Espresso is one of my favorite go-to caffeinated drinks to get me started in the morning!
It provides me with a boost of energy to start my day and it’s also super tasty.
Sometimes however I find myself out of espresso beans and have to make do with what I have on hand, which is usually just regular coffee beans.
This left me wondering whether it is actually possible to make a good tasting espresso with regular coffee beans, so I decided to do some research and this is what I’ve found out.
Let’s dive right in!
Can You Make Espresso With Regular Coffee Beans?
You can make espresso with regular coffee beans, but it won’t taste as good as if you used authentic espresso beans. The reason for this is that authentic espresso beans are roasted longer and at a higher temperature than regular coffee beans. This process creates a more flavorful and aromatic bean.
If you want to make the best possible espresso with regular coffee beans, it is best recommended to use a dark roast.
Dark roast beans have been roasted for longer and at a higher temperature, which gives them a deeper flavor and body.
The difference between for example a dark roast and medium roast is quite significant, so if you’re using regular coffee beans and want to make espresso, I definitely suggest going with a dark roast.
Another tip for making better espresso with regular coffee beans is to grind the beans yourself.
Pre-ground coffee can go stale quickly, and it doesn’t provide the same freshness and flavor as freshly ground beans.
If you don’t have a special coffee grinder, you can also use a food processor or powerful blender (I use this Ninja blender, which I absolutely love!).
In order to do so, simply add a handful of coffee beans to the blender and pulse until they are coarsely chopped.
You can make espresso with any coffee, but the quality will greatly differ depending on the type of bean used.
If you want to make a great cup of espresso however, it is best to use authentic espresso beans that have been roasted longer which gives the drink its unique taste.
Are Espresso Beans And Coffee Beans The Same?
Espresso beans and coffee beans are not the same. Espresso beans are a type of coffee bean that is known to have been roasted for a longer amount of time and at a higher temperature than regular coffee beans which makes the taste much more stronger and intense.
Depending on the type of coffee you want to make, you can use either espresso beans or regular coffee beans.
If you want to make a traditional shot of espresso, it is always best to use authentic espresso beans.
However, if you just want a regular cup of coffee, you can use regular coffee beans without any problems.
If you want to make a specialty coffee such as a latte or cappuccino, you can use either type of bean.
Just make sure to adjust the amount of coffee grounds you use depending on the type of coffee you are making.
How Many Coffee Beans Equals A Shot Of Espresso?
In order to make a traditional shot of espresso, you will need to use approximately seven grams of coffee beans. This is the equivalent of two tablespoons of coffee grounds. If you like your espresso with a little more intensity, you can use up to nine grams of coffee beans.
Keep in mind that the quality of the bean will greatly affect the taste of the espresso, so it is important to use a high-quality bean when making this type of coffee.
Can You Use Regular Coffee In A Stovetop Espresso Maker?
You can use regular coffee in a stovetop espresso maker, but it won’t produce the same results as if you used authentic espresso beans. As stovetop espresso makers are designed to work with a finer grind, using regular coffee beans will result in a less flavorful and weaker cup of espresso.
If you want to make espresso with a stovetop espresso maker, it is best recommended to use a dark roast.
Can You Make Espresso Without A Machine?
You can make espresso without a machine. However, it takes a bit of effort to get a decent cup of coffee. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a French press or a stovetop espresso maker to get close to the taste of espresso.
You can also make quite a decent tasting espresso using an Aeropress.
Does A French Press Make Espresso?
A French press does not make an authentic shot of espresso. A French press is a type of coffee maker that uses a plunger to push hot water through ground coffee beans. This process produces a cup of coffee that is similar to espresso, but it is not actually espresso.
As espresso is made by forcing hot water through tightly packed, finely ground coffee beans, a French press will unfortunately not be able to produce the exact same results.
If you want to make a cup of coffee that comes close to the taste of espresso though, you can use a French press.
In order to do so, you will need to use a higher dose of coffee grounds (approximately eight grams) as compared to a regular cup of coffee.
In Conclusion
So, to sum things up, when it comes to making espresso, you can use regular coffee beans if you happen to have run out of espresso beans.
However, note that the quality of the cup of coffee you will get will greatly differ depending on the type of bean used.
Therefore, if you want to make a great cup of espresso using regular coffee beans, it is best to use dark roasted coffee beans.
Another tip that will greatly enhance the experience of drinking a good cup of espresso is to make sure to grind the beans yourself.
Don’t worry if you don’t own a coffee grinder, you can use a food processor or (strong) blender as well!
By following the tips in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to making a delicious cup of espresso.
Thanks for reading!