What is the difference between coffee and espresso?
Do you love coffee and Italian espresso? Bellissimo, we do too! That's why we want to explain the difference between coffee and espresso in detail in this article. The best thing to do is to get yourself a cup of your favorite and delve into the finer points of coffee preparation.
Coffee lovers know that for a delicious espresso you need good espresso beans But what is the difference between an espresso bean and a coffee bean?
Contents
- Roasting makes the difference
- The caffeine content
- Differences in preparation
- Conclusion
Roasting makes the difference
To be clear, there is no such thing as an espresso bean! 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 bean. Arabica and Robusta beans are used to make both coffee and espresso.
Coffee beans are roasted for a much shorter time, while espresso beans are slowly and evenly refined at around 220 degrees in our factory for around 18-20 minutes. This is noticeable at first glance, especially in the significantly darker color of the beans. The roasting time for coffee beans is around 12-13 minutes. Espresso beans have a distinct shine on their surface. The oils and fats contained in the beans come to the surface during the long roasting process.
The caffeine content
Espresso has a particularly strong and aromatic taste on the palate because it is extracted using relatively little water. Many coffee lovers therefore assume that it contains significantly more caffeine.
In Italy it is simply called “caffè”, but it has half the caffeine content of traditional filter coffee. One important reason for this is the preparation. Usually only 25 to 30 ml of liquid are used for an espresso.
But espresso has other advantages besides the variety of flavors. 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 the hot water and the ground espresso . You can therefore also enjoy a delicious Italian espresso in the evening after a nice meal.
By the way, blends with a high Arabica content, such as our Prestigio or Barista Gran Crema, have half the caffeine content of 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 takes significantly longer.
Alternatively, you can find a selection of decaffeinated compositions in the Cellini Caffè Shop in the Cellini Caffè Shop , as beans, ground, in a practical capsule or for your ESE machine. 100% enjoyment without any caffeine.
Differences in preparation
In addition to the significantly longer roasting time of espresso coffee, a significant difference lies in the preparation.
- A medium grind is usually chosen for making filter coffee. Espresso, on the other hand, is always ground finely. The reason for this is that it has a relatively short contact with the hot water in the espresso machine or portafilter.
- Traditional filter coffee preparation requires a brewing time of up to 8 minutes. While the maximum brewing time for an espresso is 30 seconds at high pressure.
- For coffee, the brewing temperature 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 steam pressure method in a portafilter or a fully automatic machine. Coffee, on the other hand, is prepared in traditional filter coffee machines without pressure.
Conclusion
The significant points that distinguish coffee from espresso summarized for you:
1. Espresso beans are roasted longer
Espresso is roasted for around 18-20 minutes, while coffee is roasted for around 13 minutes, which means that espresso beans are characterized by a much darker roast.
2. Caffeine content
Espresso has only half as much caffeine as coffee, because less liquid is used to prepare it, namely a maximum of 30 ml, while between 120 and 160 ml of water is used for a cup of coffee. If you were to compare the same amount of espresso and coffee, 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 acidity
Espresso contains significantly less acid. The reason for this is that espresso beans are roasted for longer. This breaks down a large part of the acid (chlorogenic acid) contained in unrefined coffee beans. This also makes espresso 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 released.
4. Differences in appearance
Espresso beans usually have a dark brown and oily/shiny appearance, while coffee beans are light and matte.
5. For espresso you need a fine grind
Espresso preparation is only successful if the beans are ground very finely. When preparing coffee, a medium to coarse grind should be selected.
6. Different preparation
Espresso is prepared using the steam pressure process with the help of an espresso machine or a fully automatic machine at a temperature 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 thick golden-brown layer forms on the surface, the so-called crema. It consists of emulsified oils, water vapor bubbles and carbon dioxide (CO2). When brewing filter coffee, however, no crema is created.
8. Differences in taste
Espresso tastes much stronger and more intense than coffee. This is due to the longer roasting and preparation with less water. Extraction with hot water creates an intense taste.
9. Difference by definition
Espresso is a concentrated flavor, tastes full-bodied and highly concentrated, while coffee is described as a “watery solution,” but this does not do coffee justice. When prepared correctly, it is something very fine.
No matter whether you prefer coffee or espresso , whether you prefer it strong and aromatic or fine and mild , you are guaranteed to find your favorite Cellini for every preparation.
Made for Each Other
Who hasn't experienced it? You're sitting in a café and your coffee speciality comes with a piece of chocolate or even a praline . An aromatic composition that we find hard to resist.
Why not combine the extremely fine Cellini Caffè aromas with those of delicately melting chocolate at home ? This combination is a delicious taste experience for chocolate lovers and gourmets and of course also brings special joy to guests.
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 and bitterness to spicy taste. Dark chocolate in particular often resembles the flavor nuances of an espresso.
The gastronomy industry has also recognised that coffee and chocolate go so well together. There are now many coffee specialities on the menu that combine coffee and chocolate. Be it a refreshing iced coffee, a cappuccino with a little cocoa powder or a combination of coffee with white chocolate .
In the Cellini Caffè Shop you will find a large selection of Italian sweets with which you can perfect your Cellini moment.
