What’s The Difference Between Espresso Vs Coffee

By Shabbir
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The many different names of coffee can sometimes get our caffeinated brains in a bit of a jumble, but in this post, we’ll help you understand exactly what is espresso and how it’s different from coffee.

Next time you’re wondering about the difference, you’ll have the answer and facts at your fingertips!

Espresso is a coffee brewing method that uses very fine grounds and pressure to extract a strong, concentrated shot. “Coffee” usually refers to drip coffee made in a coffee maker, but it can also refer to any other brewed coffee, too.

espresso machine pulling a shot

What is espresso, anyway?

Espresso is made by pushing water at very high pressure through a tightly packed puck of finely ground, powdery coffee sometimes known as espresso powder. Espresso is actually a form of coffee, it is just made differently.

The pressure required for an espresso brew is 9 bars, which equals to about 130 pounds of pressure per square inch. Unless you’re Superman, you can’t generate that kind of pressure without the help of an espresso machine.

On the other hand, traditional coffee is usually made by dripping water through coffee using a filter, or immersing it in water as you would in a french press.

Where taste is concerned, there is a small difference between regular coffee and espresso. Espresso tends to have a more full and intense flavor compared to the more mellow taste of coffee.

Is espresso coffee?

Espresso is indeed coffee! It’s a different preparation, but it’s made from the same beans you use to make regular coffee. You can make espresso with regular coffee beans, and you can make coffee with espresso beans. They’re one and the same thing.

More differences between espresso vs black coffee

comparison of espresso and coffee

Now that we have discussed the different taste of espresso and coffee, let’s take a look at some of the other differences and the similarities between espresso vs coffee. It could prove useful the next time you make a cup of coffee.

Espresso beans vs coffee beans

Some manufacturers would have you believe that you need very specific espresso coffee beans to make genuine espresso. Some coffee shops will even sell beans advertised as espresso, but there is no such thing.

Espresso beans usually refer to roast levels: medium-dark and dark roasts tend to produce the best espresso.

In other words, you can make espresso with anything from Arabica beans to Robusta beans. Whether you need to make an espresso shot or a good tasting espresso in general, your focus should lie on using freshly roasted coffee beans.

Read more about espresso beans vs coffee beans here.

Espresso grounds vs coffee grounds

Espresso powder is finely ground coffee beans, usually to a powdery consistency, hence the name espresso powder.

If you buy espresso powder, you’re actually getting very finely ground coffee beans. Espresso requires the finest grind size: the only thing finer than espresso powder is Turkish coffee powder.

Coffee powder is usually coarser than espresso powder.

But in all seriousness, we really recommend buying fresh coffee beans and then grinding them to your preferred brewing style.

Differences in Brewing method

The brewing process for a cup of espresso is a little different from standard coffee. If you don’t really want to mess around with manual espresso machine, you can simply purchase a good espresso machine for your cup or espresso shot.

If you are looking to make a good espresso by using a manual espresso machine, always make sure that you get an even and fine grind. The grind should also be distributed evenly in the portafilter to ensure the best result.

Is espresso stronger than regular coffee?

This is very much a myth. In fact, the strength of coffee and caffeine is determined by more than just the type of coffee you are having. It really depends on the type of roast you’re using.

An espresso made from a light roast will taste much weaker than a french press coffee brewed from a dark roast.

How many ounces in a shot of espresso?

A shot of espresso is typically 1.5 to 2 ounces. Double shots are 4 ounces. In metric measurements, a single shot is 60 ml, and a double shot is 120 ml.

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

While most people believe that a good espresso will have more caffeine than coffee, this is not the case. In fact, regular drip coffee has more caffeine than a shot of espresso.

According to Caffeine Informer, one shot of espresso has around 77 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, one cup of drip coffee has closer to 150 mg of caffeine.

However, espresso has more caffeine per ounce than coffee. In espresso, you get 77 mg of caffeine from 1.5 ounces. In drip coffee, you get 150 mg in 8 ounces.

So if you drank 8 ounces of espresso, you’d be getting a lot more caffeine!

What does a good espresso shot look like?

A good espresso shot will generally have a layer of crema on top and a shot of coffee on the bottom.

The crema

Crema is considered to be the sign of a great espresso shot. There’s some debate about this, but for the most part, a thick layer of crema indicates freshly roasted beans and proper extraction technique.

