Coffee vs. Espresso — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
Coffee is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans, typically enjoyed in larger servings, while espresso is a concentrated form of coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground beans, served in small shots.
Difference Between Coffee and Espresso
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Coffee is made by brewing roasted coffee beans with hot water, resulting in a beverage with a wide range of flavors and caffeine content. It is typically served in larger quantities, such as a mug or a cup. On the other hand, espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure. It is served in small, strong shots.
Coffee can be brewed using various methods, including drip brewing, French press, and pour-over, each providing a different flavor profile and strength. Espresso, however, is specifically brewed using an espresso machine, which uses pressure to extract a small amount of highly concentrated coffee, creating a rich and intense flavor.
In terms of strength, coffee generally has a milder taste and lower caffeine concentration per ounce compared to espresso. While a standard cup of coffee contains more caffeine overall due to its larger size, espresso packs more caffeine per ounce, making it more potent in smaller doses.
Coffee is often enjoyed with additions such as milk, cream, sugar, or flavored syrups, allowing for a wide variety of preparations. Espresso is the base for many popular coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, where it is combined with steamed milk and milk foam to create different textures and flavors.
The brewing time for coffee is typically longer, ranging from a few minutes to several, depending on the method used. Espresso, on the other hand, is brewed quickly, usually within 25-30 seconds, due to the high pressure involved in the process.
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Comparison Chart
Brewing Method
Drip, French press, pour-over, etc.
Espresso machine using high pressure
Serving Size
Larger cups or mugs
Small shots
Flavor Profile
Wide range, milder
Rich, intense, concentrated
Caffeine Content
Lower per ounce, higher overall per serving
Higher per ounce, lower overall per serving
Preparation Time
Longer (minutes to several)
Short (25-30 seconds)
Compare with Definitions
Coffee
A plant from which the beans are harvested.
Coffee plants thrive in tropical climates.
Espresso
A concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground beans.
She ordered a double shot of espresso to get through the afternoon slump.
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. All fruit must be further processed from a raw material—the fruit and seed—into a stable, raw product; un-roasted, green coffee.
Espresso
A coffee shot often served with a layer of crema on top.
The perfect espresso has a thick layer of golden crema.
Coffee
A hot drink made from the roasted and ground seeds (coffee beans) of a tropical shrub
A coffee pot
A cup of coffee
Espresso
The base for many coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
The barista expertly prepared an espresso for the latte.
Coffee
The shrub which yields coffee seeds, native to the Old World tropics.
Espresso
A method of brewing coffee using an espresso machine.
He learned how to use the espresso machine at his new job.
Coffee
Any of various tropical African shrubs or trees of the genus Coffea, especially C. arabica or C. canephora, widely cultivated in the tropics for their seeds that are dried, roasted, and ground to prepare a stimulating aromatic drink.
Espresso
A strong, small serving of coffee with a rich flavor.
Espresso is often enjoyed on its own or with a twist of lemon.
Coffee
The beanlike seeds of this plant, two of which are found in each fruit.
Espresso
Espresso ( (listen), Italian: [eˈsprɛsso]) is a coffee-brewing method of Italian origin, in which a small amount of nearly boiling water (about 90 °C or 190 °F) is forced under 9–10 bars (900–1,000 kPa; 130–150 psi) of pressure (expressed) through finely-ground coffee beans. Espresso coffee can be made with a wide variety of coffee beans and roast degrees.
Coffee
The beverage prepared from the seeds of this plant
Likes to drink coffee with breakfast.
Espresso
A strong coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through darkly roasted, finely ground coffee beans.
Coffee
A serving of such a beverage
Ordered two coffees with sugar.
Espresso
A serving of this beverage
Ordered an espresso with dessert.
Coffee
A moderate brown to dark brown or dark grayish brown.
Espresso
A concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee.
Coffee
An informal social gathering at which coffee and other refreshments are served.
Espresso
A drink that includes espresso as an ingredient.
Coffee
(uncountable) A beverage made by infusing the beans of the coffee plant in hot water.
Espresso
Strong black coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans
Coffee
(countable) A serving of this beverage.
Coffee
The seeds of the plant used to make coffee, called ‘beans’ due to their shape.
Coffee
The powder made by roasting and grinding the seeds.
Coffee
A tropical plant of the genus Coffea.
Coffee
A pale brown colour, like that of milk coffee.
Coffee
The end of a meal, when coffee is served.
He did not stay for coffee.
Coffee
Of a pale brown colour, like that of milk coffee.
Coffee
Of a table: a small, low table suitable for people in lounge seating to put coffee cups on.
Coffee
(intransitive) To drink coffee.
Coffee
(transitive) To give coffee.
Coffee
The "beans" or "berries" (pyrenes) obtained from the drupes of a small evergreen tree of the genus Coffea, growing in Abyssinia, Arabia, Persia, and other warm regions of Asia and Africa, and also in tropical America.
Coffee
The coffee tree.
Coffee
The beverage made by decoction of the roasted and ground berry of the coffee tree.
They have in Turkey a drink called coffee. . . . This drink comforteth the brain and heart, and helpeth digestion.
Coffee
A cup of coffee{3}, especially one served in a restaurant; as, we each had two donuts and a coffee; three coffees to go.
Coffee
A social gathering at which coffee is served, with optional other foods or refreshments.
Coffee
A color ranging from medium brown to dark brown.
Coffee
A beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans;
He ordered a cup of coffee
Coffee
Any of several small trees and shrubs native to the tropical Old World yielding coffee beans
Coffee
A seed of the coffee tree; ground to make coffee
Coffee
A medium to dark brown color
Coffee
A brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans.
I enjoy a cup of coffee every morning to start my day.
Coffee
A popular drink consumed hot or cold, often with milk or sugar.
She prefers her coffee with a splash of almond milk.
Coffee
The ground beans used to make the beverage.
He bought a bag of freshly roasted coffee from the local shop.
Coffee
A social event centered around drinking coffee.
We met for coffee to catch up on old times.
Common Curiosities
How is espresso typically served?
Espresso is served in small shots, often with a layer of crema on top.
Is espresso stronger than regular coffee?
Espresso is stronger and more concentrated per ounce compared to regular coffee.
What is the main difference between coffee and espresso?
Coffee is a general term for a brewed beverage from roasted beans, while espresso is a concentrated form of coffee made with high-pressure extraction.
Can I use coffee beans to make espresso?
Yes, but the beans need to be finely ground and brewed with an espresso machine to achieve the proper extraction.
What are some common ways to brew coffee?
Common methods include drip brewing, French press, pour-over, and cold brew.
What is crema in espresso?
Crema is the golden, creamy layer that forms on top of a well-pulled shot of espresso.
Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?
Espresso has more caffeine per ounce, but a typical serving of coffee has more caffeine overall due to its larger size.
Why is espresso more expensive than regular coffee?
Espresso machines and the precise brewing process contribute to its higher cost.
What are some popular espresso-based drinks?
Popular drinks include lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and Americanos.
How long does it take to brew espresso?
Espresso is brewed quickly, typically within 25-30 seconds.
Can I make lattes with regular coffee?
Lattes are traditionally made with espresso, but you can use strong brewed coffee as a substitute.
Can I drink espresso without milk or sugar?
Yes, many people enjoy espresso straight for its rich and intense flavor.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
