Difference between coffee and espresso

What is the difference between coffee and espresso?

You love coffee and also Italian espresso? Bellissimo, so are we! Therefore, in this article, we want to explain in detail the difference between coffee and espresso. It’s best to get a cup of your favorite right away and immerse yourself in the intricacies of coffee preparation.

Coffee lovers know that good espresso beans are needed for a delicious espresso . But what is the difference between an espresso bean and a coffee bean?

contents

• The roast makes the difference
• The caffeine content
• differences in preparation
• Conclusion

The roast makes the difference

To put it bluntly, the espresso bean does not exist! The difference between coffee and espresso lies primarily in the refinement, as we affectionately call the traditional and particularly gentle roasting ” Tostatura Lenta “, and not in the type of beans. Arabica and Robusta beans are used to make both coffee and espresso.

Coffee beans are roasted for a significantly shorter time, while espresso beans are refined slowly and evenly at around 220 degrees in our factory for around 18-20 minutes. This is recognizable at first glance, especially from the significantly darker color of the bean image. For coffee beans, the roasting time is about 12-13 minutes. Espresso beans present themselves with a distinct sheen on their surface. The oils and fats contained in the beans reach the surface during long roasting.

The caffeine content

Espresso is particularly strong and aromatic on the palate thanks to its extraction with comparatively little water. Many coffee drinkers therefore assume that it contains significantly more caffeine.

In Italy, it is simply called “caffè”, but is characterized by half the caffeine content of traditional filter coffee. An important reason for this lies in the preparation. Usually only 25 to 30 ml of liquid are used for an espresso.

But espresso has other advantages in addition to the variety of aromas. It is particularly digestible and easy on the stomach because it contains significantly less acid . This is not only due to the longer roasting, but above all to the shorter contact time between hot water and the ground espresso . You can therefore also enjoy a delicious Italian espresso in the evening after a nice meal.

Incidentally, blends with a high proportion of Arabica, such as our Prestigio or the Barista Gran Crema , are characterized by half the caffeine content compared to Robusta blends.

Tip: Do you have a caffeine intolerance? Then we recommend that you avoid espresso-milk compositions such as cappuccino and latte macchiato in the evening. While the low caffeine content in espresso is broken down after just 30 minutes, the interaction between milk and coffee means that this process is significantly longer.

Alternatively, you can find a selection of decaffeinated compositions in the Cellini Caffè online shop, as beans, ground, in the practical coffee capsule or for your ESE machine. 100% enjoyment without caffeine.

differences in preparation

In addition to the significantly longer roasting of espresso coffee, there is a major difference in the preparation.

• A medium degree of grinding is usually selected for the preparation of filter coffee. Espresso, on the other hand, is always finely ground. The reason for this is that it has comparatively short contact with the hot water in the espresso machine or in the portafilter.
• Traditional filter coffee preparation requires a brewing time of up to 8 minutes. While the maximum brewing time for an espresso is a maximum of 30 seconds at high pressure.
• The brewing temperature for coffee is between 85 and 91 °C and for espresso 88 to 94 °C.
• There are also differences in the preparation technique. Espresso is prepared using the so-called water pressure process in a portafilter or a fully automatic machine. Coffee, on the other hand, in traditional filter coffee machines without pressure.

How do you prepare a perfect espresso? Our experts also answer this question in detail in our coffee blog .

Conclusion

The significant points that distinguish coffee from espresso summarized for you:

1. Espresso beans are roasted longer

Espresso is refined for around 18-20 minutes, while the roasting time for coffee is around 13 minutes, which means that espresso beans are characterized by a significantly darker roast.

2. Caffeine content

Espresso has only half as much caffeine as coffee, since less liquid is used for the preparation, namely a maximum of 30 ml, while a cup of coffee uses between 120 – 160 ml of water. If you were to compare the analog amount of espresso and coffee with each other, the espresso would have significantly more caffeine. The ratio of the amount of water used to the amount of ground coffee is different.

3. Espresso has less acid

There is significantly less acid in the espresso contain. The reason for this is the longer roasting of espresso beans. As a result, the acid (chlorogenic acid) contained in untreated coffee beans is largely broken down. In this way, espresso is also more digestible than coffee. The digestibility is also increased by the preparation, because the contact time between the water and the ground espresso is comparatively short, so fewer irritants and bitter substances can be dissolved.

4. Differences in appearance

Espresso beans are typically dark brown and oily/shiny in appearance, while coffee beans are light and dull.

5. For espresso you need a fine grind

The espresso can only be prepared if the beans are ground very finely. When preparing coffee, a medium to coarse grind should be selected.

6. Different preparation

Espresso is prepared in the pressure process using an espresso machine or a fully automatic machine at a temperature of between 88 – 94 °C under high pressure within 30 seconds, while coffee is brewed at around 85 to 91 °C. The contact time between the coffee and hot water is significantly longer, namely up to 8 minutes.

7. Espresso has a crema:

Due to the high water pressure, a dense golden-brown layer settles on the surface, the so-called crema. It consists of emulsified oils, water vapor bubbles and carbon dioxide (CO2). When brewing filter coffee, on the other hand, no crema is created.

8. Differences in taste

Espresso tastes much stronger and more intense than coffee. Responsible is the longer roasting and the preparation with less water. When extracted with hot water, an intense taste is created.

9. Difference by definition

Espresso is a flavor concentrate, tastes full-bodied and highly concentrated, while coffee is described as an “aqueous solution”, although this does not do coffee justice. Prepared correctly, it is something very fine.

Regardless of whether you prefer coffee or espresso , whether you prefer it strong and aromatic or fine and mild , with us you are guaranteed to find your favorite Cellini for every preparation.

Made for each other

Who does not know it? You are sitting in a café and your coffee specialty comes with a piece of chocolate or even a praline . An aromatic composition that we find difficult to resist.

Combine the extremely fine Cellini Caffè aromas with those from at home melt-in-the-mouth chocolate . This interaction is a delicious taste experience for chocolate lovers and gourmets and of course also gives guests a special treat.

Coffee bean meets cocoa bean – why do the flavors go so well together?

The climatic regions in which chocolate and coffee are grown are very similar and both coffee beans and cocoa beans develop their aromatic taste through roasting. Both have a wide range of flavors. From a fine harmony of sweetness, bitterness to a spicy taste. Dark chocolate in particular often resembles the flavor nuances of an espresso.

The gastronomy sector has also recognized that coffee and chocolate go so well together. There are now many coffee specialties on the menu that combine coffee and chocolate. Be it a refreshing iced coffee, a cappuccino with some cocoa powder or a combination of coffee and white chocolate .

In the Cellini Caffè online shop you will find a selection of Italian sweets with which to perfect your Cellini moment.