But what exactly is the crema, anyway?

When coffee beans are roasted, a lot of carbon dioxide develops inside the beans. As time goes by, the carbon dioxide is slowly released, even if the beans are just sitting there.

When you brew the coffee, the carbon dioxide and the oils are released very rapidly.

The crema is a layer of foam that forms on top of the espresso: this is the last of the carbon dioxide and oils that are mixed together to make a foam.

There’s no real taste to crema, and some people even advocate removing it or mixing it into the shot before drinking.

It’s visually very appealing, though!

The espresso coffee

Espresso is generally on the sweeter side and has a full body and mouthfeel. A good espresso shot will feel thick in your mouth. Not as thick as honey or syrup, but thicker than water.

Because the entire extraction is incredibly fast, a lot of the good tasting compounds of coffee are drawn out and the acids remain in the grounds.

Getting Your Espresso Taste Just Right

Saturation

One of the things that can influence a good tasting coffee is the saturation of the grind. To ensure you get all the caffeine from the grind, you must make sure the grounds are evenly distributed. Once the water comes through, it will improve the taste and the overall caffeine content.

Not many people are sure what the saturation process entails, so let us elaborate on how to get the best results and a cup of espresso you like as a consequence. When you place the grounds in the portafilter, make sure that everything is evenly distributed and that you tamp the coffee down strongly.

The stronger you tamp the coffee, the more resistance the grounds will provide to the water flowing through them. This will extract a bolder flavor.

Evenly tamping your grounds means the flavor distribution will be even, too.

Temperature

The temperature of the water will play a crucial role in making a good-tasting espresso. To make a good coffee, or espresso in this case, you need the right temperature. It usually lies between 190 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit, but this may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer of your espresso maker. It is always a good idea to check all these details in the instructions of the coffee maker.

Brewing time

It is important to know that the caffeine in your brew is released during the first minute of the brewing process. As such, time is a crucial component to create the best cup of coffee.

For an amazing tasting espresso, you should stick with a time between 20 and 30 seconds. Evidently, brewing a regular coffee will take a little longer, as the water drips through slower.

Coffee bean grind

Another vital factor to create a good tasting coffee, and a factor that could influence the strength of your coffee, is the coffee bean grind you use. As we briefly mentioned earlier, the overall grind of your coffee can influence the amount of caffeine you get in your coffee.

Of course, various coffee beans can also have different caffeine content. To ensure you get a caffeine content close to your liking, always check what caffeine content you are getting on your product.

The way you grind can have an influence on the caffeine content too. The finer the grind, the easier the caffeine will be transferred to your cup of coffee. A fine grind is also best for espresso, as a coarse grind will not give you the best result.

Drinks you can make from an espresso

Ristretto

A ristretto is a shorter espresso, meaning it uses less water but the same amount of coffee. As you may expect, a ristretto will be stronger than an espresso.

Lungo

A lungo is a long espresso, which uses the same amount of coffee but more water.

Americano

This popular drink is easily made by combining some hot water with one or two shots of espresso. It was actually invented during the war time, but remained popular in America once the war was over.

Latte

Most people adore a good latte. It is made with some steamed milk and one to two shots of espresso. For most lattes, you will notice a frothy surface. However, this particular option is often confused with a flat white.

Cappuccino

This is arguably the most popular type of coffee in the world. The reason why is not hard to find, because it is made up out of three different layers. The bottom layer consists of a shot of espresso, followed by some steamed milk and some frothy milk on top.

It is not uncommon for baristas to add some additional ingredients on top of the cappuccino. Chocolate shavings or chocolate powder are most popular, but other ingredients can be used too.

Flat white

The flat white is a coffee that originates from Australia and New Zealand. It consists of steamed milk, which is poured over an espresso shot. However, contrary to the latte, this version is creamier.

Macchiato

Most people do not see the difference between the macchiato and the cappuccino. However, there is a difference.

To create a macchiato, the barista uses a shot of espresso and then adds a dot of foamed milk on top.

Conclusion

Next time you want to make or order an espresso, you’ll be an expert. Go ahead and impress your friends and your barista with your newfound knowledge!

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About Shabbir

Shab is the Chief Caffeine Officer at Coffee Brewster. When he's not weighing out coffee beans for his next brew, you can find him writing about his passion: coffee.