Espresso and coffee are different things. If you’re new to the world of coffee, then you should be confused by now. Both drinks have their followers and they offer different things. Before we dive into the details, let’s answer the most important question.
What is the difference between espresso and coffee? Espresso is a coffee drink that is made using the espresso machine by passing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. Regular coffee can be prepared through different methods like drip, cold brew, french press, and more. Espresso is more concentrated in terms of flavor when compared to regular brewed coffee but the latter comes with more caffeine.
Espresso Vs Coffee: A Deep Dive
We know we’ve given you a simple answer. This section will dive a lot deeper into the comparison and will give you more information to munch on.
Let’s go.
What’s An Espresso?
Espresso is an Italian coffee drink that is made with an Espresso machine. It is prepared by passing hot water through finely-ground coffee at high pressure.
The whole process takes around 30 seconds so espresso is a lot quicker than regular coffee. Making espresso is quicker as we use a fine grind.
If you’re looking for a concentrated, strong coffee drink, then an espresso shot is your best friend.
What’s A Coffee?
The classic, brewed coffee is what we love (no offense, espresso). It can be made through numerous brewing methods like drip coffee, pour-over, filter coffee, french press, Aeropress, cold brew, and many more.
The brewing time of coffee can vary anywhere from 4 minutes to even 24 hours depending on the method you are going to use.
The ground level of your coffee bean will also depend on the method you choose. More on this later.
Beans & Grind Level
Many people think that espresso beans have to grow differently. But that’s not the case.
Any coffee bean can be used for espresso. You do not need a special kind of coffee bean to make an espresso drink. Whether it is Arabica or Robusta, you can use it. There is no such thing as an espresso bean.
The roasting, however, makes the espresso beans what it is. For espresso, the roast on your coffee beans must be dark. You can use light or medium roast coffee beans to make espresso. So if there is one area where you should focus, it is this.
For regular coffee, the roasting level can vary based on your brewing method. You can use light, medium, and dark roasted beans to make regular coffee.
The ground level of your coffee beans is also important.
For espresso, you are going to need finely-ground coffee beans. For regular coffee, again, it is going to be different. For example, you will need a coarse coffee ground for both french press and cold brew, but a medium ground for a drip coffee maker.
Caffeine Content
One of the common misconceptions we hear is that espresso comes with more caffeine content.
It is not true.
When compared with coffee, espresso comes with less caffeine.
A shot of espresso can have anywhere between 40mg to 60mg of caffeine. But a regular glass of coffee can have around 80 to 100mg of caffeine depending on the drink.
Though coffee will have more caffeine when compared to espresso, a shot of espresso will have more caffeine per ounce.
If you’re looking for more caffeine, then you have to have 2 shots of espresso (or more depending on how much caffeine you’re craving).
Taste
With brewed coffee, you have a lot of options when it comes to taste.
Each brewing method will give you a different taste profile and that will also vary depending on the choice of beans and the grinding profile.
But with espresso, you get one taste. Yes, the universal taste does not change. If it changes, then it probably isn’t espresso.
Espresso comes with a concentrated, strong taste that many like. The crema on top is also a feature that many love. For beginners, espresso can be a bit too much as it can be harsh on your taste buds. But once you get used to it, it’s all good.
Equipment Needed
To make espresso you’re going to need an espresso machine. An espresso machine is not something you can find in a coffee lover’s home. It is expensive and the learning curve is also there.
If you want an espresso, then the best is to visit a local coffee shop and order one.
When it comes to coffee, you may or may not need specialized equipment depending on the brewing method. For french press coffee, you will need a french press. You will need a Moka pot if that’s your weapon of choice.
You don’t need any gadgets if you’re making cold brew coffee.
The most common coffee-making style is using the drip coffee maker which is still not expensive as an espresso machine.
In terms of money, espresso can cost you if you want to own an espresso machine at home.
Acidity
Espresso is less acidic when compared to other coffee drinks.
To make an espresso drink, we use coffee grounds that are made from dark roasted coffee beans. As the beans are roasted for a longer time, the chlorogenic acids in them are broken down.
As a result, the acidic content of the dark roasted beans is much less giving us a less acidic coffee drink.
Coffee, on the other hand, can be at any level of acidity. It once again depends on the roast of the beans used.
If you are going to lightly roasted coffee beans, you will have an acidic cup of coffee. If you’re using dark or medium roast coffee beans, then the acidity level will be lower.
Now that we’ve covered the basics in good detail, let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions.
Is Espresso Stronger Than Coffee?
Espresso comes with a stronger taste when compared to coffee.
It can be slightly more bitter-y as well. If you’re someone who appreciates the raw, slightly bitter taste of coffee, then espresso might be something to add to your evergreen coffee drinks list.
But in terms of caffeine content, espresso is not stronger than your run-of-the-mill coffee as it comes with half (or less) the caffeine content.
If you’re looking for a caffeine boost, then our good old coffee is a good choice.
But do keep in mind that you have the option to have more than one espresso shot if must have your caffeine intake through espresso drinks. I mean, why not.
Which Is Healthier Espresso or Coffee?
Espresso is healthier than brewed coffee as it doesn’t use a coffee filter during the process. Espresso comes with all the goodness of coffee bean oils and minerals which is absent in all filtered coffee methods. It has the risk of raising your cholesterol levels but it will be nothing when compared to a french press or Turkish coffee.
Since espresso is made from dark roasted coffee beans, it is less acidic in nature. This also means that espresso comes with very few antioxidants.
If you’re drinking coffee for its antioxidant properties, then coffee is a better choice. Stick will black coffee as it gives you the best effects in terms of antioxidants.
Can You Make Espresso With Regular Coffee?
You can make espresso with coffee grounds. Be informed that the resulting drink might not taste like an espresso at all. To make an espresso, one must use dark roast coffee grounds. When you change this part of the equation, you simply don’t make an espresso drink.
You can use your espresso machine in combination with other roast beans and grind levels, but to make an espresso, you will need dark-roasted coffee beans that are finely ground.
How Many Shots Of Espresso Equals One Cup Of Coffee?
The answer to this question depends on how much coffee you drink.
If you drink a 2 to 3 oz espresso and if your coffee size is around 12 oz, then you’re going to need 3 to 4 espresso shots to match a coffee.
But be warned that drinking that many espresso shots also mean that you will be taking in a lot more caffeine than your coffee. So it might not be a good idea to drink the same amount of espresso as your cuppa joe.
Coffee vs Espresso – The Conclusion
Be it coffee or espresso, you can’t go wrong with either of the drinks.
When it comes to satisfaction, both an espresso shot and a steaming cup of rich coffee can be equally good.
If you can’t have your coffee without creamers or other additives, then espresso might not be your cup of coffee. In that case, enjoy your coffee with all the bells and whistles. After all, life’s too short to not have your favorite cup of joe.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a strong hit of caffeine, then an espresso shot will serve you like a boss. It’s a quick drink so that you can just have it in one go and go on about your business.
We know the conclusion isn’t to favor one drink. That’s because each of them is made with a different drinker in mind and for them, that particular drink will be heaven.