Coffee is the best remedy for waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
Imagine getting up early for work, preparing your coffee, and then suddenly, you just had to stop. You have coffee beans and espresso beans, but you don’t know which one to choose!
This article is for you to get a smooth start for your day with the coffee you deserve. You would never have to stop and think, “is there a difference between coffee beans and espresso beans?”
After reading this article, you will already have the answer!
Now, the last thing you want to do in a morning like that is to rack your mind. If only there were an article that would let you know the difference. Luckily for you, there is!
Contents
Coffee Beans and Espresso Beans, Are they Not the Same?
If you find yourself asking this question, don’t worry, you are not alone!
Many coffee lovers are unaware that coffee beans are different from espresso beans.
To be more forward, no, they are not the same, and the answer lies in their roasting process. To understand their differences better, let’s define them first!
What are Coffee Beans
A coffee bean, despite its name, is not a bean! It is a seed of the Coffee plant from which we get our coffee. Our coffees are usually from its varieties called the Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans are used more commonly than the Robusta. Arabica is known to be sweeter, while Robusta has a richer burnt-like flavor.
Arabica also has lesser caffeine amount with only up to 1.4%, compared to a Robusta’s 4%.
What are Espresso Beans
An espresso drink is made by using a specific process to make the best out of your beans.
“Espresso bean” is just a label to let the consumer know the best way to make your coffee. For most, this merely means using the espresso machine!
Espresso beans are essential when making an espresso. Although substitutes can be used, they would not have the full flavor of the drink.
Espresso beans are made to have the richness of its taste explored when brewed as an espresso.
The Beans’ Types of Roasts
- Light – Roasting a bean would remove some of its caffeine content. Since light-roasted beans are roasted relatively short, they have the most robust caffeine. They have a sweeter taste and lighter color.
- Medium – Medium-roasted beans have a more balanced flavor compared to the light-roasted beans. They are also less acidic and exhibit a more powerful aroma.
- Medium-dark – Coffee enthusiasts favor Medium-dark beans as the beans for their espressos. For many, the medium-dark bean is a perfect blend of bittersweet taste that is just right.
- Dark – Dark-roasted beans have the unique charred flavor that many coffee lovers find. It has a full and smoky taste, which is too strong for most. Despite this, dark-roasted coffees have less caffeine and acidity.
So What Exactly is the Difference Between Coffee Beans and Espresso Beans?
The difference between an espresso bean and a coffee bean is not their type of bean. They mainly differ in the way the Espresso is processed.
This distinct process makes the Espresso have more flavor than regular coffee. With that in mind, let’s explore their differences through their most noticeable features.
Process
True Espresso needs two essential factors to be fulfilled for it to have the best taste.
First, it needs a higher pressure than usual for it to brew correctly. Lastly, it has to be ground finely, something regular coffee grinders cannot do.
Caffeine Content
People usually assume Espresso to have more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee.
This is only true if you would only consider the concentration of caffeine on each drink. Espresso, however, is served in shots, so in total, it has less caffeine.
Taste
Espresso is known to have a richer taste than because of its more intense process. It has a more apparent roasted flavor, which many would describe as a strong flavor.
Preparing Espresso
In preparing your Espresso, you have to remember the two things that make it an espresso!
The pressure and the finely ground beans that allows for its flavor to be fully released. To achieve this, you have to use a grinder that can finely grind your beans.
After that, it is crucial to put the temperature on your machine to a higher one, about 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure you do not miss doing these, and you’re guaranteed to have a nice shot of Espresso.
Can’t I use Coffee Beans to Make Espresso?
Technically, you can make an espresso using coffee beans; however, its flavor wouldn’t be the same.
The rich and robust character of an authentic espresso will be lost when using regular coffee beans. It would be better to use your regular beans for a more straightforward coffee.
Espresso beans are usually highly-roasted to create a darker, fuller flavor. In using other beans and using the process in making Espresso, it might end up having a pale taste. Light-roasted beans are sweeter than those that are roasted longer, so the taste of Espresso would be lost.
Espresso beans are labeled as such to let the consumers know it is the best beans for making Espresso.
With actual espresso beans, you would be able to enjoy the unique roasted taste of Espresso fully.
So, if you want a stronger flavor, better take espresso beans next time you shop.
So Is There a Difference Between Coffee Beans and Espresso Beans? Yes, but it is Not What You Think.
With all of that information, I think we can finally answer this question confidently: is there a difference between coffee beans and espresso beans?
Yes, there is, and it is mainly on their brewing process. Espresso requires it to be high pressured and grounded more finely.
Regular coffee beans, however, do not necessarily need this process.
Now, I think you can finally have a smooth morning with your Espresso or regular coffee on hand.