Espresso vs Coffee: What Makes Espresso Different from Regular Coffee

Espresso vs coffee; what’s the real difference? The quick answer: espresso is a bold, concentrated brew made under high pressure, while coffee is typically brewed more gently with time and gravity. 

In this Evans Brothers Coffee guide, we’re spilling the beans on what truly makes espresso different. Think of it as coffee’s punchier, moodier cousin; the one who shows up dressed sharp and ready to impress. Whether you’re loyal to your morning drip or love the drama of a perfect shot, knowing the difference helps you appreciate both in a whole new way.

What exactly is espresso (and how is it different from coffee)?

Espresso often gets a reputation for being mysterious or intimidating, but at its core, it’s simply coffee brewed a very specific way. While both espresso and regular coffee start with the same beans, the process and final experience are quite different.

How espresso is brewed:

• High pressure, quick extraction: Espresso is like coffee on fast-forward. Hot water is forced through finely ground coffee, creating a tiny, powerful shot in roughly 30 seconds.
• Small but mighty: A typical espresso shot is only 1–2 ounces, but it punches way above its weight in flavor and intensity.
• Crema magic: That golden, creamy layer on top? That’s crema, espresso’s signature flourish, adding texture and richness that makes each sip feel special.

How regular coffee is brewed:

• Gravity takes the lead: Drip, pour-over, and French press methods rely on patience and gravity rather than pressure, slowly drawing out flavor over time.
• Big and comforting: A standard cup of coffee ranges from 8–12 ounces, perfect for savoring and pairing with your favorite breakfast (or just your couch).
• Flavor vibes: Regular coffee highlights nuanced, gentle flavors, letting subtle notes shine without the bold punch of espresso.

Key takeaways: 

• Espresso is concentrated, bold, and unapologetically intense; coffee is lighter, larger, and more chill.
• Any bean can play either role - what matters is how it’s roasted and brewed.

To dig deeper into what really sets espresso apart, we spoke with Daniel Gunter, Director of Coffee Quality at Evans Brothers Coffee, who lives and breathes all things beans and brewing. “There are quite a few misconceptions about espresso vs coffee floating around out there! One of the most common is that espresso has to be a particular roast level, whereas with brewed coffee you can brew light, medium, or dark. Espresso is just another brewing method, so you can do whatever the heck you want! Love light roast coffee? Go for it! Love something more dark, smoky, and bitter? Have at it, the world is your oyster.” 

 

“Espresso is another way of putting water through coffee…water can go through any coffee you want it to! Don’t suffer through something you don’t prefer just because you think it’s ‘supposed’ to be that way.”

Why brewing method changes the flavor

The way coffee is brewed has a huge impact on its taste, aroma, and overall experience. Espresso and regular coffee use different techniques, and those techniques determine which flavors are emphasized in your cup.

Espresso: Concentrated and bold

• Pressure-based extraction: Espresso is brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. This quickly pulls out oils, sugars, and flavor compounds, creating a dense, full-bodied shot.
• Intense flavor profile: Espresso emphasizes deep, rich flavors. Think chocolate, caramel, nuts, and sometimes bright fruit notes, all packed into a small serving.
• Crema and texture: The crema on top isn’t just for looks; it adds a smooth, layered texture and carries aromatic compounds that enhance the taste.

Drip or filter coffee: Subtle and balanced

• Gravity and time: Drip, pour-over, or French press rely on slower extraction with water passing through the grounds gradually.
• Nuanced flavors: Slower brewing highlights lighter, more delicate flavors like floral, citrus, or mild roasted notes.
• Smoother body: Without the pressure of espresso, the texture is gentler, making the cup easier to sip over a longer period.

Key takeaways:

• The brewing method shapes what you taste: espresso delivers concentrated intensity, while brewed coffee offers balance and nuance.
• Understanding extraction helps you appreciate the strengths of each style and choose the brew that fits your mood or moment.

“When brewing espresso you are making a concentrated beverage, so flavors tend to be more intense than brewed coffee. It also results in a different textural experience because the pressure creates crema on the espresso, as well as for a number of other reasons,” Daniel shares. “Brewed coffee may be more nuanced, or balanced, whereas espresso tends to be POW in your face due to the concentration. You use about the same amount of coffee to brew an 8oz cup of coffee as you would for a double espresso. The higher pressure & higher concentration highlights different characteristics.”

Espresso vs coffee caffeine content

A lot of people assume that espresso is packed with more caffeine than regular coffee, but it’s a little trickier than that. It all comes down to serving size and concentration, not just the brewing method.

Espresso: Small but mighty:

• Per ounce power: Espresso is concentrated, so each tiny ounce delivers more caffeine than the same amount of regular coffee.
• Typical double shot: A standard 2-ounce double shot contains about 125 mg of caffeine, depending on the beans and roast - plenty of kick in a small package.

Regular coffee: Big cup, big boost

• Per cup: An 8-ounce cup of drip coffee usually packs 95–165 mg of caffeine. So while espresso feels intense, a full cup of coffee actually gives you more caffeine overall.
• Gentler lift: Since it’s spread out over a bigger volume, coffee tends to give a slow, steady energy boost rather than an instant jolt.

Key takeaways:

• Espresso hits harder ounce-for-ounce, but a full cup of coffee usually wins the total caffeine game.
• Knowing this can help you pick your brew depending on whether you want a quick pick-me-up or a relaxed, sip-it-all-morning kind of boost.

Daniel goes into this more, “People assume that because espresso is more concentrated and stronger tasting that it has more caffeine than drip coffee. That’s not exactly true! A double espresso typically has about as much caffeine as an 8oz cup of coffee. If you use more coffee grounds to make your coffee, the more caffeine it will usually have. So a 12oz cup of coffee using 25g of coffee will likely result in more caffeine than a shot of espresso using 14-18g of coffee. If you had 8oz of espresso (that would be wild, please don’t drink 8oz of espresso!) then that would DEFINITELY have more caffeine than 8oz of coffee. By volume, espresso is more caffeinated, as a standalone drink, it’s not. There’s more to it than that, but there you go!”

A roaster’s favorite for espresso

"I personally love light roast, washed process Ethiopian coffees as espresso,” Daniel adds. “They can simultaneously be intense and nuanced. Bright, crisp, sweet, and exciting.”

 

“How we pull shots with those will result in less body than a traditional espresso, but it’s a fun experience! I encourage everyone to try different coffee to see what you like!”

Espresso vs coffee: The bottom line

At the end of the day, both espresso and coffee come from the same humble beans; it’s the brewing method, flavor, and culture that set them apart. Espresso is concentrated and bold, while regular coffee is mellow and expansive. Neither is “better,” it just depends on your mood (and maybe how much caffeine you need before 9 a.m.).

Ready to taste the difference for yourself? Stop by an Evans Brothers Coffee cafe or explore our roasts online, whether you’re pulling espresso at home or brewing a classic cup, we’ve got the beans to make it unforgettable.