The simplest and most accurate definition of espresso is "hot water being forced under pressure through very finely ground, dark roasted coffee." The idea of using steam to propel the brewing water for coffee was the brainchild of a Frenchman, Louis Bernard Rabaut, in the early 1820's. Another Frenchman, Edward Loysel de Santais, used the same principle to produce a machine that could make larger amounts of coffee; he exhibited it at the Paris Exhibition in 1855.
In Italy, in around 1900, changes were made that enabled several individual cups- instead of one large pot of coffee- to be brewed by steam pressure at a speed which gave rise to the name "espresso." The improvements culminated in Luigi Bezzera's patented machine of 1902.
Another milestone towards the perfection of the commercial espresso machine was Giovanni Achille Gaggia's use in 1948 of a spring-powered piston to increase the amount of pressure on the brewing water, so that it no longer needed to be heated to such a high temperature, potentially scalding the coffee.
Eventually the spring powered pistons gave way to electric pumps, and today's barista, Italian barman, needs only to press a button to harness nine bars of pressure for a few sips of liquid energy.

Excerpted from The Chocolate and Coffee Bible, pg. 386

Big City Blend~ Our specialty dark roast blend of Columbian, Indonesian and African beans that make a dark but very smooth cup of coffee.

Lima Bean Blend~ A very special house blend of three beans from Central America, Africa and Indonesia that make a mild but flavorful cup of coffee.

Guatemalan Antigua~ One of the world's most popular coffees, with an excellent, well-balanced flavor.

Columbian Supremo Decaf~ Rich, well- balanced, deep and mellow body.

Coca Mocha Decaf~ Just a hint of coconut in this mocha chocolate flavor!

Our annual Chocolate Celebration continues throughout February, so be sure to stop in and try a featured drink or goody! We will be featuring special Chocolate Gift Baskets, chocolate covered pretzels, and, for a limited time, Chocolate Pizza! You select the toppings (coconut, hazelnuts, caramel sauce, fudge sauce, Nutella spread, etc.) and we bake them to perfection on a gourmet pizza pastry crust!
There are also many delicious featured drinks to choose from, including:
*Black and White Mocha
*Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mocha
*Candy Bar Mocha
*Tiramisu Cappuccino
*White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha

Singer/songwriter Michael Ricks will be performing songs from his upcoming CD release THIS Saturday evening at 7PM here at The Meeting Place! Be sure to stop in and enjoy the talents of this multi-dimensional performer.

Also be sure to stop out NEXT Saturday, March 1st, to hear The Timothy Project in concert!