Espresso Beans vs Coffee Beans: What’s the Difference?

Today’s food and beverage landscape is rife with ever-changing coffee trends, but the espresso beans vs. coffee beans debate remains constant. While many consumers tend to use these terms interchangeably, when it comes to taste preferences, understanding the differences between espresso and coffee products can help you more consistently choose the right beans for your brew.

What are coffee beans?

Despite the fact that coffee consumption is at an all-time high in the United States, many consumers still aren’t sure exactly how their favorite beverages are made. Regardless of whether you’re enjoying the latest whipped coffee trends or just standing by your go-to black coffee trends, every cup of Joe starts with some good, old-fashioned coffee beans. 

You might be surprised to learn that coffee beans are actually seeds from the Coffea plant, a kind of shrub native to parts of Latin America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific. Once the seeds are harvested, they are roasted to varying degrees and distributed for use in coffee products and beverages. Regular coffee beans are a blank canvas for a seemingly endless number of coffee concoctions and serve as the basis for a variety of specialty coffee trends like iced coffee trends, instant coffee trends and more.

What are espresso beans?

Contrary to popular belief, espresso beverages do not require their own special variety of espresso beans. In fact, most products marketed as “espresso beans” are actually just dark or medium-roasted regular coffee beans. The magic of espresso beverages is actually located less in the beans themselves and more in the way they are prepared. When preparing espresso shots, dark-roasted coffee beans are ground extra fine and brewed under greater pressure to deliver a rich, concentrated shot with a crema layer on top.

Espresso beans are central to espresso trends and serve as the cornerstone of elevated beverages like Americanos, cappuccinos, lattes and more. According to the consumer intelligence platform, Tastewise, social media discussions about espresso beans have experienced almost 6% YoY growth since 2024, underscoring the central role espresso beans are playing in Millennial and Gen Z coffee trends and culture. 

Are espresso beans and coffee beans the same?

In summary, espresso beans and coffee beans come from the same plant but are prepared differently for use in different kinds of products. The key differences lie in how they’re roasted, ground and brewed, with each preparation process yielding different end results. Despite marketing tactics that would lead you to think otherwise, coffee debates are less about espresso beans vs. coffee beans and more about consumers’ preferred preparations and end products.  

What’s the difference between espresso beans and coffee beans?

Even though espresso beans and coffee beans are technically different sides of the same coin, there are some key differences between espresso products and coffee products that lead consumers to play favorites. Some of the primary differences include: 

• Caffeine content: Many consumers erroneously believe that espresso beans are higher in caffeine than other kinds of coffee bean. In reality, however, the caffeine content of the beans themselves is more or less the same. The difference lies in the preparation and subsequent concentration. Two shots of espresso generally contain the same amount of caffeine as a full 8oz to 10oz serving of drip coffee
• Calories: Plain espresso and black coffee are both very low in calories. It’s the milk and sugar some consumers like to add to their beverages that actually affects the final calorie count. Black drip coffee is a popular low-calorie beverage option for consumers who want to avoid the added fat and calories from milk-heavy iced espresso beverages like lattes.
• Taste: The espresso preparation process yields a concentrated, bold flavor with a mouthfeel that is distinct from the standard texture of drip coffee. Many dark roast coffee beans – like those used in espresso beverages – boast notes of chocolate and caramel, while lighter roast beans like those used in drip coffee deliver brighter, fruitier or nuttier flavor profiles. 
• Production process: Espresso beans are roasted darker and ground more finely than regular coffee beans so they can be brewed under extreme pressure. Coffee beans, on the other hand, can be roasted at any level and ground to suit a variety of brewing methods. 

While many of these differences are subtle, many coffee lovers have deeply entrenched preferences when it comes to their favorite beverages. Subsequently, coffee producers and distributors must leverage consumer preferences with the unique aspects of each product to deliver coffee experiences that live up to diverse consumer expectations. 

Current espresso and coffee trends

Espresso trends continue to expand as café culture evolves around the world. While classic, black coffee trends will always have their place in coffee culture, younger consumers are increasingly embracing specialty espresso-based drinks and health-focused alternatives for their favorite beverages. Mushroom coffee trends, plant-based milk alternatives and other functional twists on coffee beverages are making a splash across the United States as consumers increasingly reach for products that deliver on taste, aesthetic and health benefits. 

Even as café culture continues to trend worldwide, consumers are increasingly searching for products they can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. Home kitchen-friendly coffee makers and espresso machines are flying off the shelves and giving consumers unprecedented control over their coffee choices. While espresso machines, in particular, were once unwieldy and exclusive to professional kitchens, recent developments in espresso technology have resulted in home versions with small footprints that make it fast and easy for consumers to pull shots of espresso on their own time using the beans of their choice. 

Coffee by the numbers: Sales and consumption data

To better understand the state of the global coffee market, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest sales and consumption data. Here are a few important facts to know about the espresso and coffee bean market: 

• The global coffee bean market was valued at $32.6 billion in 2023. 
• The global espresso market was valued at $4.31 billion in 2024 and is expected to exceed $7 billion by 2032. 
• There are over 40,000 coffee shops in the United States, and this number is on the rise. 
• Approximately two-thirds of Americans report drinking coffee every day. 
• 70% of coffee drinkers report consuming coffee at home rather than at cafés. 
• Social media discussions about iced coffee have increased by roughly 6.25% in the past year, according to Tastewise. 

All of these stats highlight the fact that coffee consumers are continuing to embrace global coffee trends while finding new and innovative ways of enjoying their favorite beverages without leaving home. Coffee culture is clearly here to stay, giving brands across multiple food and beverages space a unique opportunity to evolve alongside their customers.                               

Popularity and audience: Who drinks what? 

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that coffee preferences are extremely personal and vary from consumer to consumer. Nevertheless, consumer intelligence data suggests that espresso and coffee beans each have their niche. For example, espresso beans tend to be more popular among café-goers, baristas and consumers who want to indulge in the bold flavors offered by specialty drinks. Espresso beverages are also popular among younger coffee drinkers, as they allow many opportunities for customization. 

Coffee beans, on the other hand, tend to be embraced by at-home brewers, die-hard black coffee drinkers and other consumers looking for the ideal combination of versatility and convenience. Regular coffee beans can be used to prep large quantities of cold brew, for example, that can be enjoyed straight out of the fridge for days at a time. 

The bottom line: Which is better?

When all is said and done, there isn’t a universal “better” choice between espresso and coffee beans. It all depends on how you like your coffee. While espresso beans shine in concentrated, rich beverages, coffee beans are still a popular go-to for everyday brewing flexibility. Each bean has its ideal uses, and it’s not unusual for consumers to purchase and enjoy both varieties for different occasions.

Final thoughts

The conversation around espresso beans vs coffee beans reflects larger shifts in global coffee trends and often highlights gaps in consumer coffee knowledge. Whether you’re brewing an espresso shot or savoring a pour-over, espresso and coffee beans all have their place, but brands can go the extra mile for consumers by leveraging market research into effective marketing and consumer education campaigns.

With insights from a consumer intelligence platform, brands can better understand how tastes are evolving across generations and tailor their products and services to better cater to changing expectations.