What set me off is... well, it's easiest to share some memories:
1970s, early 1980s in America: nowhere to get espresso except for fancy restaurants or italian neighborhood
Late 1980s in Pacific NW, America: quirky little Starbucks chain pops up. Ambience emulates a SF hippie coffee house, but they serve Italian-style cookies and espresso.
1990s, 2000s: Starbuck becomes gigantic corporation. Coffee culture fad spreads. Average American now knows what 'biscotti' are.
Today: "Italians make bad espresso"
And in a plausible future...
2050s: espresso fad long dead in America. Italians carry on same as ever, since coffee there, for generations, has meant 'espresso'
1970s, early 1980s in America: nowhere to get espresso except for fancy restaurants or italian neighborhood
Late 1980s in Pacific NW, America: quirky little Starbucks chain pops up. Ambience emulates a SF hippie coffee house, but they serve Italian-style cookies and espresso.
1990s, 2000s: Starbuck becomes gigantic corporation. Coffee culture fad spreads. Average American now knows what 'biscotti' are.
Today: "Italians make bad espresso"
And in a plausible future...
2050s: espresso fad long dead in America. Italians carry on same as ever, since coffee there, for generations, has meant 'espresso'