What Exactly is an Espresso? What makes Espresso different from coffee?

You're gulping it daily in your lattes or macchiatos, but what exactly is an espresso?

You're familiar with espresso as caffeine in your morning latte or cappuccino, but what is espresso? It's not exactly coffee, is it? Yet it's so similar. So, let's delve into what's powering your morning cup of coffee.

History of the Espresso Machine

We attribute the invention of the espresso machine to Angelo Moriondo, who patented this type of coffee maker machine in 1884. However, Moriondo's machine was only capable of brewing larger quantities of coffee.

It was Luigi Bezzera who created the single-serve espresso machine in 1903 and subsequently sold the patent to Desiderio Pavoni. Bezzera and Pavoni collaborated to develop a modern espresso machine similar to what we use today.

After the Milan Fair in 1906, the espresso machine became widely available for commercial use. In short, today's coffee drinkers owe a debt of gratitude to Italy for giving us our favorite way to jumpstart our mornings.

How Is Espresso Different from Coffee?

If you're like most hustlers, you've probably enjoyed espresso in many ways, including straight-up and in lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, cortados, and espresso martinis. But what exactly is espresso, and how does it differ from regular brewed coffee? Read on to find out:

Espresso and coffee are not technically two different things—espresso is a type of coffee. Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee drink prepared using a 1:2 ratio of finely ground compacted coffee and water. (An espresso caffeine content is approximately 65 milligrams of caffeine). An espresso machine forces water through the grounds under intense pressure (7-10 bars of pressure). A well-prepared espresso should possess intense flavors without tasting burnt or excessively bitter.

A perfect espresso shot will also have a foamy layer on top called the crema. During espresso brewing, carbon dioxide — a byproduct of the brewing process — is injected into the brewed beverage, forming tiny bubbles that rise to the top. These small bubbles are the crema. Espresso can be served straight-up as single or double shots (doppio) and with water or milk in drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, and macchiatos, to name a few.

When most people say “coffee” in the U.S., they refer to drip or filter coffee, which is less concentrated than espresso. Drip coffee typically has a 1:16 ratio of ground coffee to water and is not brewed under pressure. While espresso beans are typically ground more finely than those for drip coffee, it's a misconception that one must use specific “espresso” beans to brew espresso when any roast can be used.

Are Espresso Beans Different from Coffee Beans?

Most coffee beans available on the market are either Robusta or Arabica beans. This remains accurate for all kinds of coffee beverages, including espresso. Espresso beans undergo more roasting and finer grinding. Their brewing process is done in an espresso machine or Aeropress.

When you're at the grocery store or checking out the Hustle Coffee website, and you come across bags labeled “espresso,” it's important to note that the espresso label doesn't indicate the type of beans. The distinction between espresso and “normal coffee” lies not in the bean itself but in the roasting and brewing methods used for the bean.

Here are the distinctions between espresso and “normal coffee”:

Roast: Espresso is roasted longer, generally past the second fracture, so it has a toasted and much deeper taste. The beans are likewise baked for longer, eliminating a great deal of the acidity while releasing much more oiliness. This develops a much heavier, fuller feeling in the mouth. Light and medium-dark roasts are typically utilized for drip coffee. That's what you think of when considering conventional “American” coffee.

Grind Size: Espresso grinds are usually finer than other types of coffee grinds. This is because making espresso involves hot water being forced through tightly packed grounds. The coffee grounds must be very fine, similar to the texture of fine sand, because the water is in contact with them for a shorter period.

Brewing: To prepare your regular cup of coffee, you have several options, such as using a French press, drip, percolator, and other brewing methods. However, making espresso requires a specific brewing process. You will need an espresso machine or aeropress to create a concentrated shot of espresso, typically 1-2oz in volume. It's important to note that you can't make authentic espresso in a regular coffee pot because the extraction process requires high pressure to work effectively.

Taste: Espresso has a rich flavor compared to drip coffee because of its unique roasting, grinding, and brewing process. Generally, it has a less acidic and bolder taste, with a well-rounded and full-bodied finish. It is often described as exquisite due to its strong flavor. The roasting process extracts more oils from the beans, producing a heavier mouthfeel.

Is Espresso Stronger than Coffee?

