This is a question we get frequently from our guests. We usually answer with an important question: "Do you use an espresso machine or a filter method for making coffee?"
What is the difference between them?
Our approach is to adjust the roast so that the process of making coffee at home is as simple as possible.
Espresso
The espresso machine tends to bring out the natural acidity of the coffee due to the pressure added to the process. We can roast the coffee in a way that mitigates this natural acidity. Our goal when roasting is to get the inside of the bean to be a similar color to the outside. This way, anyone can make a classic 2:1 espresso that has a balance of sweetness and acidity.
Filter
In the absence of pressure, a different approach to roasting can benefit filter coffee. Unlike espresso roasting, we want to create a high degree of color between the interior and exterior of the bean. The interior will be lighter in color and the exterior will be darker. This will allow you to easily achieve a complex and bright coffee at home.
What if I want to make an espresso using filter roast coffee?
There's nothing wrong with doing this, but there are a few downsides. Due to our approach to espresso roasting, you may find the coffee brewed this way to be more boring and bland. We don't think this would be a pleasant experience for you.
What happens if I want to make a shot of espresso from filter roasted coffee?
Again, there is nothing wrong with doing this. It is quite unlikely that the resulting espresso will have a classic 2:1 ratio and be balanced. This is because the interior of the bean is roasted lighter, which makes extraction more difficult. You will get a more balanced espresso if you extract with more water and time. It can be an interesting experiment to try at home, but it may take several attempts to get a pleasant espresso. You can quickly consume a bag of coffee this way, so it may not be the best choice for everyday use.