In this post, we’ll explore the differences between espresso and coffee beans. So put on your sweatpants, grab a glass of rose, and join me as we dive into the world of caffeine!
Table of Contents
Are espresso beans and coffee beans the same?
Espresso beans and coffee beans start out exactly the same. What differentiates them is the time and temperature at which they’re roasted. Beans used for espresso are roasted much longer and at a higher temperature vs. beans used for coffee.
To make matters more confusing, you can make a shot of espresso using any roast of beans you want. And you can also use espresso beans to make coffee.
For example, along with classic espresso, Starbucks sells Blonde® Espresso. Blonde espresso is made from lighter roasts1 or medium-roasts and is not as intense, flavor-wise, as regular espresso.
| Espresso beans | Coffee beans | |
|---|---|---|
| Roast Level | Dark roast | Light to medium roast |
| Roast Temp | 460º to 470º F (238-243º C) | 356º to 460º F (180º to 243º C) |
| Roast Time | 10-15 minutes | 7-10 minutes |
| Flavor | Rich, smokey, thick, intense | Notes of fruit, cocoa, wine |
| Caffeine | 30 mg per ounce | 136 mg in 12oz cup |
| Grind Size | Fine grind | Coarser grind |
| Brew Method | Espresso machine, Moka pot | Drip, pour-over, french press |
Espresso Beans vs Coffee Beans
I’m not good at talking about flavor profiles, tasting notes, and things like body, mouth-feel, blah blah. Here are what I consider the most notable differences between espresso beans and ordinary coffee beans. (So this isn’t a complete list.)
Roast Level
One of the main differences between espresso beans and coffee beans is the roast level. Beans for making espresso are roasted at 460º to 470º F (238 to 243º C) for 10 to 15 minutes. This results in a bean with a dark, oily sheen.
Beans used to make coffee are typically roasted at 356º to 460º F (180º to 223º C) for 7 to 10 minutes. They usually stay within the light-to-medium roast range since this retains their unique flavor characteristics.
Grind Size
Espresso beans are ground into a fine powder, while coffee beans are ground more coarsely. There are a ton of methods to make coffee, some requiring a unique grind size.
As a rule of thumb, coffee grounds will always be coarser than espresso grounds. If you’re looking to up your grind game, you’ll want to invest in a burr grinder.
These grinders are more expensive than blade grinders, but they produce a consistent espresso grind. Here are a few entry-level coffee grinders that I highly recommend:
Brewing Techniques
There are different brewing techniques for espresso and coffee. Espresso is generally made with an espresso machine, while coffee has several brewing methods such as drip, pour-over, French press, Chemex, etc.
| Brewing Process | Espresso | Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso Machine (true espresso) | x | |
| Moka Pot | x | |
| French Press | x | x |
| Chemex | x | |
| Pour Over | x | |
| Coffee Machine (home drip) | x |
Espresso is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground, compact coffee beans. To make true espresso shots, you need specialized equipment. A coffee shop-grade machine, like a La Marzocco, can cost upwards of $20,000.
Higher-end at-home options range from $500 to $1,000. I recently invested in a Breville Pro that I bought used on Facebook Marketplace for $500.
In my experience, you get what you pay for with espresso machines. Avoid the cheaper $50-$100 options on Amazon, as those won’t and can’t produce authentic espresso.
Moka pots are also an excellent option for making espresso-esque coffee. They cost about $20 on Amazon and are great for brewing small, intense portions of coffee, similar in strength and flavor to espresso.
Taste
Espresso and coffee also vary quite a bit in their flavor profiles. A shot of espresso has a bold, somewhat bitter flavor, while regular coffee has a lighter, more subtle taste.
Think of it like this – sipping red wine is like having a cup of coffee. It has a smooth, complex flavor. Taking a shot of whiskey is like having a shot of espresso. It’s intense and packs a strong flavor punch in a small serving. You can tell the espresso was made with dark roast beans.
Caffeine Content
A cup of coffee has more caffeine than 2 shots of espresso. A light roast cup of coffee will have more caffeine than a dark roast cup. So, if you need a morning pick-me-up, grab a cup of light or medium roast coffee.
A light roast coffee will have substantially more caffeine than a double shot of espresso. Most caffeine is burned away during the roasting process of dark roast coffees.
Rule of thumb: The darker the roast, the less caffeine it has. Since espresso is super dark, it has little caffeine.
| Espresso | Coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 30 mg per shot | 136 mg in a 12-ounce cup |
Espresso has Crema (Coffee Doesn’t)
Another real difference between espresso and coffee is the existence of crema. Crema is the thin layer of gold-colored foam that sits on top of freshly brewed espresso. Coffee doesn’t have crema.
What’s in Crema?
- CO2 gas: Released from the coffee grounds during brewing, creating bubbles that form the crema.
- Natural oils & lipids: Arise during the extraction process, giving the crema its rich, creamy texture.
- Solubles: Sugars and organic acids contribute to the flavor and aroma of the crema.
Espresso Bean Recommendations
I really like these guys if you’re looking for some espresso bean recommendations. My personal favorite is Volcanica.
Coffee Bean Recommendations
And here are some beans I really like for brewing everyday coffee. These are specialty coffee roasters, so their beans cost more than those in your local grocery store.
You can read my full review of Spirit Animal Coffee here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?
No, espresso doesn’t have more caffeine than coffee. In fact, coffee has higher caffeine content than espresso. A 12-ounce cup of light-roast coffee has around 136 mg of caffeine, while a double espresso has about 60 mg of caffeine.
Can I use coffee beans for espresso?
Yes, you can use coffee beans for espresso and vice versa. For example, Starbucks has a Blonde Espresso roast, which is equivalent to a medium roast coffee.
Are espresso beans stronger than coffee beans?
Espresso beans are stronger in flavor vs. regular coffee beans. But coffee beans have more caffeine content than darker roast coffees, aka, espresso beans.
Can you use espresso beans to make regular coffee?
Yes, you can use espresso beans to brew regular coffee. Espresso coffee beans are simply darkly roasted coffee beans. So coffee made with espresso beans will be extremely rich and smoky in flavor.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, coffee and espresso beans are exactly the same when kids. Coffee beans spend their formative years weaving baskets and cross-breeding exotic fruits in a commune in Oregon. Espresso beans run away from home at 7 and spend their formative years apprenticing as a blacksmith at a traveling circus with headquarters in the Bronx.
