Understanding how, if at all, espresso differs from your typical cup of coffee will help you decide where you stand in the espresso vs. coffee debate.
Are espressos only shots of coffee?Espresso is essentially a shot of strong coffee, but it’s made differently than a typical cup of coffee.
Since the late 1880s, when Italian innovators started using steam to power their coffee projects, espresso has existed in some form.
Which has more caffeine, espresso or drip coffee?
Espresso has over five times as much adrenaline as conventional drip coffee when measured ounce for ounce.
The USDA estimates that 1 ounce of espresso has 63.6 milligrammes of caffeine and that 2 ounces of brewed coffee contain 12 milligrammes. However, relatively few individuals consume both by the ounce.
Is Espresso Caffeinated More Than Coffee?
If you happen to be one of those folks who thinks decaf coffee is completely meaningless, you probably only drink it for one reason caffeine in the morning.
The ultimate end aim is a dosage of alertness to start your day, whether you like to quietly sip on a mug of coffee as you read the morning paper or stop to shoot a shot of espresso on your way to work for the ultimate instant injection of energy.
There are two crucial considerations that must be made: Concentration and amount of consumption. You might be shocked to hear that a serving of standard drip coffee contains more caffeine than a single shot of espresso.
Which has more caffeine, espresso or drip coffee?
Espresso has more than five times the amount of caffeine as conventional drip coffee when measured ounce for ounce.
The USDA estimates that 1 ounce of cappuccino has 63.6 milligrammes of caffeine and that 2 ounces of brewed coffee contain 12 milligrammes. However, relatively few individuals consume either by the ounce.
A typical espresso cup, or demitasse, weighs around 2 ounces and contains 127 milligrammes of caffeine. 8 ounces of coffee, however, only contain 96 milligrammes.
However, the average person who drinks drip coffee probably consumes over eight ounces at once.
For comparison, a tall order at a coffee shop has 12 ounces of coffee, while the typical coffee mugs that the majority of people keep in their cabinets hold anywhere from 11 to 15 ounces.
Why does espresso vs. Coffee grind size matter?
A good cup of coffee or espresso depends on choosing the proper grind size for the brewing method. Smaller espresso grinds have more surface area exposed to the water, which is perfect for a quick extraction.
For coffee, on the other hand, use a coarser grind to prevent over-extraction.
The smaller surface area of a bigger grind enables precisely the correct amount of flavour to be extracted from your grounds since water remains in touch with the grounds for a longer period of time when brewing coffee.
Make sure to use a grinder with settings that allow you to adjust from fine to coarse.
The KitchenAid Burr Grinder allows you to grind straight into the portafilter of your espresso maker and has over 70 precise settings for a variety of brewing methods.
Discover more about coffee grinders in order to choose the best one for your coffee plus espresso, and discover how to operate a coffee grinder to achieve consistent results.
Espresso vs. Coffee versus caffeine
Espresso drinkers might prefer it as their go-to order since they think it produces a greater amount of caffeine to start their day. But it’s a little more intricate than that.
Are espresso drinks more potent than coffee?Espresso is more strong than normal coffee in terms of caffeine concentration per ounce.
The usual cup of drip coffee contains roughly 80 milligrammes of caffeine per 8 ounce serving, compared to about 64 milligrammes in each ounce of espresso.
Although espresso may appear to give you a greater energy boost ounce for ounce, a shot usually only weighs about one ounce.
If you’re only drinking that, that means there’s less caffeine than a typical drip coffee or even a French press coffee.
Even a double shot espresso espresso from a neighbourhood barista might not be the strongest brew available.
A cup of pour-over coffee has roughly 133 mg of caffeine because water that is almost boiling is poured on coffee grounds. Some beans in steeped cold brew coffee contain more than 200 mg of caffeine per cup, making it considerably stronger.
The caffeine concentration of gold coffee is higher than that of typical medium roasts, and it gets stronger as it steeps.
Conclusion
Both coffee or espresso include bioactives that can promote longevity, heart health, brain function, and metabolic wellness.
Espresso often has lower levels of these healthy plant components than coffee, especially light-roasted coffee.