Yes. Espresso is more concentrated than drip coffee and tends to have a more robust flavor. A cup of coffee's strength depends on the concentration of coffee solids dissolved in water. In this case, espresso is up to seven times more potent than a cup of drip coffee of the same volume. Of course, if you mix espresso with milk (as in a cappuccino, latte, and other drinks) and/or with water (as in an Americano), it will taste less intense than a straight shot of coffee.

Can You Make Espresso with Regular Ground Coffee?

If you have an espresso maker, you can technically make a shot of espresso at home with pre-ground coffee intended for drip brewing. However, we wouldn't recommend it. The grind meant for drip coffee is much coarser than an espresso grind, and the result will likely be a weaker, less flavorful brew lacking that lovely crema. However, you can buy whole-bean coffee and grind it fresh for a great at-home espresso.

You can also use any coffee roast to brew a tasty espresso, not just dark roast beans. So feel free to experiment with a range of coffee varietals and roasts until you find your perfect espresso match.

Types of Espresso Shots

Blonde Espresso vs. Regular Espresso

Regular espresso is made from darkly roasted beans, as we discussed earlier. The brew produced will be heavy and bitter. Blonde espresso is a term used for marketing purposes, but it essentially refers to an espresso bean roasted on the lighter end of the scale. Due to its shorter roasting period, blonde espresso will be lighter on the palate and less bitter.

Double Espresso

A double espresso, otherwise known as a double shot or doppio, is essentially two shots. You brew two instead of brewing one shot for the same cup of coffee. However, a double espresso is not the only type of pure espresso drink that you can enjoy.

Ristretto

One of the most popular ways to consume an espresso is through a ristretto. It sounds fancy, but it's a more potent, more concentrated single shot of espresso.

Try an Americano—an espresso mixed with hot water to reduce the intensity. If an Americano is still too strong for you, consider trying other coffee drinks that have espresso as their base. From lattes to frothy cappuccinos to iced caramel macchiatos, there are countless ways to enjoy your espresso. Here are some of them.

Popular Drinks Made with Espresso

Espresso: A classic and straightforward option consisting of one or two shots of creamy, thick espresso, enjoyed independently.

Americano: There's a clear distinction between an Americano and a cup of coffee in Europe. Drip coffee, favored by Americans, is not commonly consumed in Europe. To cater to tourists' preferences, a shot of espresso is mixed with hot water to mimic the taste of drip coffee.

Latte: Another timeless choice, lattes consist of a shot of espresso topped with steamed milk. You can enhance the sweetness with syrups like vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut.

Cappuccino: Similar to a latte, a cappuccino features more foam topping. The small amount of foam resting above the milk makes delicate latte art designs possible.

Macchiato: A macchiato offers the perfect balance of espresso and milk for those seeking a drink with a less bitter aftertaste. Unlike the caramel-drizzled beverages in coffee shops, a classic macchiato is simply a shot of espresso with a dollop of warm milk.

Affogato: Affogato is a combination of dessert and post-dinner drink. It consists of a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over the top—delicious.

Martini: While not the typical way to enjoy espresso, we can't deny the deliciousness of espresso martinis. Prepare one of these as an after-dinner drink.

What Isn't Espresso

Some brewing methods are occasionally referred to as espresso, even though they don't precisely meet our criteria. The question of whether they can be considered “authentic espresso” is only significant because the advice for brewing espresso doesn't really pertain to these methods.

The initial one is a moka pot, also known as a Bialetti or stovetop espresso maker. It does indeed utilize steam, resembling a miniature version of an espresso machine from the early 20th century, but it lacks sufficient pressure to produce the same rich, potent coffee as the espresso served at your local coffee shop.

An AeroPress is sometimes referred to as an espresso maker. This is clearly stated on the box. While an AeroPress does rely on manual pressure, even with a very strong recipe, the coffee it produces is not as strong as that made by an espresso machine. Additionally, an AeroPress does not require nearly as much pressure. Ultimately, we find that using AeroPress produces a brew that is more similar in strength to filter coffee.

The Conclusive Difference

The difference between espresso coffee and “normal coffee” is primarily in the preparation method rather than the beans. Espresso is not a term used for a specific type of coffee bean—instead, it is a small, concentrated cup of strong coffee that is quickly made from finely ground coffee beans using very high water pressure. It is typically made using a dark roast, finer grind, and high pressure to produce a concentrated one- to two-ounce shot of coffee. Whether you enjoy your cups of coffee mixed with water or milk, it gives the same energy boost.

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