Espresso or filter: what changes in the cup?

Espresso and filter can use the same beans and make quite different drinks. Espresso is concentrated into a small serving. Filter recipes generally use more water for the dose of coffee.

What the recipe measures

Take a hypothetical espresso recipe: 18g of ground coffee produces 36g of espresso. Compare that with a filter brew using 15g of coffee and 250g of water.

The espresso number measures the drink collected. The filter number measures water added; some stays in the grounds. Keep that distinction in mind when following a recipe. Square Mile's espresso guide shows how dose and finished drink weight are controlled.

Compare the cups

Espresso machines force hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure, as the National Coffee Association explains. Filter brewing passes water through grounds and a filter into a mug or server.

Before comparing them, check whether they use the same beans. Otherwise you're comparing different coffees as well as methods. Take a small sip of each and notice the texture. Does one feel heavier in your mouth? What taste remains after swallowing? Write down what you prefer, along with the coffee names.

Taste isn't a caffeine measurement

A larger filter serving can contain more caffeine than a small espresso. Research on coffee servings found substantial variation between drinks, so their names don't give you precise caffeine figures.

At RASA, ask what coffee is being served and whether filter is available that day. Our Locations page has the Buxton and Sheffield addresses.