USA | Blue Bottle Coffee has released a new, limited-edition espresso blend and set, First Espresso, created to pay homage to the iconic espresso culture of the 1950s. With First Espresso, Blue Bottle has invited coffee drinkers on a nostalgic journey back in time. The nostalgic coffee blend will be available in Blue Bottle Cafes in the United States.
The 1950s marked a significant period for the popularization of espresso, setting the stage for the global coffee culture of modern times. The widespread adoption of modern espresso machines, developed by Giovanni Achille Gaggia, revolutionised brewing by utilising nine bars of pressure to extract coffee, resulting in espresso with a rich crema. This innovation improved the taste of espresso, made it more appealing to the public, and established crema as a symbol of quality during that time. The rise in popularity of espresso fueled the growth of coffeehouse culture, attracting young avant-garde individuals and igniting a counterculture movement.
Inspired by the vibrant coffeehouse culture of the espresso revolution, First Espresso has artfully blended modern flavours with traditional texture to reimagine the profile of the first modern espressos. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Italian ristrettos, the nostalgic coffee blend has combined Arabica and Robusta beans, reminiscent of those used decades ago. The inclusion of Ethiopian and Kenyan elements has added complexity and brought forth vibrant strawberry and earthy sandalwood undertones that complement the classically nutty flavour and crema found in Robusta-focused espresso of the past.
"As we developed First Espresso, we wanted to resurrect a bygone era by weaving together the essence of the past with our contemporary understanding of coffee," said Benjamin Brewer, Head of Global Innovation at Blue Bottle.
"To create this blend, we paid particular attention to the crema, which was so important to 1950s espresso and blended coffees from Ethiopia and Kenya to create complexity that wouldn't have been in style during this time to offer a taste of espresso as it was enjoyed during this iconic period, with a modern twist."
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