What is the difference between espresso and filter coffee?

Not sure which coffee is best for you? This article will help you discover exactly what makes espresso and filter coffee unique, so you always make the right choice.

Espresso versus filter coffee

Walk into any coffee bar and you'll find a wide variety of espresso- based drinks, including cappuccino, flat white, Americano, latte, and espresso macchiato.

If all these options are making your head spin, don't worry. Luckily, you're not the only one who doesn't know the exact difference between all these coffee types and filter coffee.

By learning and discovering the key differences between espresso and filter coffee, you'll always be able to make the right choice in the future, offering exactly what your taste buds need.

What is espresso and how is it made?

Before I can tell you what espresso is, there are two espresso myths I want to debunk. "Espresso is a coffee bean..." No, espresso isn't a bean.

You can make an espresso drink from any bean, regardless of what's on the packaging. But the reverse is also true. If the packaging says "roasted for espresso," you can also use it to make a regular coffee. Secondly,

Espresso isn't a roasting style either. Typically, coffee beans recommended for espresso are roasted a bit darker. This makes the beans more porous, making it easier to achieve a good, balanced extraction.

Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed under high pressure. This concentrated coffee often contains no more than 40 ml and has a thicker, more syrupy texture than a regular cup of coffee.

The high pressure and concentration causes a crema layer to form on top of the espresso, which is formed by air bubbles mixed with the oils in the coffee.

Want to know how to make the perfect espresso? Then read this blog post .

What is filter coffee and how is it made?

Filter coffee, or better known to some as 'regular' coffee, is technically a much simpler way (in terms of equipment) of making coffee.

No espresso machine is used that can quickly and efficiently pump water through the coffee under the correct pressure. Instead, hot water is added to the coffee and slowly seeps through the ground coffee.

With the right technique, you can also use this method to get the ultimate taste from your coffee.

Well-known filter brewing methods:

Hario V60: instructions

Chemex: instructions

Aeropress: instructions

What are the differences between espresso and filter coffee?

1. Grinding

Perhaps the biggest difference between espresso and filter coffee is the grind, or better known as grind size.

For an espresso you need a very fine grind that acts as a barrier for the water, allowing the pressure from the espresso machine to build up and produce the desired, concentrated espresso.

For filter coffee, you'll want a slightly coarser grind. Start with a medium grind to make the perfect filter coffee. Using a grind that's too fine for filter coffee will result in over-extraction , which will result in a very bitter cup of coffee.

2. Roast type

In principle, you can use any coffee bean, regardless of roast, for any brewing method. A coffee roaster usually has a specific purpose for each coffee bean and will provide brewing recommendations accordingly.

Zwarte Roes Coffee always comes with brewing advice and recommends the brewing method our team prefers for the specific coffee.

But to stick with the differences for a moment... A coffee roasted for espresso is usually roasted a little longer and sometimes a little darker.

This makes the extraction of the espresso easier, creating a balanced espresso.

Coffees roasted for filter brewing methods are often roasted a little lighter and shorter to allow you to taste the delicate flavors of the coffee's origins and to prevent over-extraction.

So pay close attention to what it says on the packaging and if not, you can always ask your coffee roaster for advice.

Also read: which coffee beans should I buy

3. Taste & texture

As you've probably gathered, espresso is much more concentrated and therefore has a much more intense flavor. Because of its intensity, the texture is more viscous and thicker than a cup of filter coffee. 

This is because an espresso is often 6-8 times stronger than a regular cup of coffee. This also significantly impacts the perception of bitterness and acidity, as these are naturally present in roasted coffee. You'll experience these much more intensely when drinking an espresso.

Filter coffees keep the flavors a little more in check and provide less expressiveness in the taste experience.

This is also the reason why many coffee roasters roast filter coffees a little shorter and lighter so that the desired acidity and sweetness come to the fore more prominently.

In terms of texture, you'll always find a cup of filter coffee a bit more watery than an espresso, simply because there's more water in your cup than coffee. This doesn't mean the taste is watery either.

Besides the differences in taste and texture, a perfectly brewed espresso also produces a beautiful hazelnut-colored crema layer , which provides a creamier texture and taste experience.

4. Caffeine content

Although an espresso is known to be stronger and contain more caffeine than regular coffee, in reality, it's quite different. Yes, the caffeine content per serving is considerably higher, but because an espresso is so small, it's actually comparable in practice.

Of course, there is a big difference between bean type and bean size, which also determine how much caffeine ultimately ends up in your cup.

5. Setting time

Another fun one. An espresso is incredibly fast. Just don't forget about grinding the coffee, measuring your shot, or tamping it down.

