Want to have some coffee but only have espresso beans on hand? Can you actually make regular coffee with espresso beans? Let’s dive into this.
First things first, here are some differences between the two:
The difference between making espresso and regular coffee
A significant difference between regular coffee and an espresso is the way the drink is actually made.
An espresso is made by forcing boiling water through finely ground and tightly packed beans. This leads to layers of foam or “crema” at the top, a sign of a quintessential espresso shot. But this can generally only be achieved if an espresso machine is used - there needs to be a lot of pressure to generate this result.
Regular black coffee can be made via any brewing method, drip or pour-over. An immersion brewing method like a French Press can also be used. The range of options for brewing regular coffee is quite extensive.
Difference in grind sizes
The grounds of espresso beans must be finely ground. Regular coffee can be of varying grind sizes, from coarse to fine. However, if you’re craving a stronger cup, the finer the grounds, the higher the caffeine content.
It’s also important to note that different brewing methods may require different coffee ground sizes.
Can you actually use espresso beans for drip coffee??
If you’re someone who prefers sweet and fruity flavors in your coffee, the idea of just having an espresso may not be your thing. However if espresso beans are the only thing you have at home, we have good news - you can still make a delicious cup of drip or pour-over coffee. Espresso beans and regular coffee beans are the same thing, usually just a darker roast!
For espresso, it doesn't matter if you’re using Arabica or Robusta beans, mainly it’s important that a dark roast be used. If you ended up reading this and now you’re wondering what the best beans are for espresso, you’ll want to read this in-depth guide on picking the best beans for espresso.
Regular coffee beans can also be used to make espresso drinks, some coffee shops even offer light-roast espressos.
With the right grind size and coffee equipment, any kind of beans can be used to make drip, pour over, or espresso drinks. So the label of “espresso beans” on a bag of coffee beans simply refers to it being a darker blend that works well for espressos.
How to use espresso beans for drip coffee
Although you may not be able to replicate an authentic espresso with a drip coffee maker, you can make a very similar drink. Here’s how:
- Choose the concentrate brew setting. An espresso machine puts the pressure of 9 atmospheres on a pack of grounds, but in a pour-over the closest you can get to a similar consistency is via the concentrate setting.
- Finely grind the beans.
- Pour just enough water to dampen the coffee grounds. Let them rest for a minute.
- Pour in more water on top.
- Let the concentrated liquid collect, remove the filter when about 2 ounces of liquid is collected.
This concentrated liquid is very close to an authentic espresso as it has intense flavors and is quite strong, making it perfect for a cappuccino or a latte.
Our recommendation
Now that you know you can use espresso beans for drip coffee (they are all coffee beans after all!), you also probably realize you can use regular coffee beans for espresso. Share this new knowledge and go enjoy your espresso bean coffee!
If you’re looking for a dark, full bodied, and rich cup of coffee, our Downtown Blend is a foolproof choice. With notes of dark chocolate, cedar and sweet herbs, the earthy notes can be enjoyed all year round. Simply select the grind size according to the coffee equipment you have available, and enjoy.
