One of the most common questions we get is a version of the same thing: "I bought your coffee and it didn't taste right in my machine."
Nine times out of ten, the coffee itself is fine. The problem is that it was roasted and ground for a different brewing method than the one being used.
So before you buy your next bag, it is worth understanding the real difference between espresso and filter coffee, because it is bigger than most people expect.
It's not just about strength
A lot of people assume espresso is simply "stronger" filter coffee. It isn't.
Espresso and filter are different brewing methods entirely, using different grind sizes, different water contact times and, ideally, different roast profiles to get the best result.
Filter coffee sits in contact with water for several minutes at a coarser grind. Espresso forces water through a much finer grind in under 30 seconds at high pressure. Those are very different jobs, and a coffee that excels at one can disappoint at the other.
Why roast level matters
Lighter roasts tend to preserve more of a coffee's original acidity and delicate flavours, which can be wonderful in a filter brew where you have time to appreciate them.
Put that same light roast through an espresso machine and that acidity can come across as sharp or sour, rather than bright and interesting.
Medium and darker roasts tend to translate better into espresso, building the body, sweetness and gentle bitterness that a good shot needs.
This is exactly why we roast some coffees specifically with espresso in mind, and others specifically for filter brewing.
Grind size, in plain terms
If you take one thing from this article, make it this: grind size should match your brewing method.
- Espresso needs a fine grind, close to the texture of table salt or finer.
- Filter methods such as V60, batch brew or Chemex need a coarser grind, closer to sea salt or sand.
- Cafetiere needs coarser still, so the grounds don't pass through the plunger.
If you buy whole bean, we can grind to order at checkout to suit whichever method you actually use.
What to check before you buy
When choosing a bag, look for two things: does the roaster tell you what the coffee is roasted for, and does the flavour description match what you actually enjoy drinking?
A coffee labelled clearly for espresso should give you the rounder, chocolatey, more forgiving cup that machine needs. A coffee labelled for filter should be allowed to show off brighter, fruitier or more complex notes.
If a bag doesn't say either way, it is worth asking before you buy, especially if you are buying online rather than in person.
Can you use filter coffee in an espresso machine, or vice versa?
You can, but you are unlikely to get the best result.
Filter-roasted coffee, ground fine for espresso, can taste thin and overly acidic. Espresso-roasted coffee, brewed coarse as filter, can taste flat and one-dimensional, missing the brighter notes a lighter roast would usually offer.
It won't ruin your morning, but it is a bit like using the wrong tool for the job. You'll get a result, just not the one the coffee was capable of.
If you're not sure which you need
Think about your machine first, then your grinder, then the coffee.
An espresso machine at home almost always means you want espresso-roasted coffee, ground fine. A drip machine, cafetiere or pour-over device means filter-roasted coffee at a coarser grind.
If you use both, at different times of day, it is completely normal to keep two bags on the go, one for each.
Shop by the way you actually brew
Browse our full coffee range, or start with our bestsellers if you would rather we pointed you in the right direction.
And if you're still not sure, get in touch and tell us your machine. We would genuinely rather point you towards the right bag than have you disappointed with the wrong one.