Espresso and Coffee

ESPRESSO AND COFFEE
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

– What’s the Difference? –

Some questions may feel embarrassing to ask.

But they only feel like it, if we are not willing to search for the answer.

What’s the difference between espresso and coffee? Is there actually any difference? Are the beans the same or maybe different ones?

You can be a coffee enthusiast or even expert and still have curious questions.

Of course, there is no shame in that at all. In fact, our curiosity is the fuel that drives us forward in life.

So, let’s be curious once again and find out together.

Difference Between Espresso and Coffee Beans – Yes or No

When would you consider yourself to be a real coffee lover or expert?

Many would say, when they are picky with their beans and roast. Coffee makers constantly explore different sorts of beans in order to achieve their favorite flavor notes.

Choosing the right coffee beans can become a crucial point in anyone’s own ‘coffee career’.

When loading up on coffee beans for your new brew method. Have you ever noticed one thing?

You can actually buy coffee beans or espresso beans.

What if I told you they are the same thing? Or, is there a notable difference after all?

Many buyers are actually unaware what really sets these two kinds of beans apart. There is actually the right time for each of them.

Espresso and coffee beans can have very characteristic differences.

Let’s have a closer look.

Roasting Espresso and Coffee

First, we should have a quick look at the actual coffee roasting process.

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There are two coffee making processes that can really define your resulting coffee. The brewing method and the roasting process.

Especially the roasting process will ultimately affect the taste of your brewed coffee.

For every coffee making process, you will start with fresh coffee beans, of course. I mean the green seeds that are coming from the ‘cherries’ of the coffee plant.

By themselves however, the green beans cannot be used for brewing.

The defining roasting process actually helps to unlock the characteristic oils and sugars within the beans. These oils and sugar will then give your coffee its distinct aroma and flavor.

Overall, there is a great range of different light to dark roast profiles. The longer the beans will be exposed to high temperature. The darker they will get.

This plays an important role for both espresso and coffee drinks.

In general, lighter roasts tend to give more distinct flavor.

Furthermore, medium roasts offer more balanced acidity and flavor.

Whereas darker roasts are less acidic but more bitter.

In summary, the basic rule of roasting espresso and coffee is following. A light roast works best with a slower extraction method. This would mainly apply for all filter coffee then.

On the other hand, making espresso works best with a darker roast. Because the overall extraction method is much quicker.

It usually only takes a few seconds to make espresso. Whereas, coffee will take many minutes up until hours, depending on the type of brewing method.

So, yes, espresso and coffee can originate from the same beans. But the roasting and brewing method will be very different and crucial already.

What is Espresso

To even get a better understanding, let’s have a look at the espresso itself.

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An espresso shot is the result of a fast and high-pressure brewing method.

The espresso beans will be very fine-ground. After, the espresso basket will be tightly packed. These espresso baskets are called portafilters.

You will then place the portafilter into your espresso machine.

Within about 25 to 30 seconds, the espresso machine will push the ground coffee through at high pressure levels.

Ideally, a thick and full-flavored espresso brew with just the right amount of cream will be the result.

Furthermore, coffee makers also use this espresso shot as base for other drinks. I am sure, you know drinks like the Macchiato (internal link) and Cappuccino (internal link) already.

All of this sounds pretty easy, right?

Well, not really. Pulling the perfect shot is a task many coffee makers try master for years. It requires a lot of experience to find the right harmony of all concerning variables.

You will need to find the perfect balance between the water type and temperature. The choice and grind of your espresso beans will be crucial as well.

Additionally, your success will depend on the right tampering of coffee ground in your portafilter.

And last but certainly not least, the right amount of water pressure will make a big difference.

If everything goes well and according to plan. Your reward will be a well-balanced espresso shot with perfectly creamy and delicious crema on top.

What is Crema

The crema is the first thing we see before drinking an espresso.

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Its texture is beautiful. And, it often features swirling colors of light gold and deep caramel. The typical crema is a flavorful, aromatic and a reddish-brown froth.

Graciously, it rests on top of a shot of espresso.

When ground coffee comes into contact with hot water. Microbubbles of carbon dioxide (CO2) are released.

This will either happen when you pour hot water over you coffee. Or, it much more typically occurs with an espresso.

As we found out already. Pressurized hot water is forced through finely ground coffee. And, this process will create both the espresso crema and liquid.

The microbubbles of CO2 will attach to natural coffee oils and fats. Automatically, they will rise to the top of your beverage and the crema appears.

But here is what makes crema even more special for coffee enthusiasts.

Within the crema you can have different colors.

These slight color differences can indicate the kind of roast, for example. Or, how long the espresso shot was.

