Espresso vs Coffee Beans: Is there a Real Difference?

Some of us usually get confused between espresso beans and coffee beans. Many of us don’t even know that what is the difference between espresso and coffee beans. Actually, both are the same. But if they are the same then why these beans are labeled differently? In reality, the beans are the same, the only difference is that these beans are brewed differently. Labeling beans as espresso or drip is nothing more than a recommendation from the roaster on how to bring out the flavor of the beans.

We believe the writing on the bag shouldn’t influence how you brew. It’s a recommendation meant to guide you, but it’s ultimately up to you to experiment and find that ideal brew. While it might require some finessing to dial in a single origin for espresso, we think the reward is well worth the effort—add some steamed milk and you’ll get a decadent, dessert-like treat. We enjoy pulling espresso shots that taste like a rich blueberry cobbler using a delicious natural processed coffee.

Espresso Vs Coffee

So, how did espresso beans come about? When it was first popularized, coffee farms didn’t have the refinement of cultivating that we see today—and when the lesser quality beans were brewed as espresso it was painfully noticeable. When you put beans under pressure, as you do with espresso, the flavor profile becomes more intense, sort of like the difference between a blueberry tea and a spoonful of blueberry jam. In an effort to create a consistent flavor profile, roasters would use a darker roast to produce smoky, caramelized sugar notes, as we see in an Italian roast. This roasting method, however, meant that the nuanced flavors were no longer detectable. Nowadays, specialty roasters source high-quality beans to make this method of masking taste not necessary. Roasters can experiment with lighter roasts the enhance the flavor of the coffee and share its complexity.

Brewed coffee, whether it’s from a standard drip brewer or pour-over set-up like Chemex, tends to produce less intense flavors than espresso making it more forgiving when used to brew a variety of coffee qualities. You may also find that brewed coffee is a bit easier to control the extraction and therefore the flavor of the cup you produce. Many find that single origins, beans sourced from one location, are easier to brew in this fashion. Single origins typically have more delicate flavors, which makes it easy to under or over-extract making them often difficult to brew with for espresso. Think of it as a target, getting a great cup of brewed coffee is like hitting the board, and a great cup of espresso-like hitting the bullseye.

It’s not impossible, but it will take a bit more time and dedication. 

Conclusion

There is no difference between espresso and coffee beans. When specialty roasters write “espresso blend” or “drip blend,” it’s just the brew method roasters believe will make the flavor profile really shine. Coffee is a matter of personal taste and preference.

Irene’s Coffee Company is the One-Stop | One-Roof | One-Hub Single platform for Saeco Machines across Pan-India. Irene’s Coffee Company is the Authorized Importer, Seller & Service provider for all Saeco Machines across Pan-India.

Editorial Curation by Mr. Roshan Sajan & written by Ms. Janhvi Kataria.