A good automatic coffee maker needs to be filled with delicious coffee beans to perform well. We explain what the difference is between coffee beans and espresso beans, where the price differences are for coffee beans and what else you should look out for when buying.
What is the difference between coffee beans and espresso beans?
You may have noticed that coffee beans sold for making coffee are slightly lighter in colour than espresso beans? This is because they are roasted longer: It is often reported that espresso beans are roasted for about 20 minutes and coffee beans for about 13 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the bean. Furthermore, even within the category of “coffee bean” or “espresso bean”, there are light and dark roasts that have been roasted for different lengths of time. In general, however, it can be said that the coffee bean is roasted for less time than the espresso bean and only this creates a difference, because before roasting it is the same coffee bean.
This also results in a difference in taste: due to the longer roasting, the espresso bean loses acidity and is thus somewhat softer in taste and more digestible for the stomach.
Also of interest: Descaling an automatic coffee maker: 2 techniques at a glance
Coffee bean prices
The price of coffee beans varies between £16 and £25 per kilo, depending on the size and the supplier. If you buy several kilos at once, you sometimes come out cheaper. But this only makes sense if you really drink a lot of coffee and use up the beans within a month. Otherwise, the coffee beans you have lying around lose their aroma.
Of course, you will get a better deal if you buy your coffee beans in the supermarket or on the internet. But nothing beats a freshly roasted coffee bean at the roastery. Here, too, you pay around 20£ for a kilo.
Also of interest: Make your own coffee pods
Buying tips for coffee beans
- The fresher roasted, the better: buy your coffee beans at a roastery. Here, the coffee has not been roasted for more than a few days, so the aroma is still very fresh. You can taste the difference.
- Get advice on the blend. Coffee beans come from many different countries and in many different blends. Let us advise you! Do you prefer a tart, earthy coffee flavour or a fruity, smooth one? Coffee roasters know which blend best suits your taste.
- When you try a new coffee bean, don’t buy too much at once. What if you don’t like it? It’s best to buy 100gr packets of different coffee beans to have the opportunity to try several varieties to find the perfect flavour for you.
Another important point that guarantees an optimal taste of your coffee is cleaning. Find out how to clean your coffee machine thoroughly in our next article in this series.
Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is a seasoned home chef and culinary expert who has a passion for all things kitchen-related. With her extensive knowledge of the latest kitchen products and appliances, Elizabeth provides insightful reviews and recommendations to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Whether you're looking for a new refrigerator, blender, or cookware set, Elizabeth is your guide to finding the best kitchen products available in the UK.
