The Best Coffee for Espresso Machine at Home

What to Know About Coffee for an Espresso Maker

Have you been wondering what type of coffee to use in your espresso maker? Or, maybe you are wondering if you can use regular coffee grounds to pull shots of espresso.

Here, we will go over how to use coffee in an espresso maker, what the best coffee beans for espresso are, and more! That way, you can whip up delicious espresso from the comfort of home, saving you time and money. 

Looking for top-rated small batch espresso?

Click this link to shop exclusive pure Arabica espresso ground coffee now! 

Espresso Grind Vs Drip Grind: What’s the Difference?

Regular drip grind coffee is coarser than an espresso grind. Espresso grounds are finer and more powdery, allowing for easier diffusion and strong shots of espresso. 

The Difference Between Espresso and Black Coffee

Espresso shots are measures of very strong coffee that have been crafted using high water pressure, heat, and finely ground coffee beans. Black coffee is generally brewed with hot water but no added water pressure, and the grounds are much coarser.

Deciphering Coffee Grounds: Espresso and Drip Grind Styles

To understand the difference between espresso and drip grind coffee, it can be helpful to know the different grind styles that coffee comes available in. 

Coffee can generally be purchased in drip grind, French Press grind, espresso grind, or unground whole bean format. Some small-batch coffee roasters, like OneGreatCoffee.Com, offer different types of coffee, custom blends, and infused coffee flavors in various grinds to meet your brewing specifications. 

Why does the grind level of coffee beans matter?

Grinding coffee beans to a specific consistency allows you to customize the surface area of the coffee itself, which directly impacts porosity and infusion. Espresso coffee grinds are usually finer and more powdery than regular drip grind coffee. This allows the hot water from an espresso machine to pass over the coffee grounds more easily and produce a stronger shot of espresso. 

You can read more about the different grind styles of coffee here. 

Is Espresso the Same as Coffee?

Espresso is made from coffee beans and water, just like regular black coffee. The difference is that espresso is a lot stronger. So, the basic components of espresso and black coffee are the same, but the quantities and techniques used for brewing are different. 

For espresso, the coffee beans are ground fine or extra fine. This expands their surface area, increases porosity, and expedites diffusion. Then, the fine grounds are diffused using heat and pressure to produce very strong coffee in small quantities, known as a shot of espresso. 

Additionally, espresso also has more caffeine per unit. Bearing that in mind, you tend to drink espresso in smaller quantities. Espresso shots are usually only 1.5 ounces or so each. However, black coffee is generally enjoyed by the cup, meaning you will drink 8 to 12 ounces at a time. 

Since Espresso is very strong, many prefer to mix it with milk, such as in a latte, or with water, like in an Americano. Espresso shots can also be used to craft iced coffees and iced lattes. 

Grinding Coffee for Espresso: Tips and Tricks 

If you are grinding coffee beans to an espresso consistency, you want to shoot for a fine, powdery grind.

Drip grind coffee should be coarser than sand, whereas espresso grounds should be powdery enough that they leave a residue when rubbed between your fingers.

The texture of espresso is similar to flour. It can be helpful to compare the consistency difference between flour and sugar to that of drip grind coffee and espresso in texture. Flour is powdery and has a softer texture, whereas sugar is much more grainy. 

So, if you want to brew good espresso, you’ll want to use an electric coffee grinder to get those beans to a very fine, powder-like texture. Then, they can produce strong, flavorful espresso. 

Tips to Keep in Mind When Grinding Coffee Beans for Espresso:

• It's easier to achieve a fine, powdery espresso grind when using an electric coffee grinder.
• The finer your espresso is, the stronger the espresso shots you pull will be. 
• Espresso has a greater surface area than drip grind coffee, so grinding your espresso fresh is recommended to prevent staleness or loss of flavor. 

Coffee for Espresso FAQs

Now, let's go over some frequently asked questions about grinding espresso and using coffee in an espresso maker. 

Can you use regular coffee in an espresso maker?

If you are in a pinch, you can use regular coffee grounds in an espresso maker. However, the espresso shots are likely to be watery or weak. If possible, try grinding your coffee to a finer consistency first so that you can pull better, stronger, more flavorful shots of espresso. You can use an electric grinder or even a mortar and pestle. 

What is the best coffee for espresso?

Quality dark roast Arabica coffee beans, finely ground to an espresso consistency, are best for making shots of espresso. This  Espresso Gold Arabica  coffee is a great option! 

Where to shop for bags of espresso coffee online?

You can shop for quality Arabica espresso online from an array of craft US-based coffee roasters. For example,  this top-rated coffee roaster  offers various espresso blends made with pure Arabica coffee beans. 

Great espresso bagged coffee options sold online include:

• Espresso Prima
• Espresso Italia 
• Espresso Verdi 
• Natural Organic Espresso