Espresso vs regular coffee: what’s the difference?

6 mins read

Curious about what makes an espresso different from other types of brewed coffee? Well, if you are, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we explore the key differences between an espresso and some other popular brewing styles and techniques.

So, if you’re a seasoned coffee lover or just beginning your coffee journey, a better understanding of what sets different coffees apart can really elevate your experience and enjoyment.

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What is espresso?

Originally hailing from Italy, an espresso is a concentrated form of coffee. It’s made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans to produce a strong and flavourful ‘shot’ of coffee, usually about 30ml in volume. Check out our article 'What’s an espresso' for a rich overview of this iconic coffee drink, including insights into its caffeine content, the history of its invention, brewing methods and other unique characteristics.

At NESCAFÉ^® we have a broad range of instant espresso options, including NESCAFÉ^® GOLD Short Black and NESCAFÉ^® Blend 43 Espresso, to deliver the intense café style flavour and quality, you know and enjoy. If you have a Nespresso machine, you can also explore the NESCAFÉ^® Farmers Origins range which deliver a bold and rich espresso experience, showcasing the unique characteristics of each region that they're from.

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What is brewed coffee?

There are various types of brewed coffee, each using its own technique to create and highlight its own unique characteristics.

One of the most popular types is drip brewed coffee. This involves pouring hot water over ground coffee beans in a paper or metal filter. As the water filters through the coffee grounds, it extracts flavours and oils, and then drips down into a pot or carafe. Drip brewed coffee is enjoyed for its smooth and balanced coffee taste.

Check out this interesting article for more on our methods of coffee tasting and the journey from farm to factory.

Another favourite is French press coffee. This method uses a cylindrical glass or metal container with a plunger and mesh filter. French press coffee is often enjoyed because of its full-bodied flavour and rich aroma.

The Moka pot, which essentially is a pot with a vertical tube and a chamber at the bottom is also a popular method of preparation. Here, water is heated in the lower chamber, creating steam pressure that forces the water up the tube and over the coffee grounds. The brewed coffee then drips back down into the pot, resulting in a strong and bold taste.

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Key differences

Understanding the difference between how an espresso is made in relation to other coffees can help you make better choices on what to enjoy, based on your preferences. Let’s explore what’s important to think about in more detail.

Brewing process and time: ‘Brewed’ coffee is typically made using a drip or pour-over method, where water is poured over ground coffee beans, extracting flavours as it passes through the filter.

This process requires some patience as it takes a few minutes. In contrast, making an espresso can be faster, taking just 25-30 seconds to brew. Remember though that it's not just the process that makes it an Espresso, it's also how the beans have been brewed and what type of beans have been chosen.

Taste profile and strength: An espresso is generally considered to be bold, intense and slightly bitter, while other types of brewed coffee are mostly known for being smoother and less concentrated.

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Caffeine content

When it comes to caffeine quantities, which beans are used makes a real difference – with Robusta beans generally having a higher caffeine content than Arabica beans. However, in most cases an espresso will have some notable differences relative to most other types of brewed coffee. Let’s explore how much caffeine you can expect in each serving and how serving size impacts your caffeine intake, remembering of course that individual countries and regions have their own methods of preparation that can also impact on the amount of caffeine per cup.

It is widely accepted that an espresso is known for its strong and concentrated flavour and typically contains more caffeine per volume than other types of brewed coffee. A single shot of espresso, which is usually about 30ml, contains approximately 63 milligrams of caffeine. On the other hand, depending on where in the world you are, 30ml of brewed coffee will generally contain about 12 milligrams of caffeine.

It's important to understand that serving size plays a big part in determining how much caffeine you get overall. So, while a 30ml espresso has a higher caffeine concentration, the smaller serving size means you're getting less caffeine per serving compared to a 300ml coffee made by a different method or piece of equipment. However, because of its smaller size, many espresso drinkers may have multiple shots in a sitting, leading to a higher overall caffeine intake.

Find out more about coffee-strength, including what impacts the caffeine content in coffee.

The important thing to remember is that ultimately, there is not right or wrong, just personal preference. So whether you prefer a bold and robust flavour or a smooth and creamy blend, we encourage you to explore and experiment until you find something to suit you and your own flavour profile.

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