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8 out of 10 French people drink coffee. Whether it's a classic coffee or an espresso, this hot beverage seduces as much by its taste as by its benefits. Caffeine is particularly beneficial for memory, morale and concentration.
However, there are dozens of different coffees, which can be a bit confusing for the less experienced. What is the difference between a classic coffee and an espresso? Here are some answers to help you differentiate between them.
Before discussing the elements that differentiate classic coffee from espresso coffee, we must first review the definition of each of these two types of coffee.
When we talk about classic coffee, we are actually talking about filter coffee. Clean, clear and consistent, filter coffee allows you to appreciate all the flavors and aromas of the ground coffee beans.
It is prepared without the action of pressure, only thanks to the effect of gravity allowing the water to flow through the coffee by means of a filter which gives it its name. The preparation of a filter coffee requires more time. To enjoy a filter coffee, you must :
Espresso coffee is also sometimes called "short coffee". This type of coffee is a beverage made from finely ground coffee beans mixed with water through a pressure system. This system is present on an automatic coffee machine. This type of coffee maker also allows the coffee beans to be ground at the time of preparation so that the aromas are better preserved.
It is possible to recognize an espresso coffee thanks to these three layers:
The foam of espresso coffee is a notable difference between espresso coffee and filter coffee, which does not have any. Because of its particular preparation, espresso coffee offers a layer of cream that is very appreciated and present because of the high pressure used for its preparation, as well as the bicarbonate ions present in the water.
There are different ways to distinguish filter coffee from espresso coffee. Preparation, grinding, color, taste or caffeine content, these two types of coffee are distinguished according to these criteria.
The main difference between filter coffee and espresso is the way they are prepared. While both types of coffee are made from hot water and ground coffee beans, espresso coffee is extracted through pressurized water, while filter coffee is made by filtering hot water through the ground coffee.
Thus, the only pressure used to prepare a filter coffee is that of gravity, while the pressure used for espresso is on average 9 bars. It is therefore much faster to prepare an espresso coffee than a filter coffee, which requires time for the water to pass through the ground coffee and the filter.
Another difference between a filter coffee and an espresso coffee is the type of grind. The size of the coffee beans used differs between the two types of coffee.
For example, it is advisable to use medium ground coffee beans to make coffee in a filter coffee maker. To make an espresso, on the other hand, it is preferable to use a smaller grind to better expose the surface of the ground coffee to the water. However, the beans should not be too fine to avoid blocking the extraction or causing bitter over-extraction. Those who have a manual or electric grinder will be able to enjoy ground coffee on demand and control the fineness of the coffee for a successful espresso. However, it is not easy to find the ideal grind. It may be better to buy a ground coffee that is suitable for espresso preparation.
It is also possible to notice a difference in color between filter coffee and espresso coffee. The espresso coffee is indeed darker than a filter coffee.
In addition, the presence of a foam on top of the espresso is a testament to its nature, while the filter coffee is devoid of it. This frothy crema is the biggest visual and taste difference between the two types of coffee.
Filter coffee and espresso coffee do not have the same caffeine content. Although the intense taste of espresso may lead one to believe that it is the coffee with the most caffeine, this is not the case. Espresso coffee contains only about 63 mg of caffeine, while filter coffee contains about 95 mg for a 240 ml cup. However, espresso is rarely drunk in a 240 ml cup. It is stronger and is usually drunk from a small cup. This means that espresso still contains more caffeine per volume.
It is important to understand that the more water that has passed through the grind, the more caffeinated the drink will be. Thus, if the fast and high pressure preparation allows to recover the aromatic oils contained in the coffee, the phenomenon of infusion used for the filter coffee releases more the caffeine of a grinding. For a good dose of caffeine, it is therefore preferable to drink a filter coffee.
If the type of preparation, the size of the coffee beans or the color of the coffee can differentiate filter coffee from espresso coffee, the most important thing for the consumer is still the taste. Espresso and filter coffee do not offer the same taste experience. However, it is impossible to determine which of these two types of coffee is the best, since it depends on the preferences of each individual.
People who appreciate the strong aromas of coffee will certainly prefer espresso coffee, short and intense, capable of revealing all the subtleties of the coffee's aroma. For more sweetness, others will prefer the filter coffee, more diluted.
The thick and syrupy espresso coffee will also be ideal for those who drink their coffee with milk (latte, cappucino, etc.). For those who prefer black coffee, the filter coffee will be ideal to get a good feel for the different flavour nuances of the drink.
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