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“Coffee is not just coffee anymore. Specialty coffee shops have completely changed the way we view and taste our daily cup of coffee. We've discovered countless methods to prepare it, and people are waking up to little intricacies that affect the overall flavor of our drinks."
But what really is the difference between the two popular methods of preparing coffee today, espresso machine coffee and filter coffee? This will be described in detail in the article below from taste to preparation and the chemical reactions inside it, get ready to find out.
What is Espresso?
Espresso is the Italian answer to your immediate caffeine needs. This word conveys one of the most important things you need to know about this drink – INSTANTLY. That's right, because it's easy to operate and quickly serves 1 cup of espresso coffee in just a record time.
Then, what's the difference? Well, espresso coffee is brewed at a high temperature (almost boiling!), pressurized water flows through finely ground coffee beans, the coffee will become denser and darker than the funnel coffee.
Does this sound too intense? Fret not, an espresso is not just meant to be consumed from a small cup. This is also your base for all those different drinks like Americanos, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes… And if you're asking what's the difference between all of these, it's simply the amount of steamed milk or water. hot you want for your perfectly balanced cup of coffee.
What's in an Espresso machine?
Espresso is not only thicker and darker than filter coffee. It also includes the following components:
Crema: This is the golden brown top layer of a shot, made up of protein, oil, and melanoidin (made by a combination of sugars and amino acids). Not all coffees can produce crema, and that's also a controversial topic: some people find it too bitter, while others see it as a sign of an espresso brewed coffee. good.
Liquid: This is the main part of the espresso shot, bringing out the acidity and sweetness. It can also be thought of as two different parts: the physical part and the fluid part (the heart). The body is the middle part of the espresso and is usually caramel brown in color. As for the liquid part (the heart), the base of espresso, it is usually brown and looks darker.
What is hand brew coffee?
Espresso coffee and filter coffee are, in theory, the same concept. The basics are the same: pour hot water over the coffee grounds, the water passes through the grounds and a filter of some kind, and falls into a coffee container.
But the main difference between filter coffee and espresso machine coffee is that, instead of being pushed through pressure, water flows through the grounds solely because of gravity . For this reason, the coffee extraction process takes longer and produces a different, but still excellent, result.
Oh, and for all of this, it also needs more coffee grounds and more water. The finished product of filter coffee is usually no less than 30 ml or vice versa, it is not the coffee you like to drink.
Filtering coffee – what you will also hear as pouring and dripping – tends to draw out less acidity and bring out the more complex flavors of the coffee. This makes it a popular coffee extraction choice for specialty coffees of single origin , as it allows drinkers to appreciate all the flavors and aromas. .
And unlike espresso, with its density and layers, good filter coffee is clean, clear, and consistent. This is because more water is allowed to absorb the coffee oils and fragrances on its own consistent time and pressure, rather than by force. In addition to the lower acidity, this also gives it a lighter mouthfeel, at least when compared to espresso.
How long does it take to make a filter coffee cup?
The brewing time and steeping of the filter coffee are what accentuate its complexity – it's a cup to wait. The process begins by wetting the surface of the coffee and waiting for the coffee to "bloom" for at least 30 seconds. This allows for the release of carbon dioxide and facilitates better water flow during the process. The rest of the process (after blooming) is about 1½ to 2 minutes.
As for espresso, the Italians stand firm for an extraction time of 25 to 30 seconds – nothing more, nothing less. If you're drinking coffee with milk, steaming and pouring the milk only takes a few seconds. This puts our prep time (excluding the fine grinding of the coffee) to about a minute (depending on how confident you are with multi-tasking). It's a quicker way to get your hands on that coffee.
What about filter coffee making equipment?
When it comes to the tools of the trade, most basic filter coffee equipment is cheaper than investing in a full-fledged espresso machine. This makes it a more cost-effective option if you're just into coffee making or starting out for the first time. For the filter, all you really need is a dropper, filter paper, and a beaker (though items like scales and thermometers will give you more accuracy). There are many types of drippers you can choose from – Chemex, Clever Dripper, Kalita Wave, V60.. Each is available in a wide range of materials, and each has some slight differences, such as the size of the dropper. drip holes, the structure of the drip, etc.
A coffee machine, on the other hand, can allow you to brew anywhere from hundreds to thousands, depending on what you require. A home-use machine will cost you less, but it may not be built to work with enough pressure to produce an espresso of the same quality as a more expensive or commercial machine.
Of course, a coffee machine also takes up more space and consumes more power. Then there are different tools and variables to consider (nozzle, display, extraction profile parameters…. These are endless, and can also cost you a fortune.
Strainer vs Espresso: Which is better?
There is no simple answer to this question.
Filtered coffee is a more precise way to taste different shades of coffee, especially those that may not shine as bright as in a cup of coffee. The process itself is also peaceful and calming.
However, it is certainly not comparable to espresso when placed in the hands of time. An espresso made differently, through a completely different method, and a great quick way to score your caffeine needs.
Another consideration is how you usually drink your coffee. Due to the thick nature of the syrup, it tends to swirl into the milk in a smooth, consistent manner. The creaminess of steamed milk often brings out more of the sweetness of the espresso and this can be enjoyed in the form of cappuccinos, flat whites and lattes.
Filtered coffee, by comparison, has a cleaner, smoother and less acidic taste – meaning it is often drunk with just coffee. This allows you to appreciate its subtlety and clarity. At the end of the day, the best choice comes down to your lifestyle and preferences. However, keep in mind that each method can produce completely different results with different types of coffee, depending on the coffee's origin, processing method, roasting technique and more. That's the great thing about coffee, isn't it? It always has a lot to offer. So what's your favorite method?
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