Today, we are diving deep into the world of espresso coffee blend. You might be thinking, ‘Espresso? That’s just strong coffee, right?’ Well, you’re not wrong, but there’s more to it than that. Let’s break it down and talk about the difference between espresso coffee blends vs other coffees, what espresso is used for, and … well, any other espresso-related tidbits that pop into our head. Once you feel inspired, make sure to visit Kai Coffee for some delicious espresso drinks.
Espresso Coffee Blend vs Other Coffee
So…what’s the difference between espresso and coffee? Is there a difference? Well, espresso is a method of brewing coffee, rather than a specific type of coffee bean. Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans at high pressure. This results in a concentrated coffee that is the base for many other coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.
Espresso coffee blends are specially designed to be used for making espresso. These blends usually consist of a mix of different beans that are roasted to a medium to dark level. The beans are then ground very finely to allow for the high-pressure extraction.
Other coffees, like drip coffee or French press coffee, use coarser grinds and are brewed using different methods. The beans used for these types of coffee can vary widely, from light roasts to dark roasts, and the blends are not specially designed for any particular brewing method.
What is Espresso Used For?
Espresso is the base for many different coffee drinks. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- Espresso: Yep, you can drink espresso by itself! A single shot of espresso is about 1 ounce, and a double shot is about 2 ounces.
- Americano: This is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. It’s similar to drip coffee, but with a richer flavor.
- Latte: This is made with one shot of espresso and steamed milk. It’s usually topped with a small amount of foam.
- Cappuccino: Similar to a latte, but with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
- Macchiato: This is made with one shot of espresso and a small amount of milk or foam.
- Mocha: This is made with one shot of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. It’s usually topped with whipped cream.
Espresso Fun Facts
Now that we’ve gone over some espresso basics, how about some fun facts to flaunt your knowledge?
- Espresso is not a bean or a roast: Contrary to popular belief, espresso is not a specific type of coffee bean or a roast level. It is a brewing method. You can technically make espresso with any type of coffee bean, although espresso blends are specially designed to create the best flavor.
- Espresso has less caffeine than drip coffee: It’s true! Even though espresso is more concentrated, a shot of espresso actually has less caffeine than a cup of drip coffee. A 1-ounce shot of espresso has about 63 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine. (This one still shocks us, knowing how espresso is talked about.)
- Espresso machines were invented in the 19th century: The first espresso machine was patented in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy. However, it wasn’t until 1905 that the design was perfected by Desiderio Pavoni and the espresso machine as we know it today was born.
The Final Sip of Espresso
So, there you have it: a quick rundown of the differences between espresso coffee blend vs other coffees, what espresso is used for, and some fun espresso facts. We hope you found this information helpful and that you feel inspired to try all our delicious espresso drink options at Kai Coffee.