What Is Espresso And How Is It Different from Coffee?

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I LOVE coffee in just about any form. I mean any form – from a simple cup of brewed coffee in the morning to those elaborate (quite possibly fancy) espresso concoctions from local coffee shops.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably enjoyed espresso in many ways, including straight-up and in lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, cortados, or my personal favorite, affogatos. So, what exactly is espresso, and how does it differ from your regular brewed coffee?

Let’s dig in and find out.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is a highly concentrated form of coffee. It’s made with a 1:2 ratio of finely ground coffee beans and water. Using an espresso machine, which forces water through the grounds under intense pressure. 

The perfect espresso shot will have a foamy layer on top, this is called the crema. The crema is created during brewing. Carbon dioxide — a byproduct of the brewing process — is integrated into the brewed beverage, forming tiny bubbles that rise to the top, the crema. Espresso is versatile as it can be served straight-up as single or double shots, or with water, milk, or even ice cream creating many of the coffee-shop drinks you know, like lattes, Americanos, cappuccinos, cortados, and macchiatos, just to name a few. 

ESPRESSO IS MEANT TO BE STRONG.

Of course, this depends on a lot of factors, including:

• the beans used
• the machine you’re using
• ensuring the time that it’s expressed the correct amount of time so as not to get the “brown water” at the end.

How Is Espresso Different From Coffee?

Espresso and coffee are not technically two different things, after all, espresso is a type of coffee. However, when most people say “coffee” in the U.S., they are referring to a classic drip or filter coffee. You know what I’m talking about. That less concentrated than an espresso version, most of us grab right before we leave for work?

Well, drip coffee typically has a 1:16 ratio of ground coffee to water, and is not brewed under pressure. “Espresso” beans do not specifically need to be the beans you use to brew espresso. Any type of roast can be used. Typically, espresso beans are ground more finely than the beans for drip coffee. That and the process is what makes it espresso. Not the beans.

Is Espresso Stronger than Coffee?

Yes, flavor-wise. Because espresso is much more concentrated than drip coffee, it tends to have a stronger flavor. Add milk, cream, sugar, or anything else you enjoy and that can change the strength of the flavor.

And when it comes to caffeine, well that depends on the beans used. A double shot of espresso (about 1.5 oz) may contain anywhere between 60 and 100 mg of caffeine. That’s a lot of caffeine in a little cup. Comparatively, a regular 8 oz cup of drip coffee (not decaf) can have about 95mg of caffeine.

BREWED ESPRESSO HAS 2.5% FAT, WHILE FILTERED COFFEE CONTAINS 0.6% FAT.

This is because espresso is an emulsion or a liquid composed of stratified oils because just one coffee bean is roughly 12% oil, and you’re obviously using more than one bean to make espresso

HOWEVER… ESPRESSO IS A BEVERAGE THAT IS KNOWN TO BE COMPARATIVELY LOW IN CALORIES.

Don’t let the fat content freak you out! Espresso also contains essential micronutrients like vitamins, and potassium, to name a few. This makes it fairly healthy on its own.

Coffee is also shown to have these benefits as well, and there is nothing to say one is healthier than the other.

Can You Make Espresso with Regular Ground Coffee?

The quick answer… Yes.

Technically, If you have an espresso maker at home, you can make a shot of espresso using pre-ground coffee intended for drip brewing. But note: the grind meant for drip coffee is much coarser than an espresso grind. This results in a weaker, less flavorful brew, and will more than likely lack that lovely signature crema. So, would I recommend it? No.

However, you can absolutely buy ANY type of whole-bean coffee roast you enjoy, and grind it to the correct grind for a fresh great at-home espresso (To grind at home, I recommend a coffee burr vs a grinder). With that in mind, go experiment with a range of coffee varietals and roasts till you find the perfect espresso match for your palette.

Ready to Try Some Fun Espresso Drinks?

Try these recipes:

• Golden Milk Latte (With Coffee)
• Recipe: Vanilla Iced Latte Protein Drink
• How to Make Affogato at Home
• Recipe: Vietnamese Style Iced Cold Brew Coffee

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