An Espresso Machine with two shots of espresso being poured.

What's the Difference Between Espresso & Regular Coffee?

October 09, 2025

So, What is Espresso?

You've probably said "can I have a double shot?" without stopping to think what am I even asking for? Most of us consume espresso in some form or another at least once or more per week. From our morning lattes to that beloved espresso martini with the girlies on the weekends. But, honestly, what exactly is it?

Espresso is a strong, concentrated coffee brewed by pushing hot water through finely packed beans. This high pressure method results in a very rich, small shot of coffee with crema layered on top. It’s delicious on its own but also serves as the foundation for many of our favorite coffee drinks such as a latte, macchiato, cortado, cappuccino and so forth.

An espresso shot being pulled with a silver espresso machine.

How is Espresso different from Traditional Coffee?

The biggest difference between espresso and traditional coffee is in the way that it's brewed. Coffee is typically brewed using a 1:18 grounds-to-water ratio, while espresso uses a 1:2 grounds-to-water ratio.

Coffee is brewed slowly, with hot water dripping slowly through medium-coarse grinds and a filter into a larger cup. And you're able to modify between a light, medium or dark roast coffee depending on your personal taste and choice of coffee beans.

Espresso, on the other hand, is brewed quickly using an espresso machine. There are three different style of espresso machines, manual, semi-automatic, or fully-automatic. Each style allows you to take your own approach at creating a shot of espresso either in a more manual way or completely hands-off way. However, all of the machines essentially perform the same brewing process by quickly pushing hot water through a puck of finely-ground dark-roast coffee.

Where did Espresso Originate?

Believe it or not, espresso is not that old! Espresso's origins date back to the early 1900's in Italy by the inventor Luigi Bezzera. He was a coffee obsessed connoisseur who became intrigued with the idea of creating coffee faster by using steam pressure. From here, he developed the first variation of what has become today's modern espresso machine, La Ideale.

It wasn't until the 1920s, during a growth in Italian coffee culture, when the word espresso, meaning "pressed out", became a common term in Italian society.

And the rest is caffeinated history. Espresso truly changed coffee, and the way we consume it, as we know.

What is the difference Between Espresso and Traditional Coffee Beans?

There really isn't a huge difference between espresso and traditional coffee beans. The main difference comes down to how they're prepared and roasted.

Espresso beans are roasted for a long time, drawing out further extraction of the oils in the beans. This process results in a much darker roasted bean and a bolder, more concentrated flavor perfect for espresso.

Coffee beans, on the other hand, are roasted for a shorter amount of time. These beans can vary between light, medium and dark roasted coffee beans. These variations allow for more flexibility in brewing styles and flavor profiles. However, most espresso blends still lean toward the medium to darker side to achieve that rich, full-body with a smooth finish.

Curious on the different what the difference between light, medium ,and dark roast coffee beans is? We have a full breakdown on the differences here!

A coffee pot next to a colorful bag of coffee beans.

How to Pull the Perfect Espresso Shot?

Of course, every espresso machine will have its quirks but a few golden rules will help you get that balanced, smooth shot every time.

Start with fresh beans.
Always use freshly ground coffee. Espresso calls for an extra-fine grind.
Measure it out.
A standard shot uses about 18–20 grams of coffee, tamped evenly into your portafilter. Uneven tamping can lead to bitter or watery shots.
Dial in your shot.
Espresso should extract in about 25–30 seconds. Too fast? Your grind is too coarse. Too slow? Try a slightly coarser grind or a lighter tamp.
Watch the flow.
A perfect shot starts dark and syrupy, then turns a lighter honey color toward the end. Finishing with that golden crema on top.
Taste and tweak.
If it’s too bitter, adjust your grind a bit coarser. Too sour? Go finer. Espresso is all about the balance between sweetness, acidity, and body so don’t be afraid to experiment.

A person creating latte art with a shot of espresso.

As with most coffee shops, espresso has always been the backbone of every latte, cappuccino, and cortado we pour. We recently decided it was time for something new, something smoother, sweeter, and more balanced.

Our new Espresso Blend is a medium roast crafted from Brazilian and Honduran beans, grown high in the mountains where cool air and volcanic soil create naturally rich flavor. With tasting notes of caramel, apple, and almond, you'll experience both sweetness and smoothness.

This blend represents everything we love about espresso! It’s the same shot you’ll taste in every Bizarre drink in-shop, now ready to bring that flavor home.

Try a bag of Espresso today!