If you’re thinking of getting an espresso machine but you like regular coffee then you might be wondering whether or not you can make regular coffee with an espresso machine.

So, can espresso machines make coffee? No, espresso machines cannot make regular coffee. However, there are dual-purpose machines that you can get that make both espresso and coffee.

If your goal is to make espresso and regular coffee then I would recommend that you consider getting a dual purpose machine that will allow you to make both regular coffee and espresso. The one that I would recommend the most would be this one.

Additionally, even though espresso machines won’t make regular coffee, they can make Americano which has a very similar taste to that of coffee with the added benefit that you can make it much more quickly. Americano is where you simply add water to espresso.

What is the difference between espresso and regular coffee?

Espresso machines are designed to make coffee in a very different way to how regular drip coffee is made.

Espresso machines work by pushing hot and pressurized water through something called a portafilter which contains finely ground coffee. As the water passes through the coffee it picks up the oils from the coffee and it then pours into a cup located below the portafilter.

The brewing time of espresso is much shorter than that of regular coffee due to the highly pressurized water that espresso machines make use of.

Espresso will normally have a much richer taste than regular drip coffee because the water has a much higher concentration of coffee in it. It will also tend to have a more thick texture to it and will often come with something known as a “Crema” on top which is a creamy foam.

People will often complain that their espresso tastes sour or bitter. However, this is not supposed to be the case and if it does then it will mean that the coffee was under or over extracted.

On the other hand, drip coffee is made by pouring hot water over roasted coffee beans that have a more coarse grind than with espresso. The water then filters through the coffee and drips into a cup.

Even though espresso has a higher concentration of caffeine in it a standard serving of espresso will actually have less caffeine in it than with regular coffee due to its smaller serving size.

Below, is a good video that shows you what the differences are between regular coffee and espresso.

Can I make espresso with a coffee machine?

If you want to make espresso but you also like coffee then you might also be wondering whether or not you can make espresso with a regular coffee machine.

So, can I make espresso with a coffee machine? No, coffee machines are not designed to make traditional espresso.

The reason for this is that espresso is made by forcing pressurized water through finely ground coffee over a short time period. Regular coffee machines do not generate enough pressure to do this so they cannot make traditional espresso.

With that being said, there are some ways that you can use a coffee machine to make drinks that taste like espresso.

One of these ways is to use an Aeropress which will allow you to make espresso while also being able to make coffee as well.


What can espresso machines make?

In addition to being able to make Americano, espresso machines can also make a number of other popular types of drinks.

These can include:

  • Cappuccino (espresso topped with some steamed milk and a lot of foam)
  • Latte (espresso topped with a lot of steamed milk and some foam)
  • Macchiato (espresso shot added to steamed milk)
  • Ristretto (an espresso made with half as much water)
  • Lungo (an espresso where it is brewed with more water)
  • Long Black (water added to espresso

If you want to make espresso while also being able to make coffee then a Lungo and a Long Black also has a very similar taste to coffee.

The difference between a Long Black and an Americano is that a Long Black is where water is added to an already made espresso. Whereas, an Americano is where the espresso is added to the hot water.

Americano is supposed to have a slightly more sweet taste because by adding the espresso to the water it will allow for the crema to be preserved.

A Lungo is where the espresso is made by making the espresso with more water. The result of this that you will get a drink that is more of a half-way between a coffee and an espresso.

Do coffee and espresso combo makers make worse espresso?

If you want to make both espresso and coffee then you should consider getting a dual-purpose coffee and espresso maker.

By doing so you will be able to make both coffee and espresso the way that they are meant to be made.

Sometimes products that aim to be able to do multiple tasks end up not being able to do any of them very well at all and this can sometimes be the case with dual espresso and coffee makers.

If you are planning on making a lot of espresso on a daily basis perhaps because you will be getting it for a coffee shop then getting a single purpose machine for espresso would likely be a better option.

However, if you want to make espresso and coffee at home then getting a dual-purpose machine is less likely to be problematic. You’ll be unlikely to notice a difference in taste between a dual-purpose machine and a single purpose one for home use. It will also help you to save some space as well.

The dual-purpose machine that I would recommend the most would be this one on Amazon.


What coffee do espresso machines use? Espresso machines can use any type of coffee. However, they will most commonly use a coffee blend that has a dark roast and the coffee will be ground more finely when making espresso.


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