All espresso is coffee, but not all coffee is espresso.

And sincenearly two-thirds of Americansreport drinking coffee daily, theres a good chance youre a java fan.

With so many types to choose from, it can be overwhelming.

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Photo:Iryna Veklich/Getty Images

Its a popular caffeinated beverage, but its not the same as regular coffee.

Even if youve never ordered it before, your go-to coffee order may very well be an espresso-based drink.

Heres what you should probably know about the versatile coffee beverage that is espresso.

What is Espresso?

Espresso is a pop in of coffee.

Since its more concentrated than regular coffee, itshigher in caffeine.

Its actually how the coffee is brewed that makes it espresso.

Like regular coffee, espresso is the result of brewing coffee beans with hot water.

One of the key differences is that high pressure is used to brew espresso.

Whats the Difference Between Coffee and Espresso?

Still a bit confused about coffee vs. espresso?

Keep reading to learn more about how the two caffeinated beverages differ.

While the process is quicker, expect a learning curve withespresso machines.

With more parts and steps, theyre a bit more complicated than your typical drip coffee maker.

Theyre also more expensive.

Any coffee aficionado will tell you thatgrinding your own coffee beansmakes a huge difference.

But dont fret if you dont havea coffee grinderyou can still make espresso with coffee grounds.

Just verify theyre finely ground.

Espresso beans mainly refer to coffee beans that havea darker roast.

This is called espresso crema, and its made from tiny pockets of carbon dioxide gas that create bubbles.

What Is a Blonde Espresso?

Espresso is most commonly made with dark roast coffee beans.

Like the name suggests, the beans are roasted for longer, imparting a more intense flavor.

Blonde espresso, on the other hand, is made with lightly roasted coffee beans.

The beans arent roasted as long, so the flavor is more mild.

However, its even higher in caffeine.

How to Drink Espresso

Espresso is a very versatile caffeinated beverage.

you’re able to drink it on its own, or make espresso-based coffee drinks.

Though its called a shot of espresso, you dont need to chug it.

Rather, you should sip on espresso.

When youre ready to try an espresso-based drink, here are a few to consider: