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What Is the Difference Between Coffee Beans and Espresso Beans?
The differences between coffee beans and espresso beans and which is the right choice for you.
Published January 19, 2022
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Erik Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Many coffee drinkers have a preference for either espresso or coffee. But when you compare the two and take a closer look at how they are similar and their differences, there are several ways to distinguish these two different types of beans from each other.
When you compare espresso vs coffee beans, you will notice a few significant differences. The difference between espresso and coffee beans is down to your flavor preferences and how the beans are roasted.
What is the difference between coffee and espresso? Coffee beans are prepared with many different methods including French Press, drip-brewing, or percolating. However, the beans are still the same, meaning that the taste comes from the roast and the type of method used, along with other factors such as the freshness of the beans you use. On the other hand, almost all espresso is made using the same method, giving it a unique flavor. When you brew espresso, you extract pure essence from the very finely ground coffee beans as the hot, pressured water passes through them. The best thing about this is that it results in a drink that’s high in caffeine with plenty of flavor.
Espresso Beans
What are espresso beans? Why does espresso use darker beans? Are espresso beans different, and how? Espresso is typically created using dark roasted coffee beans for one main reason; it helps the extraction process create a bolder, and more robust flavor. These dark roasted coffee beans are not recommended if you like flavored coffee or other brew types, since in anything other than espresso, it often makes it difficult for you to pick up the flavor notes of the beans in your drink. However, while espresso does have a specific flavor range, it can be used in a wide range of coffee drinks. For example, flavored syrups can be added to the espresso to create a sweeter taste and balance the flavor.
Roasting Process
Is there a difference between espresso beans and coffee beans when it comes to roasting? In general, coffee beans that are designed to use for making espresso will be roasted for longer in comparison with beans for making standard drip coffee. Espresso beans are usually in the darker roast class which means that they are roasted to a stage where they will offer the last acidity and a fuller body.
Brewing Processes
Espresso and brewed coffee are both products of two different ways to prepare coffee, both of which have different effects on how your final cup is going to taste. How they are made is the main difference between espresso and traditional brewed coffee and will dictate the flavor of your coffee much more than the actual beans itself. However, using the right beans for the type of brewing method that you want to use can be the difference between a cup of coffee that tastes bland, okay, or great.
Using Espresso Beans for Regular Coffee
You want to make drip coffee, but the beans you’ve bought say espresso beans – can you use them? Are coffee and espresso beans the same? The answer is yes and no. You can certainly achieve the flavor of a regular cup of coffee using espresso beans, but you will need to grind them differently compared to when making espresso. To make espresso, you will need to grind the beans very finely – which is usually far too fine to make any other type of coffee. Along with this, espresso beans are usually oilier compared to regular coffee beans, so they might need grinding for longer. While you can use espresso beans to make regular coffee in a pinch, they definitely make better espresso.
Why Espresso Has a Different Taste
Now that you know some of the differences between coffee and espresso beans, you might be wondering where the difference in taste between the two comes from. It’s due to the process that they are put through to make the finished product as, after all, both of them started out as green, unprocessed coffee beans.
When you brew coffee in a pot, most people make a large amount and let it sit before they drink it. Time is needed to draw out all the best flavors from the beans, but it’s important to not leave it too long either, since this can add bitterness to the coffee. On the other hand, espresso is brewed using very finely ground beans that are brewed into a much smaller cup. The high pressure allows for extremely fast extraction that gets as much caffeine as possible out of the coffee, with a bolder taste. The short extraction time and higher caffeine content due to the way that espresso is brewed means that it has a more concentrated flavor compared to coffee, which extracts for longer and has less caffeine, leading to a milder taste.
Can You Mix Espresso and Coffee?
For a unique taste, you may want to consider mixing coffee and espresso. Espresso typically tastes quite bitter, so you can balance out these flavors by mixing it with regular coffee. Despite the fact that espresso is typically higher in caffeine compared to regular coffee, the brewing process is still similar. Espresso beans give a bolder, stronger flavor in comparison to regular coffee and when mixed together, they will all combine for a drink that tastes great. Adding a flavored syrup to your coffee drink can also be a good option for balancing the taste further and making the beverage easier to drink.
Is Coffee or Espresso the Best Choice for You?
Now you know the main differences between espresso and coffee, you might be wondering which one is the best option for you to drink. Whether you go for espresso or coffee is down to your personal preferences when it comes to the taste and flavor profiles that you like and the amount of caffeine that you want to consume. Espresso and coffee are both drinks that were definitely created to get people up in the morning; however, they do it differently due to the roasting and extraction methods that are used for each one.
If you want a super caffeine boost, it’s a good idea to choose espresso since it tends be more caffeinated due to the shorter extraction time and concentrated flavor, giving you the energy boost that you need in the morning to get going. However, if you don’t need as much caffeine, regular coffee will work just fine. It also tends to be cheaper to make, which is an ideal option if you want to save some money.
If neither coffee or espresso sounds like the perfect option for you, then you will always have the option of combining both of them for a unique flavor and even more caffeine if you prefer.
How to Choose the Right Beans
Whether you want to make coffee or espresso at home, choosing the right beans is a crucial part of the process. Ideally, you should get whole beans that you can grind at home as these will last much longer compared to pre-ground coffee beans, and each cup you make will be freshly ground for better flavor. Along with this, once you know the difference between espresso and coffee beans, you may find that some beans are going to work well for both depending on the type of coffee that you want to make. For example, French Press coffee works well with the dark roasts that also make good espresso, and the main difference between the two is that you’ll need to grind the beans very finely to make espresso, while a coarser grind works better for French Press coffee. There are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing the right coffee beans, including:
Roast Level: How the coffee is roasted will play a major part in how your cup tastes. Darker roasts tend to work better for espresso, although some light roasts are becoming more popular such as the Starbucks blonde roast, which packs even more caffeine.
Roast Date: It’s important to check the roast date before you buy coffee beans as this will indicate how fresh they are. Ideally, the roast date should not be too far in the past as coffee beans will lose their freshness over time even if they have been packaged well. Get coffee that has been recently roasted wherever possible.
Coffee bean type: Arabica or Robusta? Or a blend of the two? Which one you go for will depend on your personal preference when it comes to taste, but bear in mind that the type of coffee beans you choose will affect your espresso or coffee. Arabica beans tend to be smoother and sweeter, while robusta beans are more bitter.
Fair Trade: Do you want to make ethical choices when it comes to buying coffee? Sadly, many coffee farmers are still struggling despite this being one of the most in-demand crops worldwide. Always look out for Fair Trade coffee to make sure that you’re buying a product that farmers have been paid fairly for.
While coffee and espresso beans are the same at their core, there are some differences in how they are prepared that make them ideal for these different brewing types.
About the author
Erik Hedlund
With Era of We and The Coffee Lab, I hope to share knowledge, increase the value of coffee – and secure the future of coffee.
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