<p>Espresso tastes different than percolator coffee, but not necessarily better.  Espresso extraction produces a more concentrated drink with a different set of compounds that you would get with percolator extraction.  With a shorter extraction time and higher pressure, espresso will have a slightly different set of compounds than you would get from the same coffee with percolation.  </p>

<p>Some people prefer a more concentrated taste, however, some do not (many people think espresso is "too strong" when drank straight, thus the popularity here in the US of mixed espresso drinks).  This doesn't mean it's necessarily better.  Some types of beans are not well suited to espresso extraction and will actually produce a better cup when brewed with other methods.  </p>

<p>All coffee can be benefited or hindered by brew/prep method, but the quality of the bean and it's roast have quite a bit of influence in the matter.  Badly grown, processed and roasted coffee will not magically be made better by espresso extraction.  It might actually end up worse because concentrating it can highlight it's flaws.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T16:31:11.217Z
2015-09-01T16:31:11.217Z
Suspended User
<p>In essence it's pressure, temperature and how coffee is generally ground for the method that make the difference. </p>

<p>Espresso forces water at high pressure (generally about 250PSI) and a specific temperature (generally between 92 and 94 degrees Celcius) through ground coffee. Percolator coffee relies on gravity to move water that's generally boiling (100 degrees) through coffee. The water temperature does make a significant difference because it is possible to burn coffee with water - which is one of the reasons that to many espresso drinkers filter coffee tastes burnt. </p>

<p>Grind makes a significant difference as well, Espresso coffee is generally ground finer than drip filter coffee which makes for a more intense taste for the volume of liquid. As per Chris' post, roast and been quality makes a difference - although I'd slightly disagree with Chris and say that it's more than a hindrance. The same bean ground for espresso and produced by an espresso machine and then ground for and produced by a drip filter will taste much different - and he's right in saying that it will highlight a really bad bean. It is also part of the skill of good baristas though that they know how to grind and extract almost any bean to get the best out of it, I know baristas who adjust for humidity though too so how far you can go is a guess for me.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-11T03:54:26.160Z
2015-09-11T03:54:26.160Z
Karlhuna
<p>To me, espresso has a much better taste.  I learned this overseas, where, in many countries, they make traditional, straight espresso.  I know the modern American preference is coffee with lots of sugar and cream, but not for me.</p>

<p>I've used a cone filter at home with boiling water, to try to make espresso, but it tastes nothing like real espresso from a machine.  That's why I just ordered two espresso makers, one for work and one for home.</p>

<p>The second answer seems to give a good reason for the difference.  The high temperature must cause the burned taste.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-18T18:11:51.930Z
This post does not answer the original question regarding why expresso tastes differently.
Mayo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-19T05:50:01.857Z
I agree, this is not an answer, but an opinion. A downvote.
diynevala
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-18T15:30:53.987Z
2016-03-18T15:30:53.987Z
eric nelson
<p>I recently switched from percolator coffee to espresso. The taste is noticeably better. I feel as if it is common knowledge that espresso coffee is superior to percolator coffee. Why is it different? What are the scientific reasons for this?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-30T10:15:41.227Z
I think the pressure involved in the extraction process for espresso extracts more of the natural oils in the coffee beans and results in a richer flavour.
Loreno Heer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-30T18:55:37.233Z
It's not only the pressure, also the temperature of the water is different (lower in an espresso machine).
Niko
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T10:02:40.227Z
I'd say you can also make good coffee with a percolator. Of course, it depend very much on the coffee type and suitable grinding.
Martin Peters
<espresso><flavor><percolator>
Why does espresso taste different to percolator coffee?
V Maharajh
# Why does espresso taste different to percolator coffee?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-29)

I recently switched from percolator coffee to espresso. The taste is noticeably better. I feel as if it is common knowledge that espresso coffee is superior to percolator coffee. Why is it different? What are the scientific reasons for this?

**Tags:** espresso, flavor, percolator

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think the pressure involved in the extraction process for espresso extracts more of the natural oils in the coffee beans and results in a richer flavour.  
> **username_2**: It's not only the pressure, also the temperature of the water is different (lower in an espresso machine).  
> **username_3**: I'd say you can also make good coffee with a percolator. Of course, it depend very much on the coffee type and suitable grinding.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-09-01. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Espresso tastes different than percolator coffee, but not necessarily better. Espresso extraction produces a more concentrated drink with a different set of compounds that you would get with percolator extraction. With a shorter extraction time and higher pressure, espresso will have a slightly different set of compounds than you would get from the same coffee with percolation.

Some people prefer a more concentrated taste, however, some do not (many people think espresso is "too strong" when drank straight, thus the popularity here in the US of mixed espresso drinks). This doesn't mean it's necessarily better. Some types of beans are not well suited to espresso extraction and will actually produce a better cup when brewed with other methods.

All coffee can be benefited or hindered by brew/prep method, but the quality of the bean and it's roast have quite a bit of influence in the matter. Badly grown, processed and roasted coffee will not magically be made better by espresso extraction. It might actually end up worse because concentrating it can highlight it's flaws.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2015-09-11. Score: 2

In essence it's pressure, temperature and how coffee is generally ground for the method that make the difference.

Espresso forces water at high pressure (generally about 250PSI) and a specific temperature (generally between 92 and 94 degrees Celcius) through ground coffee. Percolator coffee relies on gravity to move water that's generally boiling (100 degrees) through coffee. The water temperature does make a significant difference because it is possible to burn coffee with water - which is one of the reasons that to many espresso drinkers filter coffee tastes burnt.

Grind makes a significant difference as well, Espresso coffee is generally ground finer than drip filter coffee which makes for a more intense taste for the volume of liquid. As per Chris' post, roast and been quality makes a difference - although I'd slightly disagree with Chris and say that it's more than a hindrance. The same bean ground for espresso and produced by an espresso machine and then ground for and produced by a drip filter will taste much different - and he's right in saying that it will highlight a really bad bean. It is also part of the skill of good baristas though that they know how to grind and extract almost any bean to get the best out of it, I know baristas who adjust for humidity though too so how far you can go is a guess for me.


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### Answer by username_6 on 2016-03-18. Score: 0

To me, espresso has a much better taste. I learned this overseas, where, in many countries, they make traditional, straight espresso. I know the modern American preference is coffee with lots of sugar and cream, but not for me.

I've used a cone filter at home with boiling water, to try to make espresso, but it tastes nothing like real espresso from a machine. That's why I just ordered two espresso makers, one for work and one for home.

The second answer seems to give a good reason for the difference. The high temperature must cause the burned taste.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: This post does not answer the original question regarding why expresso tastes differently.  
> **username_8**: I agree, this is not an answer, but an opinion. A downvote.  

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