how is espresso different from regular coffee
How is Espresso Different from Regular Coffee?
When comparing espresso with drip coffee, the first thing that comes to mind is the brewing time. The espresso is brewed for a shorter duration and moreover, the coffee beans used are finer than those in drip coffee.
Did You Know?
It is believed that coffee has its origins in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee plant, and its cultivation started around the 9th century. Whereas, espresso coffee is said to have its beginnings in the Arabian Peninsula in the 16th century.Espresso Coffee
Regular Drip Coffee
Serving Size
♦ Espresso coffee is always served in shots of approximately 1-1.5 ounces. The serving size is usually a double shot, which is equivalent to 2-2.5 ounces of espresso.
♦ A regular coffee is usually served in an 8-ounce cup which is substantially more than an espresso shot.
Caffeine Content
♦ The amount of caffeine present in espresso is higher per unit volume compared to regular coffee. 1 fluid ounce of espresso contains as much size as 64 mg caffeine. However, if you consider per serving, espresso has a lower amount of caffeine than regular coffee.
♦ An 8-ounce cup of regular coffee provides anywhere between 95 to 200 mg of caffeine.
Coffee Beans
♦ Coffee beans are finely ground when making espresso coffee. The texture of ground beans in espresso is very similar to powdered sugar.
♦ The coffee beans used in regular coffee are coarser than in espresso coffee.
Texture
♦ The espresso has a thicker consistency than regular coffee. The espresso shot has a thick, creamy smooth layer on top. Due to its thicker texture, espresso is often preferred over the regular one.
♦ Regular coffee is lighter and has a substantially thinner texture.
Brewing Time
♦ The espresso coffee is brewed for much lesser time - 20-30 seconds. That is why, it is regarded as one of the easiest methods of brewing coffee.
♦ The brewing time for regular coffee is much longer - 4 to 6 minutes.
Brewing Method
♦ When making espresso, nearly boiling water under a pressure of up to 15 atmospheres is pushed through finely compressed coffee beans. It is brewed for less than half a minute and a dark brown thick liquid is then separated from ground beans. The thick liquid when poured in a container, has a small amount of froth on top.
♦ Compared to espresso, this is a slower brewing method in which boiling water is allowed to drip through ground coffee. The water percolates through the coarsely ground beans and is then collected in a container. Coffee brewing devices such as the French press and the drip filter coffee makers are commonly used to carry out this process.
Flavor
♦ A shot of espresso is highly concentrated and has a strong, intense flavor that you may not like. The more concentrated dose of caffeine in espresso may cause heart palpitations and jitters.
♦ As aforementioned, regular coffee has a lengthier brewing time, which means the hot water remains in contact with coarser ground beans for a longer duration. So, the resulting coffee has a flavor that is more satisfying and fulfilling.