How Switzerland has changed the way of drinking coffee in the world – rts.ch

Switzerland is known worldwide for its excellence products such as chocolate. For example, cheese, but few people know that some Swiss inventors have also marked another area: that of coffee.

Although it is not a country producing coffee. Therefore, the inventions designed in Switzerland have revolutionized the way millions of people savor this drink every day.

Espresso also at home – How switzerland changed way drinking

If today we can prepare a coffee as soon as we wake up by simply pressing a button. In addition, it is thanks to the Swiss engineer Arthur Schmed.

The very first espresso coffee machine dates back to 1884. Nevertheless, when the Turin entrepreneur Angelo Moriondo designed it for hotels and how switzerland changed way drinking restaurants. In addition, Its objective is to offer customers a quick and instant coffee.

Until the 1970s, these machines remained reserved for exclusive use in bars, restaurants and hotels. Nevertheless, But Arthur Schmed has his own vision: he wants to bring this technology into all households.

In a Zurich garage, the Swiss engineer creates the prototype of automatic coffee machine intended for domestic use. However, To develop his idea, he is supported by engineer Sergio Zappella. Moreover, The two men spend years looking for funding. to the point of obtaining the support of the historic Swiss manufacturer of solis household appliances.

In 1981, they founded the company SAECO (acronym of Sergio, Arthur and Compagnie) and finally managed to produce their invention. In 1985, Saeco and Solis launched the first automatic espresso coffee machine on the world for domestic use in the world.

The soluble coffee

In 1929, following the Krach of Wall Street, Brazil faced how switzerland changed way drinking a surplus of coffee beans. To relaunch the sector. the Brazilian Coffee Institute asks the Swiss company Nestlé to use these surpluses to create soluble coffee. At the time. there were already instant drinks containing caffeine, but none manages to reproduce the authentic taste and aroma of coffee.

For years, Nestlé worked on coffee beans, but the results are not satisfactory and the project is abandoned. A business chemist, Max Morgenthaler, does not resign himself and continues his experiences in the kitchen of his own house. It is there that he discovers the winning formula: by adjusting the use of carbohydrates. he manages to preserve the aroma of coffee during solubilization.

Max Morgenthaler presents his find in Nestlé and, a few years later, the company launched the Nescafé. In just two years, this new soluble coffee conquers the world, reaching around thirty countries.

Cafe capsules

It all started in 1975. when Eric Favre, a young engineer in aerodynamics just hired at Nestlé, took up a challenge launched by his Italian wife: proving that a Swiss can also prepare an excellent espresso. During a trip to Italy, the couple stops at the famous Café Sant’Eustachio de Rome. There. Eric Favre observes the Barista using a particular method of extraction of water “by pounding” which, by oxygenating coffee, exalts the aroma and the cream.

Back in Switzerland. Favre creates the prototype of a sealed capsule containing air, capable of reproducing the observed effect at the coffee and generating a dense and persistent cream. Nestlé. at first, is not interested in the development of this idea, because at the time, the company was concentrated how switzerland changed way drinking on soluble coffee. The coffee in Nespresso capsules was finally launched in 1986, and success will not arrive until a few years later.

These Swiss inventions have radically transformed the way coffee is prepared. consumed worldwide, making quality espresso accessible to everyone and revolutionizing the world coffee market.

Patrizia Rennis (RSI, SWI)

French adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTS)