously settled Canada.
1652
The first coffeehouse opens in England. Coffeehouses are called "penny universities" (a penny is charged for admission and a cup of coffee). Edward Lloyd's coffeehouse opens in 1688. It eventually becomes Lloyd's of London, the world's best-known insurance company. The word “TIPS” is coined in an English coffee house: A sign reading “To Insure Prompt Service” (TIPS) was place by a cup. Those desiring prompt service and better seating threw a coin into a tin.
1672
The opening of the first Parisian cafe dedicated to serving coffee. In 1713, King Louis XIV is presented with a coffee tree. It is believed that sugar was first used as an additive in his court.
1683
The first coffeehouse opens in Vienna. The Turks, defeated in battle, leave sacks of coffee behind.
1690
The Dutch become the first to transport and cultivate coffee commercially. Coffee is smuggled out of the Arab port of _Mocha and transported to Ceylon and East Indies for cultivation.
1721
The first coffeehouse opens in Berlin.
1723
Coffee Plants are introduced in the Americas for cultivation. Gabriel de Clieu, a French naval officer, transports a seedling to Martinique. By 1777, 1920 million coffee plants are cultivated on the island.
1727
The Brazilian coffee industry gets its start from seedlings smuggled out of Paris.
1750
One of Europe's first coffeehouses, Cafe Greco, opens in Rome. By 1763, Venice has over 2,000 coffee shops.
1822
The prototype of the first espresso machine is created in France.
1885
A process of using natural gas and hot air becomes the most popular method of roasting coffee.
c 1900
Kaffeeklatsch, afternoon coffee, becomes popular in Germany.
1905
The first commercial espresso machine is manufactured in Italy.
1908
The invention of the worlds first drip coffeemaker. Melitta Bentz makes a filter using blotting paper.
1933
Dr. Ernest Illy develops the first automatic espresso machine.
1938
Nescafé instant coffee is invented by the Nestlé company as it assists the Brazilian government in solving its coffee surplus problem.
1945
Achilles Gaggia perfects the espresso machine with a piston that creates a high pressure extraction to produce a thick layer of crema.
1991
Caffè Carissimi Canada, a network of espresso service providers is formed in Canada, modeled after a visit to Franco Carissimi (roaster and equipment manufacturer) in Bergamo Italy. It becomes the fastest growing network of private and independent super automatic machines providers in Canada.
1995
Coffee is the world’s most popular beverage. More than 400 billion cups are consumed each year. It is a world commodity that is second only to oil.