You walk into your favorite coffee shop and see the menu divided in half: coffee on one side, espresso drinks on the other. Sure, they’re both caffeinated, but do you really know the difference between the two? If you do, you’re probably a coffee connoisseur, and if you don’t, no worries! We’re here to spill the beans about your favorite (caffeinated) shots and beverages.
What Is Espresso, Anyways?
Espresso comes off as a scary thing to most people, but there’s no reason to be afraid. To keep it short and sweet, espresso is basically concentrated coffee. Surprisingly simple, huh? Espresso is made from finely ground coffee beans - yep, the same ones you use for your drip coffee - that are pressed through a sieve with hot water, steam, and a great deal of pressure. The result is a shot of dark brown liquid topped with a creamy, beige foam. The foam on top is called the crema - and to be clear, it’s espresso, not expresso!
Why Drink Espresso?
Because it’s the most socially acceptable shot you can take at work! Just kidding (sort of). Espresso is a great alternative to drip coffee because it’s a lot quicker to make. Many people like espresso for their mid-day pick-me-up because all it takes is a quick shot of caffeine to get back on track for the remainder of the day. Because it’s concentrated, espresso has more caffeine per ounce than a regular cup of coffee. Drinking a straight shot will definitely put some hair on your chest, but luckily there are tons of popular espresso beverages you can turn to if that’s more your style.
Popular Espresso Beverages, Broken Down
- Latte: One-third espresso, two-thirds steamed milk.
- Cappuccino: Basically an elevated latte. Instead of steamed milk, the milk in cappuccinos is foamy and frothed.
- Macchiato: Good for strong coffee lovers, a macchiato is made with a shot of espresso and a bit of steamed milk.
- Mocha: Double espresso + steamed milk + chocolate = grown up hot cocoa!
- Americano: Similar to drip coffee, an americano combines a shot of espresso with hot water.
Introducing Our Favorite Alternative
Why drink a shot when you have edible espresso in your pocket? Our brand new Caffeinated Snack Bites have a full shot of antioxidant-rich, fair-trade espresso in each bar - plus, they’re gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with organic dates and oats. Even better, these vegan energy bites have no sugar added and come in two incredible flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Cocoa Espresso. Hello, tasty energy bites.
