What is espresso concentrate?

What is it?

Let’s kick off with the most obvious question- what is it??

It is essentially a coffee extract, which is five times stronger than a standard espresso.

But how does it work?…

Well, imagine when you are making your glass of apple and blackcurrant squash. What’s the first step? Adding the cordial to the glass and then topping it with water. Well, this coffee concentrate works in the same way.

How long has espresso concentrate been a thing?

Although we have only seen these in supermarkets since Spring 2025, they have actually been in the commercial industry since the early 2000s. Praised for their diverse use, they have sneakily been in desserts, cocktails and even cold brews for years. But why has it taken so long for them to enter the market for consumers?

Well, we think this is largely down to the fact that the demand just wasn’t there. If you cast your mind back to how simple coffee was 20 years ago, to see a plain iced vanilla latte on a café menu was seen as revolutionary. Nowadays, you can get pretty much anything iced, and don’t get us started on all those flavoured syrups!

It also comes at a time when a latte will now cost you at least £4, even at chains. People are trying to avoid this daily cost, and a coffee concentrate could be their answer to getting that barista-style coffee without the price tag. A 500ml bottle of this concentrate will get you a whopping 15 cups of coffee, and with an average price of £5, it’s a no-brainer.

How is coffee concentrate made?

Well, these coffee concentrates can be made in various ways, but they’re typically developed with a cold extraction method. This slow method produces a thicker, maple-syrup style textured coffee concentrate.

This method also removes many of the fruity flavours found in coffee, leaving behind those rich, chocolatier flavours. This is one of the reasons why it packs such a punch.

Why do people use espresso concentrate?

These coffee concentrates are becoming increasingly popular as they are the ‘lazy’ way of making coffee. Rather than going through the whole process of brewing your espresso or cafetiere for your iced latte, you can now add a splash of this pre-made coffee extract, and you’re done.

You can even get flavoured ones, which means that it saves you a step if you like a coffee with a dash of flavoured syrups.

They can also be used in cocktails and even as a substitute in coffee shops for a traditional espresso shot when making the basics.

What are the benefits?

The main benefits are speed and convenience. You can now quickly and easily prepare a delicious cup of coffee without the hassle of using a brewing device.

This is a game changer for people on the go or who enjoy a rich-tasting cup but want to avoid instant coffee, as this concentrate still captures the essence of an espresso.

What’s the catch?

Well, for us, it’s definitely not a substitute for your usual morning brew made the traditional way. It’s like swapping your morning glass of orange juice for orange squash, it just isn’t the same!

We understand the concept and why it is gaining popularity. But when brewing devices like the AeroPress or the Hario Cold Brew Coffee Pot exist, which have been created with simplicity in mind, we can’t get on board.

Regarding the price point, when you break down how many espressos you get from one bottle, you get the same from one of our standard 250g bags. With our coffee subscription service, you’ll also save £1 on your coffee, receive a free storage tin and magnet, enjoy free Tracked24 delivery sitewide, and save 10% off sitewide. So, we will let you decide which one sounds like a better deal…😉

We also offer only speciality Arabica coffee, which has been freshly roasted and ethically sourced. In comparison, these coffee concentrates you see in the supermarket aren’t specialty, and aren’t even stored in the fridge, which gives you an idea of their freshness!