Looking Into the Origin and Evolution of Coffee Pods
The invention of the coffee capsule changed coffee consumption for everybody, boosting the popularity of one of the most distinctive beverages available—espresso.
You can make coffee in various ways, but espresso quickly becomes connoisseurs' favourite. Espresso coffee is made by squeezing hot water through finely ground beans under high pressure in under 25 seconds, resulting in a concentrated shot of coffee with its signature crema--a beautiful chocolate-brown froth.
In the following paragraphs, you can find out more about the evolution of the technology that has changed the way millions of people consume coffee.
Beginnings of Coffee Capsules
Espresso was invented in the early 1900s by Luigi Bezzera, who was irritated with the time it took to brew his daily cup and added steam pressure to his coffee machine. He not only sped up the brewing process, but he also got a stronger, more robust cup of coffee as a result. Unfortunately, despite his technical abilities, Mr. Bezzera struggled to market his invention.
It was Desidero Pavoni, an Italian businessman, who successfully introduced espresso to the Italian market and transformed the way people drink coffee after acquiring the patent rights to Mr. Bezzera's machine in 1905.
Effects of Changing Technology
Over time, the technology for making the perfect espresso has been developed and fine-tuned. Mr. Cremonesi's invention of the piston-driven coffee machine in 1938 avoided the burnt flavour associated with steam or boiling water. Mr. Achille Gaggia's spring-lever piston pump made it possible to impart pressure to the coffee without relying on the boiler. See, previously, machines drove water through the coffee using boiler pressure.
Faema invented a contraption in 1961 that used an electric pump to drive water through the coffee. This was the start of the pump-driven equipment that evolved into modern espresso machines.
A Brilliant Invention
Eric Favre, a Nestle employee, designed and patented the Nespresso system in 1976. Mr. Favre's invention made it possible for anybody to experience the greatest Italian espresso in the privacy of their own home. Now, they can even find companies selling Nespresso-compatible coffee pods as individual items or subscription-based orders.
Mr. Favre expresses that espresso coffee has a richer scent and flavour because "the small air bubbles included in the liquid burst on your palate and wake up your taste buds." Today, he has continued to innovate and enhance his product since securing a patent on his original capsule in 1976, more than 30 years ago.
Brewing Method
Turning on a capsule espresso machine is the first step in the brewing process. After that, you insert a coffee pod and press the button. The amount of water and pressure injected into each pod causes them to expand slightly due to the increased pressure. This is what allows each pod to reach the necessary pressure to produce foamy espresso.
As the capsule pod grows, it reaches the sharp spikes that penetrate it. The espresso is forced into the capsule, along with the leftover pressurised water. A complete shot of espresso is poured into a waiting cup beneath the machine's spout.
Coffee Capsules Making Strides
The variety of coffee pods available nowadays is enormous. Coffee lovers are spoiled with choice and can have almost any beverage in a capsule, including coffee, hot chocolate, flavoured coffee, and tea. Coffee capsules are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit a variety of capsule coffee machines. So it's with an enthusiastic and triumphant way to say the coffee capsule has gone a long way from its origins.
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