Espresso or coffee? What am I actually drinking here?
Sure... one Espresso you will recognize it when it stands in front of you and you will also clearly taste the difference to coffee. But do you know what it takes in production and preparation to make an espresso or a coffee?
We reveal at what point the distinction begins and what processes both one and the other drink go through to become an espresso or coffee!
The great espresso myth!
Espresso or coffee? What am I actually drinking here? Everything starts with the bean! Or does it? One myth that still persists is that a distinction can already be made between espresso and coffee when it comes to the natural product bean. The reason for this is the distinction between the two types of beans Arabica and Robusta. We have already published a very interesting blog post about this:
While most coffee blends consist exclusively of 100% Arabica beans, stronger espresso blends in particular are characterized by a certain proportion of Robusta beans. But these compositions do not make an espresso an espresso.
Above all, the roasting is crucial! By the way, you can read about what is important here in our blog post on espresso preparation:
The preparation of coffee - one drink, many options
But how is my coffee actually prepared in contrast to espresso? There are different ways of preparing it here - depending on your preferences:
The classic - the coffee filter machine
Classic and very popular is and remains the good old coffee filter machine! Most households have one, because it allows you to brew a large amount of coffee with the least amount of work. Fill the water tank, insert the coffee filter, pour in the coffee powder and start the brewing process - a pot is full in no time!
Traditional with hand filter
If you have a little more patience and like it traditional, you can use a hand filter. Place the (ideally) porcelain filter on a cup or pot, insert the paper filter, pour in the coffee powder and then slowly pour hot water over it in a rotating motion. Set down in between and let the water flow through and then refill. For the ideal amount of coffee powder and water depending on the desired amount of coffee, you can use a Coffee scale to help you. Simply place the filter-cup combination on the scale beforehand, tare, then pour in the powder up to the appropriate number of grams (approx. 6-8 grams per cup, depending on the desired strength), tare again and now pour in the water (150 grams per cup).
For those who like it strong - the portafilter machine
For a full-bodied coffee crema requires one thing above all - pressure! Therefore, a portafilter machine, the queen of espresso but also of coffee preparation, works with approx. 9 bar!
In fact, some espresso roasts can also be used for coffee from a portafilter machine (this also applies to fully automatic machines). For this purpose, only a coarser grind must be set in the grinder than for an espresso.
How the espresso gets into the cup
Just as with coffee, numerous possibilities open up for the Espresso preparation. From Stove-top stove over Aeropress up to the popular and also from us preferentially Espresso machine - Every espresso fan finds his own way of preparation! But what is now so different about espresso compared to coffee?
Blend, roast, grind - the decisive factors for a good espresso
As already briefly mentioned, many espressos are characterized by a Robusta content in their blend. However, an excellent espresso can also be prepared with 100% Arabica beans. For this purpose, the beans must be roasted much darker (i.e. longer) so that the characteristic strong flavor can develop properly later. In addition, the beans must be ground much finer before brewing so that not too much water seeps through the grounds.
In the mood for another espresso myth?
There's no denying that an espresso has much more kick than a coffee, but if you think it contains more caffeine, you're wrong!
Although 100 milliliters of espresso contains 20 to 30% more caffeine than the same amount of coffee, a much smaller amount is drunk, namely just 25 ml per cup.
Due to the strength of its taste, an espresso may clear your stomach a little after a sumptuous meal, but you should rather reach for a cup of coffee to wake up.
The Portafilter machine for an espresso or coffee has also convinced you?
We at Espresso Perfetto can understand that all too well! That's why you can get the best machines for your ideal espresso or coffee drink in our store!
