Updated on December 7, 2022
Asking some questions could feel awkward. You may be a coffee connoisseur, but it’s possible that you picked up a word without completely understanding what it means. We’re here to assure you that there are no awkward questions when it comes to coffee, so there’s no harm in doing that.
You notice some bags have the label “espresso” while you browse the Eldorado website or the coffee aisle at your local grocery store. Contrary to widespread perception, the beans are not mentioned in that espresso label. Espresso differs from “normal” coffee in how the bean is roasted and brewed, not in the physical bean itself due to roasting process.
Are espresso beans and coffee beans the same?
Arabica or Robusta beans make up the majority of coffee beans. This is accurate for any coffee beverage you make, including espresso. A coffee bean is simply roasted longer, ground finer, then steeped in an espresso maker or aeropress to produce an espresso for coffee aficionados.
Differences between Espresso and Coffee
Roast
Compared to beans used for drip coffee, espresso beans are roasted longer and darker. For drip coffee, the most common roasts are light, medium, and medium-dark. When you think of traditional “American” coffee, that is what comes to mind.
Espresso has a toasty and richer flavor because it is roasted for a longer period of time, typically past the second crack. Additionally, when the beans are roasted for a longer period of time, less acidity and more oiliness are released. The result is a mouthfeel that is heavier and richer.
Grind
In comparison to other varieties of coffee grinds, an espresso grind is often significantly finer. This is so that hot water can be forced through tightly packed grinds during the espresso-making process. Because the water only contacts the coffee grounds for a short time, they must be very fine, similar to the texture of sand.
If the word “espresso” appears on a bag of ground coffee beans, it typically signifies that the beans have been finely ground and roasted to the espresso point.
Brewing
What makes espresso different from a cup of coffee? In the end, espresso’s brewing technique is what makes it unique. Other brewing techniques require more time since they rely on the hot water trickling slowly through the coffee grounds. This indicates that it will take some time for you to get fresh coffee.
Espresso makers pressurize and squirt nearly boiling water through cakes of finely ground coffee beans. With this technique, you can prepare an espresso shot that is flavorful, fragrant, and caffeinated in just under 30 seconds. Of course, you don’t require a sophisticated device. It merely facilitates and improves preparation. Therefore, there is no reason why you can’t learn how to prepare espresso without an espresso machine. Keep in mind that it requires more work from you!
Despite the enormous disparities between coffee and espresso brewing techniques, they have one very significant thing in common: brewing temperature. Any coffee should be brewed at a temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything less results in a beverage that lacks flavor due to poor flavor extraction. However, if the temperature is too high, your first concern should be burned coffee or espresso rather than extraction.
Taste
Your likely next query is “does espresso taste different from coffee?,” and to that we respond that it’s important to note that espresso and coffee do taste slightly different. In general, an espresso shot has a stronger flavor than a mug of drip coffee. This is possibly because there isn’t a filter used during production, preventing any flavor-rich oils from being lost. On the other hand, drip coffee is milder.
Espresso has a distinct flavor from drip coffee since it is roasted, ground, and brewed differently. It typically has a stronger, less acidic flavor and a full-bodied, well-rounded finish. It has a “stronger” flavor, which is to say that it tastes like rich coffee. It frequently feels heavier because roasting specifically draws out more oils in the beans.
Pressure
The switch for pure coffee magic is found on an espresso machine lever. High pressure is essential for speedy brewing, but it also aids in the development of the crema and distributes rich coffee oils into the finished espresso shot. When making filtered coffee, the water is forced through the coffee grounds by gravity. When measured in atmospheric bars, the actual pressure placed on the water and coffee when using a Moka pot or even a French press is little.
Numerous espresso machines typically operate at nine bars, or around 130 pounds per square inch (PSI). To obtain the ideal espresso pressure, you would have to dive about 300 feet beneath the surface of the ocean. This enormous pressure accounts for why espresso brews so rapidly and strongly.
Does espresso have more caffeine?
The idea that espresso contains more caffeine than drip coffee is untrue. In actuality, the reverse is true! Espresso contains a little more caffeine on average than a cup of drip coffee. That’s because espresso beans are roasted for a longer period of time than light or medium roast beans, which causes a significant amount of the caffeine to be burned off.
Even yet, espresso contains a lot of caffeine per ounce. In essence, one ounce of espresso has the same amount of caffeine as one cup of drip coffee (8-10 ounces). However, if you drank 8 ounces of espresso, you would have consumed considerably more caffeine than you needed each day.
Espresso, while having a higher concentration of caffeine, will typically have a lower overall caffeine content than a full cup of drip coffee because you’re only getting a few ounces of it. So even though downing 5-7 shots of espresso might make your heart race, drinking espresso sensibly will probably benefit you more than harm you. As always, though, you should be aware of how substances like caffeine affect your body and consume or avoid it as necessary.
Is Espresso bad for you?
The quick response is no. Like black coffee, espresso really has far more health advantages than negatives. Espresso has some pretty clear advantages because it is both high in antioxidants and low in calories.
The caffeine, which is thought to be espresso’s main downside, is actually one of the biggest, most obvious benefits of drinking it. Although caffeine is what gives you the much-desired energy boost, there is a recommended daily intake limit.
What are the benefits of Espresso?
Espresso has some pretty significant health advantages, so it may be healthy for you in addition to preparing your favorite coffee drinks. According to studies, espresso enhances long-term memory, focus, and mood. It may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and a stroke. Additionally, some people take espresso to improve their performance during physical activity. It is safe to conclude that this beverage isn’t precisely harming people’s health.
Some would argue that espresso is healthier than a typical cup of drip coffee because it doesn’t require a filter to brew, hence espresso has more natural nutrients than a cup of drip. However, excessive use of these natural oils has been related to elevated cholesterol, so you might want to keep an eye on how much unfiltered coffee you drink.