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Espresso
— A Delicious History
The great Italian tradition of coffee making began with espresso,
and authentic espresso is still at the very heart and soul
of Italian culture and tradition. Invented in 1903 by Luigi
Bezzera, espresso is the fortuitous result of Bezzera’s impatience.
In his haste to find a way to brew coffee faster, Bezzera
decided to add pressure to the coffee brewing process, thus
reducing the brewing time. The machine he first introduced
was called the “Fast Coffee Machine,” which is where the word
"espresso" comes from. Not only did Bezzera’s machine reduce
brewing time, it also made a perfect cup of coffee. The fast
brewing time allowed the best qualities of the coffee bean
to be extracted, thus avoiding the adverse qualities related
to over-extraction: lack of taste, loss of aroma, and bitter
taste. With his rush to brew, Bezzera forever changed the
way Italians drink coffee.
The Magnifica brings that authentic Italian tradition into
your home with a simple to use, premium quality espresso machine
that will provide pleasure for years to come.
The Magnifica uses the same method of preparing espresso that
has been used for years in the small cafés of Italy. Fresh
roasted coffee beans, ground just before use, produce the
most delicious coffee in the world. Espresso coffee takes
on special characteristics as it undergoes extreme extraction
conditions. Because not all qualities of coffee react in the
same way to roasting and grinding, each component in an espresso
blend is tasted and analyzed to guarantee the highest quality,
the right balance and deepest flavor.
Crema—The Hallmark of a Perfect Italian Espresso
The identifying mark of an authentic Italian espresso can
be found in the caramel colored layer that lies on top of
a properly brewed espresso. This is referred to as the “crema,”
and it is the essence of a perfect espresso. The crema holds
all the compounds that constitute the aroma and flavor of
an espresso. A good crema will last about thirty to ninety
seconds before it dissipates completely. Once this has happened,
the aromatics are infused into the drink to deliver an authentic-tasting
espresso. The technicians at De’Longhi spent years perfecting
the crema produced by the Magnifica, and after your first
cup brewed in your machine, we think you’ll agree it was worth
all their effort.
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