If the color changes or fades away when making several espresso shots in a row. It can also show certain problems with the consistency of your coffee grounds.

Too Light

Let’s say your espresso has a too light-colored crema layer on top. This means that the bubbles are larger than usual.

You may have under-extracted your coffee.

Too Dark

Over-extraction will most likely be the reason then. This can leave you with a taste of bitterness in your cup.

Finding the balance between these two extremes brings out the perfect crema.

Espresso Beans or Coffee Beans

Now, we already know more about the roasting process. Plus, the espresso method is also a bit more understandable, now.

So, let’s move on to the next big question.

What’s the difference between espresso beans and the gold old, regular coffee beans?

Coffee Beans

The regular coffee beans refer to any bean roasted. And, which is then made ready to be brewed.

Commonly, you would choose a lighter roast. Because you will usually want the full distinct flavor of your bean. There is a variety of endless coffee profiles and flavors out there.

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It will mainly depend on which country or region your coffee beans will come from.

Here are the three typical roast levels and their main characteristics.

Light Roast

The beans do not have an oily sheen yet. They are most suitable for white coffee, for example.

Yes, there is really white color coffee out there. You should give it a try.

Additionally, light-roasted beans are best for non-pressure brew styles. Like if you enjoy simple pour-over coffee. Or, if you are looking to make cold brew coffee (internal link).

Light roasts have a light brown, tan color. They do have the highest acidity. In general, they are the brightest of the three roast levels.

Much of the taste comes from the original coffee type. Hence, the characteristics of different coffee origins are most pronounced in light roasts.

Medium Roast

These beans will give you a different flavor profile already.

A medium roast will already have a much darker brown color than a light roast. Coffee lovers describe the look as being richer.

Some of the coffee’s oils may be visible on the beans at this level already.

At this roasting stage, the coffee’s qualities will begin to give way to the roast’s flavors and aromas. It creates a fine balance between acidity and body.

You will still be able to taste the original coffee. But the beans’ brightness will be complemented with the overall fuller body.

Medium roasted beans can be used for many styles of brewing.

Dark Roast

At the third level, the beans are dark brown. Sometimes, the color can even be almost black already.

You will see oils on the beans at this point.

The taste will almost exclusively come from the roast itself.

Because the original coffee’s qualities are already mostly lost at this roast level. It will be quite difficult to pick out the characteristics of a specific coffee’s origin.

Espresso roasts are usually dark roasts. This is partly why espresso can stand up to lots of milk and sugar as well.

In general, the exact roast level is largely our own personal preference. Each level produces different qualities in the coffee.

When you know whether you prefer light, medium or dark roasts. It can also help you identify new coffees that you might like.

Espresso Beans

As we already learned, espresso coffee beans usually belong to the dark roast category.

This is the stage in which the beans offer the least acidity with a fuller body. However, you will still be able to get slight hints of the bean flavor itself, too.

The dark roast of espresso beans are richest in coffee’s natural oils. As a result, you can witness the oily sheen on the beans themselves.

Due to the higher temperatures applied for dark roasts. The oils and other compounds are able to dissolve and mix with each other. Experts call this process emulsification.

Especially this process proves to be very helpful in eventually producing the characteristic espresso crema.

Not all types of regular beans will make a good espresso. Some varieties are simply too light by their origin. Others may be too charred or dark in the first place already.

A careful pre-selection of the right coffee beans is crucial for the ‘perfect shot’ of espresso.

The Perfect Shot

Making a good cup of espresso is not exactly rocket science.

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But it is also not that simple to master easily. You cannot just simply throw some ground coffee and hot water into your espresso machine.

The perfect shot of an espresso will take a bit more practice and dedication.

It makes much more sense to use the right beans for good espresso, right from the start.

Here a few reasons for it.

Typical espresso beans will give you the consistency. On top, you will achieve the body and flavor you will want in your shot.

Additionally, they tremendously help creating a rich crema. This of course will lift the entire quality of your drink.

And, whereas regular beans are great for a variety of brewing methods. Common espresso coffee beans hold up best with high-pressure methods.

So, now we know.

These are basically the main differences between espresso and coffee. It all starts with the right choice of beans already.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Espresso and Coffee

Here are a few very common questions about espresso and coffee. They will also help summarizing everything we learned already.

Can You Use Regular Coffee in an Espresso Machine

Yes, you can.

Technically, you can use regular coffee beans in an espresso machine.

However, the drink you are making will taste different than you are hoping for. It will most likely taste sour, funky and tart.

Please use dark roasts and the outcome and taste will be much better. And on top, you will typically achieve that very much rewarding and satisfying rich crema.