Espresso vs. Drip Coffee

There are many people who have strong opinions on this topic. Some prefer espresso, some prefer drip coffee, and others love them both! We’re going to explore the differences of these two types of coffee and let you be the judge.

Consistency of the Grinds

One of the main differences between espresso and drip coffee is that espresso requires very finely ground coffee grinds. This is because espresso is made by forcing about 1.5 ounces of water through this finely ground coffee, and how tightly the grinds are packed makes a vast difference in the final product. Drip coffee, on the other hand, requires coarsely ground coffee grinds, because you want the hot water to stay in contact with the coarse grinds for much longer than the espresso.

Brewing Time

Brewing time for these two types of coffee is extremely different. The brewing process for drip coffee is much longer than for espresso because of the smaller volume of water required for a shot of espresso. Generally, it takes about 25 seconds to pass 1.5 ounces of water through espresso grinds to make an espresso shot. The entire brewing process for drip coffee should take about two and a half to three minutes.

Caffeine Concentration

Many people will turn to an espresso shot when they need a jolt of caffeine to get them through a long morning. However, per serving size drip coffee actually has higher caffeine content than espresso. This is because espresso is typically served in a 1-ounce serving size, whereas drip coffee is usually served in an 8-ounce serving size. Per 1 ounce, espresso contains 40 to 75 mg of caffeine, and drip coffee contains 10 to 25 mg of caffeine. But if you’re drinking the whole 8-ounce serving of drip coffee, than drip coffee actually has more caffeine than that 1-ounce shot of espresso.

So now you know the major differences between espresso and drip coffee. Whether you stick to one of these coffee types or you like to mix it up every once in a while, you’re in luck- we offer both!