Espresso Vs. Regular Coffee: What’s The Difference?

A hot cup of coffee an essential part of the morning routine for people all over the world. And while some people prefer strong and smooth pour-overs, others declare espresso to be the truest form of coffee and will consider nothing else. So, what’s the difference between espresso and regular coffee? 

The difference between regular coffee and espresso isn’t the beans, brewed. Espresso is brewed by using high temperature and high pressure, leading to a different extraction profile than coffee, which is brewed without added pressure. Espresso is more concentrated than coffee.  

Most people are aware that espresso and coffee are different, but they’re less sure about what makes the two unique. Let’s take a look at how these two brews are different from each other — as well as what they have in common.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso Coffee Cup With Beans

Espresso is a shot of thick, concentrated coffee with a bold flavor. Its unique method of brewing requires finely ground beans and high water pressure. Although darkly roasted beans are the most popular choice among espresso lovers, this brew can be made from any kind of coffee beans. 

Espresso machines use very high water pressure to push hot water through the finely-ground coffee beans. This brewing process extracts coffee quickly and offers a drink that has a high density of soluble oils. 

You will also find a top layer of foam in your espresso shot cup. Known as crema, this foam is the result of the high-pressure extraction process. Espresso also serves as a base for popular drinks including cappuccino, macchiato, flat white, latte, americano, cortado, and maroccino. 

Espresso has origins dating back to the 1900s. Initially enjoyed in Italy, the drink has become quite popular all around the world. If you order coffee in Italy, it’s understood that you will receive a shot of espresso by default.

The primary reason for the popularity of espresso is its quick brewing time of 30 seconds, which is just a fraction of the time required to brew regular coffee. It was made popular in Italy by workers since it was easy to brew during limited break time.

Are Espresso Beans the Same as Coffee Beans? 

You’ll be surprised to know that espresso and regular coffee beans are the same. Typically, coffee beans are either Arabica or Robusta beans, and all the various types of coffee drinks are made from these two types.

Espresso beans are coffee beans that are just darkly roasted, ground finer, and brewed using an espresso machine or an Aeropress (on Amazon).

Does Espresso Taste Different Than Coffee? 

The difference between an espresso and regular coffee becomes evident as soon as you take that first sip. Espresso has a full-bodied, rich, well-rounded flavor that many people claim is much bolder than the flavor of regular coffee. 

True to its name, which means ‘expressed’ in Italian, the coffee flavors in espresso are more prominent due to a high coffee-to-water ratio. The aroma, acidity, roast, sweetness, and bold flavor give this drink a taste that is quite different from regular coffee. 

There’re no paper filters in an espresso machine; that’s why all the flavor-filled oils seep down into your espresso shot. Its fast brew time also ensures that it’s not very bitter. Regular coffee is brewed for four minutes, which releases heavy compounds in your coffee cup.

How Do You Make Espresso? 

A countertop espresso machine is the best way to make high-quality espresso. However, there are also other ways to get an excellent shot of espresso. Here’s a list of the top espresso brewing methods: 

Espresso Machine

Because of the pressure required, you’ll need to invest in a top-quality countertop espresso machine to get a bone fide espresso shot. These machines can be manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. 

However, fully automatic espresso machines are preferred by baristas as they’re much simpler to use. Many espresso machines are designed with a steaming wand for making steamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

Although countertop espresso machines are quite expensive, they’re the best option for enjoying a premium espresso experience. If you’re looking for a machine of your own, you can’t go wrong with the De’Lognhi Stilosa Espresso Machine (on Amazon).

French Press

A French press is a great way to make espresso, as it produces a shot that is closest to the real flavor without using an espresso machine. Designed in the shape of a pitcher, the French press is an economical solution for people who love espresso.

Although you won’t get a foamy crema in your espresso cup, the taste achieved by a good French press coffee maker (on Amazon) is pretty close to the real deal. 

Moka Pot

The moka pot is a stovetop method of making rich and dark coffee by pushing steam through coffee grounds. Although the flavor of this coffee isn’t exactly like espresso, it’s quite similar.

You can use the coffee brewed in a moka pot as a stand-in for various espresso drinks. Our favorite moka pot is the Bialetti Moka Express Alpina (on Amazon).

Aeropress Espresso

Espresso can also be made with an Aeropress (on Amazon), but the resulting brew lacks in flavor and isn’t as concentrated as real espresso. Shaped like a plastic cylinder, an Aeropress is cheap, portable, easy to clean, and used to make a single cup of coffee.

Although using an Aeropress to make a cup of coffee is quite convenient and budget-friendly, the taste isn’t as intense, nor is it crema-topped.

Does Espresso Contain More Caffeine Than Coffee? 

A common myth regarding espresso is that it contains more caffeine than drip coffee. However, this isn’t true! An espresso shot contains less caffeine than regular coffee because espresso beans are roasted for longer, which burns away a large amount of caffeine. 

A shot of espresso is about one ounce, which contains 40-75 mg of caffeine, while an 8oz cup of coffee has 85-185 mg of caffeine. Although there’s a higher concentration of caffeine per ounce in espresso, you’re still going to get less caffeine after drinking one shot of espresso compared to one cup of filter coffee.

However, if you’re an espresso junkie and consume more than the recommended 5 shots per day, you’re sure to be hyped up on caffeine! Beware though, too much caffeine can make you sleepy by increasing your stress levels and causing dehydration.

Can You Make Espresso in a Regular Coffee Maker?

You can’t achieve the true flavor of espresso with a regular coffee maker. However, you can make some adjustments and produce a strong, full-bodied cup of coffee that tastes just like an espresso shot. 

Can You Make Regular Coffee in an Espresso Maker?

Professional home coffee maker in modern kitchen

An espresso maker can be used to make a regular cup of coffee; however, it’s not the best way to go about it. Espresso machines work differently since they use finer grounds and pressure to create the desired taste, strength, and flavor. 

If you want to make a regular cup of coffee with your espresso machine, the best thing that you can do is make an americano. Simply make a shot of espresso and top it up with hot water. Add cream and milk to taste.

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