There are two types of coffee lovers one who know the difference between espresso and coffee beans and second who think that both are the same. If you belong to the second category, then you are in the right place because in this article you will learn the difference between the two.
Every coffee lover you meet, one thing you will find common in them is that they are very picky about their beans. This is because every coffee tastes different and have some special attributes about them. Espresso is made from coffee beans but despite that, they are different from each other. Having said that, now let’s take a look at the major difference between espresso beans and coffee beans.
What’s the difference?
By now you must already know that this article is all about espresso beans vs coffee beans. Coffee beans can be described as any kind of roasted beans that are ready for brewing. On the other hand, espresso is darker in color. Also coffee provides you with a light flavor. But in the case of espresso beans, you get to enjoy the bold taste of it. Other than this there are other differences as well. The main differences between espresso and coffee beans are listed below.
1. Origin
Before we move on to the main details, let us first have an idea about their origin. The differences between coffee and espresso ironically start from their similarity. Many of you may assume that the beans of coffee and espresso are different. Well, that is not correct because they come from the same coffee beans. Espresso is often is mistaken as a different type of bean because of its texture, caffeination, and taste. But the main difference lies in the way it is processed.
Coming to the point, there are basically two types of coffee beans available out there one is Arabica and second is Robusta. The taste of Arabica may vary from tangy to sweet but for Robusta, it has a nuttier flavor. The nutty flavor is enhanced when the beans are roasted. But for Arabica, they have more of a floral and sweet flavor.
Espresso can be made from both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. It is actually the name of the drink itself. So if you thought it is made from some special type of coffee beans then you are wrong.
2. Caffeine content
One of the main differences between coffee and espresso is the caffeine amount. Espresso is considered to have more caffeine amount than coffee. However, to some extent, it also depends on how much you actually consume. For example, if you compare a cup of regular drip coffee with a shot of espresso, you will find that drip coffee contains more caffeine content. Typically, a shot of 1oz of the espresso is known to contain around 40-75 mg of caffeine, whereas an 8oz cup of drip coffee has 85-185 mg.
From the above discussion, it is clear that espresso contains more caffeine per ounce. This is where the confusion starts. Whether you have a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso, you are going to get almost the same amount of caffeine content. But if you are a sucker for espresso and consume more than recommended shots in a day then you are likely to consume more caffeine.
3. Taste
Coming to taste, espresso and coffee tastes differently from each other. If you consume coffee daily, you will be able to tell the difference between the two in just a sip.
In terms of taste, espresso is known to have a roasty and full-bodied flavor which is considered to be much stronger than a cup of coffee. But on the other hand, a cup of drip coffee tastes sweet and flavourful.
4. Process of making
Almost every one of us is familiar with the process of coffee making. There is more than one way to do it. French press, old fashioned drip coffee and percolated are only a few of the examples to be named. All of these coffee making styles can be applied in the home in order to make an amazing cup of coffee.
But when it comes to making espresso at home, it is a completely different story. Most of us avoid making espresso at home because of the expensive machines that are needed. Also, you should know that espresso cannot be made in a French Press or a coffee pot. That’s because it requires high pressure in order to heat the water.
Luckily, espresso machines are getting cheaper by the day because of which you can consider making espresso at home. Most of these machines are equipped with a built-in fine grinder to grind the beans. You cannot use regular coffee grinders in order to make espresso.
After going through the above pointers, it can be said that espresso doesn’t have any particular definition. It is not derived from a particular tree. It is made with the same coffee beans that you use to make drip coffee. In fact, you can make use of any type of coffee beans in order to make espresso with it. However, the taste may vary.
If you wish to enjoy the best shots of espresso, you should know which type of coffee beans are the best. Along with that you also need to have an espresso machine. In case, you don’t have much knowledge about espresso machines, it is better than you do your homework before hitting the store. This will help you to find a quality espresso machine from the market.
Now that you know the difference, you can decide which one you like the best. If you like to have a bolder taste, espresso is the option for you. But if you like variety or a little lighter coffee then you should go with coffee. It is completely up to your taste to choose. No matter which type of coffee you choose, it never fails to uplift your mood.
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