Difference between coffee and espresso

Unterschied zwischen Kaffee und Espresso

Despite the fact that an espresso generally has a more intense flavor than regular filter coffee, both are based on the same raw product, namely the coffee bean. The essential difference lies in the processing and composition of the beans. Espresso beans are often part of mixtures, so-called blends. The roasting time for espresso is longer than for coffee, which creates the stronger body. An Omni Roast coffee refers to a roast that is designed to be suitable for all preparation methods, from espresso to filter coffee, thus offering versatile usability for coffee lovers.

The Subtle Difference Between Coffee and Espresso Roasts

Coffee is not just coffee. The way coffee beans are roasted largely determines their taste, aroma, and even their digestibility. Particularly between coffee and espresso, there are significant differences in roasting that are noticeable both visually and in terms of taste.

1. Color Differences: Dark versus Light

During the roasting process, the beans go through various stages of discoloration. Espresso beans are generally roasted longer than traditional coffee beans. The result? A darker, almost black-brown color, often accompanied by a slight oily sheen. In contrast, coffee beans retain a lighter, often medium-brown color and appear duller.

2. Taste and Aroma: The Secret of Essential Oils

The intensity and duration of roasting not only affect the color of the beans but also their taste. The longer roasting of espresso beans releases more essential oils. These oils are crucial for the characteristic, strong taste of espresso and significantly contribute to the formation of the perfect crema. The crema is that fine layer of foam that crowns a well-prepared espresso and is indispensable for many coffee lovers.

3. Health Aspects: Chlorogenic Acid and Digestibility

Another notable difference between coffee and espresso roasts is the chlorogenic acid content in the beans. Chlorogenic acid is a natural compound found in coffee beans that can be difficult for some people to digest. The prolonged roasting of espresso beans significantly reduces the chlorogenic acid content. This means that espresso is often perceived as more digestible than traditional coffee, especially for people with sensitive stomachs.

Water Added After Roasting

Due to the more intensive roasting of espresso, more water is lost, and the bean loses weight. This also makes espresso more expensive than coffee, as the water loss reduces the manufacturers' price and profit margin. The misconception that the increased energy causes the higher costs is widespread. However, this is not the case. Large roasters have recently found a simple trick to maximize their profit anyway. They simply add the lost water back after roasting, and the bean gains volume and weight. Until now, only the addition of maltodextrin, i.e., sugar, was known.

Clear Regulations from the Legislature

The legislator has stipulated how much the water content in roasted coffee is limited to, and the information must be clearly visible to the customer on the packaging. For roasted coffee, i.e., ground or unground, roasted green coffee, a maximum water content of 50 grams per kilogram is permitted. This can be read in the "Ordinance on Coffee, Coffee and Chicory Extracts". But how do manufacturers manage to adhere exactly to these values?

Coffee beans may contain up to 5% water
To achieve this precise result, the freshly roasted beans are sprayed with cold steam for cooling. Small roasters do this with air, so when you buy supermarket coffee, you are also always buying water and paying for it accordingly.

Difference in Preparation
With hot water under pressure of approx. 9 bar, the coffee grounds in the portafilter are brewed. For about 25 seconds, espresso then flows into the preheated and thick-walled cup, forming the beautiful crema from the released coffee oils on top. Typically, one serving corresponds to an amount of 30 milliliters.

Coffee beverages can be prepared according to the enthusiast's taste. The types are truly diverse, and everyone has to find their preference. The hand filter, the classic coffee machine, the espresso maker, or the Aeropress. The hot water usually runs through the ground coffee powder and produces a delicious coffee or one of the many coffee specialties.

In our online shop, you will find coffee beans for filter coffee and espresso beans.

 

Conclusion: More Than Just a Matter of Taste

The differences between coffee and espresso roasts go far beyond taste. They influence the color, aroma, texture, and even the digestibility of the beverage. Although both can be made from the same beans, the end products are unique in their character thanks to the different roasting techniques. It is therefore worthwhile to try both variants and find your own favorite.