Does Espresso Coffee Need Special Beans?

Although espresso coffee is gaining in popularity, there is still a bit of confusion about the type of beans needed for this beverage. Technically, espresso is not about the coffee bean, but is about the way this drink is made. Now that's not to say that the coffee beans used for espresso are not important; actually the opposite is true. Because of the way espresso is brewed, the types of beans used are vitally important to the overall taste of this coffee.

The Coffee Bean Connection

Espresso coffee is all about hot water and coffee beans. But it's the way these two ingredients are put together that spells the success of this drink. Espresso coffee needs hot water, around 90 degrees centigrade. The temperature of the water is critical, because if it's too hot, the resulting drink will be bitter, and if it's too cold it will be sour. When the temperature is just right, the hot water is forced through the ground espresso coffee.

This beverage is thicker than drip coffee because of the way it's made. With drip coffee, there is no pressurized water; rather, the water is made to drip slowly into the ground coffee and is then passed through a filter.

Now let's get back to the type of coffee beans needed for espresso. You can really use any type of coffee beans to make espresso; it's all a matter of personal taste and enjoyment. However, certain types of coffee beans have become popular with espresso drinkers. Currently, this beverage is associated with darker beans, probably because of the popularity inspired by name-brand coffee shops across the country. Some people prefer to match the roast level to the bean type for a more specialized taste. This makes good coffee sense and is catching on among some of the more serious espresso drinkers.

Besides the Beans…

The taste of espresso coffee is also associated with how well the coffee beans were ground. Finer particles result in a richer and more robust taste. You may also want to remember that espresso coffee has a lot more caffeine than a traditional cup. This is because of the pressurized brewing process involved in making espresso. Although you can use any type of coffee bean, choose the best because the type you use will determine the overall taste and quality of the espresso. You can also experiment by mixing espresso with mocha or cappuccino. Only you can decide what makes a great espresso.