Dimitri Otis/Getty You don’t need to be a coffee expert to see there’s a difference between espresso and what we call “regular” coffee in the United States (also known as brewed or filtered coffee). Order an espresso and you’ll be served a small 2-ounce shot that’s packed with caffeine and a strong flavor punch, and if you order a cup of brewed coffee you’ll get an 8-12 ounce beverage (or something even larger) that’s a little gentler on the palate. But what exactly are the differences between espresso and filtered coffee? The main difference between espresso and ‘regular’ coffee is preparation