Why We Love National Espresso Day — And What It Teaches Us About Home
There’s something quietly magical in that first pull of espresso: the hiss of steam, the perfume of finely ground beans, and that signature layer of crema that crowns every shot. On November 23, we celebrate National Espresso Day, a day to honor not just a powerful, concentrated coffee—but the craft, heritage, and joy that come with it.
Espresso is more than just a drink — it’s a ritual. The method is simple but precise: pressurized hot water forced through finely ground coffee extracts a rich, intense brew that’s small in volume but big in character. What makes it special is that delicate foam (the “crema”), which holds sugars and oils from the beans and balances bitters with a whisper of sweetness.
The history of espresso is as rich as the shot itself. In the late 1800s, Angelo Moriondo, an Italian innovator, patented a steam-driven coffee machine — a precursor to modern espresso makers. By the early 1900s, Luigi Bezzera improved the design, using steam and pressure to brew coffee per cup, and later Desiderio Pavoni brought those machines into commercial production. Over the decades, the espresso machine evolved until inventors like Achille Gaggia introduced pistons and higher pressure, creating that signature crema we know and love today.
So why do we celebrate this every year? National Espresso Day invites us to pause, to appreciate not just the caffeine but the craftsmanship. It’s a reminder to cherish the small things — a two-ounce shot, warm in your hand, that can ground a hectic morning or elevate a quiet moment. It’s a nod to Italian café culture, where espresso isn’t just fuel — it’s a moment of connection, a micro-ritual, a way to slow down even when life races forward.
Here are a few meaningful ways to observe National Espresso Day:
Visit your favorite café and ask your barista to pull a shot just for you — watch them tamp, extract, and pour with precision.
Experiment at home: if you have an espresso machine, try adjusting the grind or the dose to discover what your perfect shot tastes like.
Use espresso creatively: add espresso powder to your baking (think brownies or mocha cookies), or drizzle a shot over vanilla ice cream for a quick affogato.
Host a little tasting with friends: bring beans from different regions or roasters and compare flavor, acidity, body — it’s a fun way to explore how espresso isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Espresso also reminds us a lot about what “home” means in the real estate world. Just like an espresso shot, a home can be compact yet deeply meaningful. It’s not always about square footage — sometimes, it’s the quality and craftsmanship that matter. The way a home is built, the care put into every detail, can make a small space feel powerful, refined, and full of character.
Furthermore, espresso’s ritual mirrors what I strive to do for my clients. Helping someone find a home isn’t just about matching houses to needs; it’s about understanding their lifestyle, their rituals, the moments that matter most. It’s about offering something concentrated and intentional — just like a well-pulled shot. This day is a reminder that thoughtful, deliberate choices lead to deeply satisfying results.
On this National Espresso Day, I encourage you to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful for you. Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or someone who rarely reaches for that rich, bold shot, take a minute to savor something crafted with care. And as you do, think about the concept of home in a fresh way: what parts of your life are like espresso — compact but powerful, simple but rich?
Because just like that perfect espresso, finding the right home isn’t about how big something is — it’s about how deeply it resonates.