A perfect espresso takes 20-40 seconds to extract. Find your sweet spot , and you'll never want to go back.

For filter coffee, it can easily take several minutes instead of half a minute. This naturally depends on the brewing method and the amount of coffee you're making, but for simplicity's sake, assume it takes between 3 and 10 minutes.

6. How do you use it?

This way, you can turn your regular coffee into cold brew , iced coffee, or even use it in a delicious cocktail. But that's about the extent of the possibilities with regular coffee.

On the other hand, espresso is really the basis for almost all coffee drinks that you find in every coffee bar and restaurant.

So if you're thinking espresso isn't for you, remember that your espresso is used to make at least one, and possibly even more, of the drinks you drink every day.

This is the basis for the following espresso recipes:

• Cappuccino , a shot of espresso with steamed milk
• Latte/ coffee verkeerd , double shot espresso with steamed milk
• Americano , shot of espresso with hot water
• Espresso Martini, shot of espresso with coffee liqueur, vodka and syrup
• Flat White , shot of espresso with 2 shots of steamed milk
• Affogato , shot of espresso with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream

7. Price

While you can start with filter coffee for less than €15 with a simple V60 and some filters, an espresso setup will easily set you back several hundred euros.

The biggest stumbling block to making the best espresso at home is often the investment in all the gear you need to make an espresso.

Want that espresso experience at home without the big investment? A mocha pot is an inexpensive way to make espresso.

You can make a fantastic cup of coffee with either a filter or espresso method. Always make sure you buy freshly roasted coffee beans that are sustainably sourced and preferably traceable back to the coffee farmer. That way, you'll never go wrong.

Also read: What is espresso?

FAQ: Differences between espresso and filter coffee

Q: What is the main difference between espresso and filter coffee?
A: The main difference is in the brewing method. Espresso is brewed under high pressure and is a concentrated coffee with a small portion (about 40 ml), while filter coffee is brewed by slowly running hot water through ground coffee, resulting in a milder flavor and a larger portion.

Q: Is espresso stronger than filter coffee?
A: Espresso tastes stronger because it is more concentrated, but in terms of caffeine content, filter coffee can have more caffeine because of the larger amount of water used.

Q: Can you make filter coffee with espresso beans?
A: Yes, that's possible. However, because espresso beans are often roasted darker, they can produce a more intense and bitter flavor in filter coffee. For best results, it's recommended to use beans roasted specifically for filter coffee.

Q: What's cheaper, espresso or filter coffee?
A: Filter coffee is generally cheaper to make at home. A simple filter brewing method like a V60 is much cheaper than an espresso machine, which can easily cost hundreds of euros.

Q: How long does it take to make espresso or filter coffee?
A: An espresso is ready quickly, usually in 20-40 seconds (excluding preparation time). Filter coffee takes longer, depending on the brewing method, usually between 3 and 10 minutes.

Q: Which coffee has more caffeine: espresso or filter coffee?
A: Espresso contains more caffeine per milliliter. But because a cup of filter coffee is larger, you often get more caffeine overall with filter coffee.

Q: Which coffee is healthier, espresso or filter coffee?
A: Filter coffee is considered slightly healthier because it contains less cafestol, a substance that can raise cholesterol and is present in higher amounts in espresso.

Q: Can I make espresso at home without an expensive espresso machine?
A: Yes, with a Moka pot you can make espresso-like coffee without a large investment. It's a budget-friendly option for enjoying concentrated coffee.

Q: Why does espresso have a crema layer and filter coffee doesn't?
A: Crema is created when the oils in the coffee are mixed with air under high pressure during the espresso brewing process. Filter coffee doesn't have this pressure, so crema doesn't form.

Q: Which coffee suits me best?
A: This depends on your taste preferences. If you like an intense, concentrated flavor, espresso is a good choice. For a milder, longer coffee experience, filter coffee is a better choice.

Conclusion

Now I know exactly what the difference is between espresso and filter coffee, and that makes choosing a lot easier.

Whether I'm in the mood for an intense, concentrated shot or a smooth, longer coffee drinking experience, I can now always make the right choice.

What I learned most importantly is that both espresso and filter coffee have unique properties that offer their own charm and benefits.

The secret lies in the right grind, roast and brewing method.

By playing with this, I can tailor my coffee experience exactly to my taste and moment.

Whether I start at home with a simple V60 or invest in an espresso machine, one thing is certain: with the right knowledge, I always get the most out of my coffee.

Drinking coffee is no longer just a habit, but an experience I truly enjoy. And I want you to have that too!