What’s the difference between espresso and coffee?
Espresso beans…coffee beans…coffee is coffee, right? Wrong. There are distinct differences between espresso coffee beans and regular coffee beans. Today we’ll go over those differences so you can be better informed when buying from your trusted coffee dealer in Boston.
How Are They Different?
In a nutshell, the difference between espresso and coffee boils down to how they are prepared, and not due to the actual beans. Espresso beans (dark roast) are roasted for a long time, have a fine grind and require a higher pressure to create an ounce or so of concentrated coffee.
Regular coffee beans, on the other hand, are roasted for a shorter period of time than their espresso counterparts. They feature a coarser grind and are ideal for brewing techniques that do not involve high-pressure.
Here are the main differences between espresso coffee beans vs. coffee beans.
1. Preparation
Espresso beans are roasted for a long time at high temperatures to properly extract oils in the beans. This translates to a bolder, richer, and more concentrated flavor.
Coffee beans in a general sense refer to any beans that have been roasted and prepared for brewing. Coffee beans to make traditional coffee are roasted for a short amount of time as opposed to those destined for espresso, which get a longer roasting time.
2. Method of Grinding
Espresso beans are finely-ground, allowing for optimal oil extraction during pressurized brewing. Coffee beans have more of a coarse texture compared with espresso ground coffee, which is ultra-fine.
3. Amount of Natural Oils
Rich in oil, espresso beans have an oily sheen. One big characteristic that defines espresso is the crema that is produced during brewing. This arises from the emulsification of natural oils with other compounds in the coffee.
Regular coffee beans lack that same shine and are not as rich in natural oils. If you use them to make espresso, you will not get a crema.
4. Use
For the best results, espresso beans should be used for espresso, because they will provide the uniformity, flavor and body you want in a shot of espresso. Because regular coffee beans are roasted lighter, they retain the full flavor of the beans. While that’s nice for many brewing techniques, it’s not good for high-pressure ones. Using regular coffee beans for making espresso will result in a bitter taste.
5. Concentration
Coffee beans possess a medium or balanced concentration of bitterness, while espresso beans have a higher concentration. The result? Espresso is thicker, richer, and stronger.
What is Espresso Powder?
If you’re a baking enthusiast – and a coffee lover at that – you’ll want to stock your pantry with instant espresso powder. This will result in richer, bolder and more flavorful chocolate desserts and baked goods. After brewing, this coffee is then dried into a powder. However, unlike regular ground roasted coffee that you would put in your coffee maker, espresso powder is pre-brewed and strong, so it easily dissolves in boiling water, other liquids, and even the wet batters of your favorite baking recipes.
All you need is a teaspoon or two to amp up the chocolate flavor of your baked goods. Add more if you prefer a mocha-style coffee flavor in your chocolate recipes!
Order Your Espresso Single Origin Italian Roast and Traditional Coffee Recipes From Spartan Coffee Company
Whether you’re craving the bold flavors or espresso or a traditional cup of joe, we have what you need. Contact us or browse our website for a full listing of our tempting coffees.