Coffee Beans vs Espresso Beans
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world today. Many people who are unfamiliar with coffee often mistake coffee beans and espresso beans.
Basically, there are authentic coffee beans but there are no exact espresso beans. This is because coffee beans produce both coffee and espresso. However, there is a difference, not in the beans, but in the method and preparation that results in two completely different products.
Coffee beans are seeds of the coffee “cherry” that a coffee plant produces. There are usually two beans inside a cherry. The most famous coffee beans are named Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. Out of the three, Arabica and Robusta are the most common types of beans.
Both coffee and espresso are products of these beans. There is a specific blend or recipe to produce a coffee beverage or espresso with a unique taste. The main difference between coffee beans that will result in a coffee beverage and the beans that will result in an espresso beverage is the blend, the roast, the grind, and the concentration.
Coffee beans intended for coffee are often roasted for a specific duration. After roasting, the beans are ground into a coarse texture.
Beans intended for espresso have different methods of preparations. “Espresso beans,” as one might call them, require a longer roasting time and a higher temperature (usually 450 degrees). The longer time and higher roasting temperature help release the oil inside the beans and contribute to a bolder, richer, and more concentrated flavor. After roasting, these beans are ground into a very fine powder.
Beans for coffee often have a medium or balanced concentration of bitterness. However, beans for espresso have a very bitter taste, especially if the espresso is concentrated or without additional ingredients. The bitterness can be countered by adding milk or adding water.
Espresso is produced with pressure while coffee in itself is produced without pressure. However, the term “espresso,” in itself, refers to a method and not a specific type of bean.
Another distinction is the preparation. Espresso is usually made with specialized machines aptly called “espresso machines.” Coffee can also be made by an appliance called a coffee maker. However, both machines produce different levels of flavor and concentration.
There is also a difference in the ambiance and size of the beverage. Espresso is credited with a café-like or relaxing ambiance while coffee provides a more practical and workplace attribute. Espresso also connotes a more personalized experience.
Espresso is also amiable in many sizes and is usually prepared by a barista, a person who specializes in making coffee and other caffeinated products.
Summary:
1. There is no basic difference between coffee beans and espresso beans. Coffee beans do exist, and they are beans from the coffee plant that can be used for either coffee or espresso production. “Espresso,” as a term, is used to describe a specific method and preparation for a particular type of coffee. An interpretation can used in this instance as “beans used for coffee production” and “beans used for espresso production.”
2. Coffee beans used for both coffee and espresso can be classified into three types: Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. The first two types are often used together in different concentrations to make a particular blend.
3. Beans used in making coffee are roasted for a time at a certain temperature. After roasting, they are given a coarse grind. Meanwhile, beans for espresso are roasted longer and at a higher temperature thereby releasing the oils and a more concentrated flavor. The roasted beans are further ground into a fine powder.
4. Espresso is a specialized form of coffee, usually prepared by a barista, and often comes in many blends. It connotes a relaxing and café-like environment. On the other hand, coffee is often seen as a practical beverage for the workplace.