Are Coffee and Espresso the Same?

Espresso is perfect for that extra added jolt in the morning, but is it just coffee with a fancy new name? What are the differences between the two?

The Short Answer

Yes, all espresso is coffee, but not all coffee is espresso.

The Long Answer

We’ve all had one of those mornings where our daily grind is grinding a little harder than usual, so we get a shot of espresso in our morning coffee for an added boost. But what is espresso, and could it be the same thing as coffee? Why are they named differently?

Espresso is actually a form of coffee, served black with no dairy added. Regular coffee is made from coarsely ground roasted coffee beans. Water is poured through these beans and a filter, giving us our morning java. Espresso, while still coffee, is stronger because of its unique brewing method. When espresso is made, steam is forced through coffee beans that have been more finely ground. A very small amount of extremely hot water is passed through it to make a more concentrated product. That is why espresso is so much more potent and powerful than regular coffee.

But despite these different methods of preparation and brewing, at the base level, coffee and espresso are the same thing and come from the same plants. So, while it would be accurate to call all espresso coffee, all coffee cannot be considered espresso.