Did you ever wonder can you make coffee with espresso machine? We know that espressos are strong cups of caffeine loved by a lot of people around the world. They give you that little zing of energy whenever you need it.
It’s no wonder why a lot of people have espresso machines nowadays. But on days when you don’t feel like drinking such a strong cup, don’t worry!
You don’t have to settle with your usual espresso shot for your dose of caffeine. No, you can’t make regularly brewed coffee or drip coffee with an espresso machine. You’d need a dual-purpose espresso machine for that. But that shouldn’t limit the variety of coffee you should have!
Contents
Coffee vs. Espresso
You might be looking for a cup of regularly brewed coffee for a reason. Maybe you’ve had too much caffeine and want to cut back?
Perhaps you want to create a regular brew for some guests coming over. Or maybe you want to have a more familiar cup for now?
But what is the difference between your espresso and this coffee you want to make?
Ingredients
It’s a common misconception that you can only make espresso with “espresso beans” from markets.
You can actually make espresso with any type of beans, and it depends on you. The difference doesn’t lie here but in the process.
Process
The word “espresso” came from an Italian word that means “to press out.” Making espresso requires pressure to press nearly boiling water through packs of finely ground coffee beans. This is what sets the espresso apart from the common cup of coffee: the method.
Regularly brewed coffee doesn’t need high pressure and speed or to do this process. Aside from that, the grind for espresso is finer compared to regular coffee.
Flavor
What is the espresso if not rich and concentrated in taste? The special process of making espresso extracts flavor from coffee beans like nothing else.
The taste is very bold, usually topped with crema that a lot of people like. The smell of a good espresso is also one of its key traits. The flavor of espresso lies in both its taste and delightful aroma.
Caffiene
If you’ve drunk espresso or espresso shots before, you might have noticed the spike. The spike comes from both the taste and the caffeine.
This is because 12% of the coffee beans are dissolved in espresso. Only 2% of dissolved coffee solids are left in brewed coffee.
Therefore, in an 8-ounce cup of coffee, the average caffeine level is 70-140 mg. Meanwhile, in a 1.5-ounce shot of espresso, the average caffeine level is 60-80 mg!
How Can You Still Get Your Coffee
Yes, brewed coffee and espressos are different when it comes to how you make it. In other words, you cannot make coffee with an espresso machine without a dual purpose.
But don’t worry about that cup of joe even if you don’t have a machine. Here are some of the things you can do to still get regular coffee:
Cowboy Method
This is a simple method usually encouraged for making coffee outdoors (but you can make it inside with your stove!).
- Put your water and coffee grounds in your kettle (1 tbsp = 6 oz water).
- Place it over your fire or stove and bring to a boil.
- Remove the kettle from the fire after two minutes of boiling.
- Let the grinds sink to the bottom.
- Serve! You can use a strainer or ladle to remove grinds.
Coffee Bag Method
This is one of the simplest methods you can do to make your own coffee! It’s so easy, and it’s almost the same as making tea from tea bags.
- Heat your water up to a boil then immediately remove from heat.
- Fill the water up to the desired level, just make sure that your coffee bag is fully saturated.
- Remove the coffee bag when you get your desired brew strength.
What You Can Do With Your Espresso Machine
In case you’d still prefer to use your espresso machine to create coffee, don’t fret! Espresso machines can produce a range of drinks. Although it’s not the same as brewed coffee, here are espresso-based drinks you can try:
Americano
Americano is often confused with regular drip coffee. They are entirely different, but they do have some similarities in taste. If you’re really set out on “can you make coffee with espresso machine,” this is for you! American is simply a shot of espresso with hot water poured directly on it.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are a people favorite when it comes to espresso-based drinks. If you’re unsure what to do with your espresso machine, this is something nice to try!
A cappuccino is a drink that’s balanced well because of its components. It is made of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam or cream.
The drink is sweet from the milk and creamy plus frothy from the foam. It’s all perfectly balanced by the espresso shot, which still makes it strong!
Latte
If you’re into creamy beverages, this is the drink for you! The latte is the creamiest drink you can have when it comes to espresso. It has the same components as the cappuccino: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
What sets it apart is its one to two ratios between espresso and steamed milk. This makes the drink extra creamy, plus it is topped with a small layer of milk foam or cream.
Can You Make Coffee With Espresso Machine: Even better!
In the end, the question shouldn’t be, “can you make coffee with espresso machine?” because you can do so much more than that!
You can’t make a regular brew with an espresso machine, but you can do without it. You could also choose to make other drinks as an alternative to your regular brew.
In the end, you get to decide on your preferences, and you’re not left with a dead end. Get creative with your coffee and get to brewing!