At Prendo, we love bringing a little taste of Italy to your everyday cup. But did you know that the story of Italian coffee is as rich as the crema on top of a perfectly pulled espresso? Let’s take a quick trip back in time and see how Italy fell in love with coffee—and how that love turned into the global coffee culture we know today.
Coffee’s Grand Entrance to Italy
Picture Venice in the late 1500s: gondolas gliding through canals, merchants trading spices, silks… and yes, coffee beans. Italy was one of the first places in Europe to welcome coffee thanks to its bustling trade routes with the Ottoman Empire. Coffee came from places like Egypt, and the name (caffe) is believed to have originated from Arabic (Kaffa or Qahwa). Trieste was (and remains) the main coffee port in Italy, but Naples remains the top consumer. At first, coffee was a little scandalous (some even called it the “devil’s drink”), but when Pope Clement VIII gave it his blessing after tasting it, coffee was here to stay.
Coffeehouses Take Center Stage
By the 1600s, botteghe del caffè—Italy’s first coffeehouses—were popping up everywhere. These spots weren’t just about sipping; they became the cool hangouts of their day, buzzing with artists, philosophers, and politicians. Venice’s famous Caffè Florian, which opened in 1720, is still around, proving that Italians knew how to make coffee culture last. In those days, the Moka pot (or cuccuma) reigned as the go-to device for brewing, which is a simple device still in use today to brew strong coffee on a stovetop.
Espresso: The Game-Changer
Fast-forward to the late 1800s, when Italy truly changed the game. Enter: the espresso machine – pushing boiling water through a puck of ground coffee at 8 to 10 bar of pressure. Suddenly, coffee wasn’t just a drink—it was an experience. Quick, bold, and full of flavor, espresso became the heartbeat of Italian life. Standing at the counter for a shot of espresso became as essential as saying ciao. From there, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes were born—and the rest of the world has been trying to keep up ever since.
From Italy to Your Cup
Today, Italian coffee culture inspires everything we do. Although espresso gets all the credit, you’ll find a Moka pot in any Italian house and on coffee carts around Naples, serving up the hot elixir that keeps the country going. We believe coffee should be more than a caffeine fix—it should be a moment of stillness and joy–a warm cup of inspiration to live an amazing life. And while we’re brewing stateside, our hearts (and beans) are always a little Italian.
Can Any Coffee Be Used for Espresso?
At Prendo Coffee, we’re all about demystifying espresso. Somewhere along the way, people started thinking you need a special “espresso bean” to make that rich, crema-topped shot. Spoiler alert: you don’t. Espresso isn’t about the bean—it’s about how you brew it.
Espresso = Method, Not Bean
Here’s the scoop: espresso isn’t a type of bean at all. It’s a brewing method. Hot water is forced through finely ground coffee at high pressure, creating that bold, concentrated shot we know and love. You could technically use any coffee bean to make espresso—the key is in the grind size and pressure, not the origin or roast.
So Why Do You See “Espresso Beans”?
Great question. When you see bags labeled espresso, it usually just means the roaster has chosen a roast profile that works especially well for espresso machines. Darker roasts, for example, often pull smoother, chocolatey shots with thicker crema. But if you’re into brighter, fruitier flavors a light roast can shine in espresso, too. Ever heard of a blonde espresso? Yep, that’s the idea. Just a lighter roast. At Prendo, we think your cup should taste the way you like it—not the way tradition dictates.
Mixing It Up Is Half the Fun
The beauty of espresso is experimentation. Want a nutty, caramel shot? Try a medium roast. Craving something bold and intense? Go darker. Feeling adventurous? Pull a light roast espresso and taste the citrusy zing. No rules, just flavor. Italians may have invented the espresso machine, but the spirit of espresso is all about enjoying coffee your way.
Prendo’s Takeaway
At Prendo Coffee, we believe in honoring the past but also celebrating the future. We believe coffee can be enjoyed on the street or in your kitchen, not just in quiet cathedrals. Enjoy coffee your way and let someone else live by arbitrary rules or ideas.