What is the Difference Between Espresso Beans and Coffee Beans

You may notice that espresso beans show up a lot when you look through the many types of coffee beans at your local grocery store or on the internet. A lot of people don’t know the difference between coffee beans and espresso beans and think they are pretty much the same. But espresso beans are only used for making espresso. There are some small differences between these beans that make them unique.

We’ve compiled a nifty guide on the differences between espresso and coffee beans, for those of you who are still struggling to wrap your head around them. Find out what the main differences are between coffee and espresso by reading on. You can make the best coffee with the right bag of beans if you know what to look for.

What Are Coffee Beans?

Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee cherry that have been cleaned, dried, and roasted. Coffee beans are very different depending on where they come from, how they were grown, how they were processed, and how dark they were roasted. The tastes can be fruity, nutty, floral, chocolatey, and more. There are different levels of roasting, from light to extra dark, which bring out different flavors. You can grind coffee beans and use them for a lot of different ways to make coffee, like drip coffee, cold brew, pour-over, and more.

What Are Espresso Beans?

The seeds of the coffee cherry are what are known as espresso beans. These beans are roasted at a high temperature for an extended period of time to extract oils and produce a concentrated, rich flavor. A deep and consistent espresso flavor is achieved by selecting, processing, and roasting espresso beans, shot after shot.

Key Difference Between Espresso Beans and Coffee Beans

There is some difference between coffee beans and espresso beans, even though they both come from the same green coffee bean inside a coffee cherry. Sometimes the coffee cherry seeds are turned into espresso beans, but not all of the coffee cherry seeds that are turned into espresso beans. Know this:

Roast Level: Coffee beans are roasted to many different levels, ranging from light to extra dark.

Espresso beans are typically roasted to a dark or extra-dark level, as previously mentioned. The complex and bold flavor and full-bodied texture of espresso are attributed to the intense roast, which can include smoke, caramel, berry, and spice, depending on the variety and growing location.

Brewing Method: Coffee beans can be ground into many different sizes and used with various brewing methods, including drip coffee, French press, cold brew, pour-over, and more. As the name suggests, espresso beans are prepared and ground in a way that makes them perfect for making espresso. For stovetop espresso, the grind is medium fine, and for machine espresso, it is fine. This way, the water that is forced through the grounds can make the most contact with them.

Flavor: There are many different flavors of coffee beans, ranging from delicate and refined to rich and bold and everything in between. Espresso beans, on the other hand, are specifically prepared to yield a consistent, bold flavor.

Conclusion

The only thing that is different is the coffee beans. When specialty roasters write “espresso blend” or “drip blend,” they’re just describing the way they think the coffee will taste best. People have different tastes when it comes to coffee, so do what you want and make coffee the way you like.