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Coffee is Discovered in Ethiopia
Legend tells of an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating the bright red cherries from a wild coffee plant. Curious, he sampled the fruit himself, beginning one of history’s most remarkable discoveries.
Coffee Reaches Yemen
Coffee cultivation begins in Yemen, where the bean is first roasted and brewed into the drink we recognize today. Coffee houses spread throughout the Middle East, becoming centers of conversation, culture, and commerce.
Coffee Arrives in Italy
Venetian merchants introduce coffee to Italy. Over the centuries, Italian artisans refine the brewing process, laying the foundation for the rich espresso culture that defines premium coffee today.
The First Espresso Machine is Patented
Italian inventor Angelo Moriondo patents the first steam-powered espresso machine in Turin, creating a faster method of brewing concentrated coffee and forever changing coffee preparation.
Modern Espresso is Invented
Luigi Bezzera improves Moriondo’s invention by developing a machine capable of brewing individual shots quickly and consistently, the blueprint for modern espresso.
True Crema Espresso is Born
Achille Gaggia revolutionizes espresso with his lever-driven machine, producing the rich golden crema that becomes the signature of authentic Italian espresso.
The Espresso Martini is Invented
London bartender Dick Bradsell creates the Espresso Martini after a customer famously requests a drink that would “wake me up and then send me to sleep.” He combines premium coffee, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar to create what would become one of the world’s most celebrated cocktails.
A Global Cocktail Phenomenon
The Espresso Martini becomes a worldwide favorite, appearing on the menus of luxury hotels, fine restaurants, and cocktail lounges, and neighborhood bars alike. It evolves into one of the defining premium cocktails of the modern era.
2026
