All new coffee enthusiasts tend to be intimidated by the menu at their local coffee shop so most stick to the familiar basics at the top. If adventure calls you to look further down the menu you will come across a traditional favorite, the Americano. Don’t shy away now, lets get right to it, what is an Americano?
Simply, Caffe Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. Sometimes two shots are used instead of just one.
How Does It Taste?
An Americano should have an intense flavor full of coffee notes as its base is an espresso. A good espresso comes with a layer of foam on top of the coffee which is the result of the pressure of water pushing through the coffee grinds. This foam is called “crema” and when mixed with water it adds to the flavor of the Americano.
Since you prepare the drink by adding hot water to espresso you can imagine the taste to be like the base of the espresso but softer and less potent. Americano has often been compared to simple black coffee.
What’s the Difference Between an Americano And a Black Coffee?
The Americano is like a distant cousin of regular back coffee. It’s not as potent as an espresso but has a richer, fuller flavor than a regular black coffee. Your black coffee will usually be made by a French press, a pour-over, or most commonly, a drip coffee maker that uses a coarse coffee grind. To make an Americano you need an Espresso machine that always uses a fine grind.
Another big difference between an Americano and a black coffee is the caffeine level of each drink.
Difference Between an Americano and a Long Black
A long black is an Americano where the hot water is added to the cup before the espresso.
What difference does that make in the coffee? Some say pouring the espresso on top of the hot water preserves the crema on top of the coffee. Personally, I haven’t found much of a difference between the two styles.
Caffeine Content
If you are trying to cut back on caffeine an Americano could be a good fit for your consideration.
According to RoastyCoffee.com, eight ounces of brewed coffee has between 95-200mg of caffeine, while a 1oz shot of espresso has only 47-75mg of caffeine. Since an Americano is made with one or two shots of espresso you can be sure that your caffeine intake is remaining lower than it would with your regular coffee.
Is Americano a Healthy Coffee?
An Americano is a great choice for starting the morning without doing damage to your diet. Made with two shots of espresso and filled with hot water this drink hardly makes a dent in your health routine.
How to Make an Iced Americano at Home?
What Is an Iced Americano?
In simple terms, iced Americano is an espresso, water, and ice. A cool drink with bold coffee flavor guaranteed to give you a kick of energy during summer days where a boiling hot coffee might not be the best choice of refreshment.
So, how does that make it any different from an iced coffee, you may be thinking.
How to Make Iced Americano?
To make a perfect iced Americano all you will need is an espresso, water, and ice. Look at these step-by-step instructions on how to get the coffee ready in just a few simple steps.
This drink is a summer treat for people who like real coffee flavor without the extra syrups or extract. It’s also a great fit for anyone looking to avoid excess sugar as you can enjoy the coffee with little to no effect on your diet.
Next summer, instead of reaching for an iced coffee try the iced Americano instead and let me know what you think.
Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee
Americanos have a full, bold coffee flavor whereas iced coffee tends to be sweeter. Depending on the recipe, ice coffee is usually mixed with syrup, vanilla extract, or sugar making the coffee more suitable for individuals with a sweet tooth.
If you enjoy the rich coffee flavor you are better off with an iced Americano.
Don’t forget, ice coffee will almost always have a higher level of caffeine than an this espresso-based drink. If you are looking to limit your caffeine intake try to avoid iced coffee in the future.
Last Thoughts
Originated – during WW2, when Americans were adding water to espresso to make the coffee taste more familiar.
Flavor – intense, full of coffee notes.
Caffeine – less caffeine than black coffee.
Health – Better choice over regularly brewed coffee.
It’s as simple as that. An Americano is a fabulous coffee made using an espresso machine. It has a stronger flavor than regular black coffee but less caffeine content per serving. Next time you are in a coffee shop and considering getting a black coffee, go ahead and try an Americano, and let me know what you think.
Related Questions
Does an Americano Have Milk?
Unlike most espresso-based drinks it doesn’t have any milk in it. While no one can stop you from adding milk, cream, or sugar to your Americano, it is never served with any form of dairy.
Is There a Name for an Americano with Milk?
The official name for this coffee with milk is “Latte Macchiato” or “Long Macchiato”. As you can imagine it’s a little more complicated than just coffee with milk. A barista will add espresso to steamed milk to make you this artisan coffee.
What Are Other Types of Espresso Drinks?
The most common types of espresso-based coffees are cappuccino and latte. Although, there are plenty more to learn as you dive deeper into the coffee community. I often refer to espresso as the first family of coffee because of the impact it’s had on the types of drinks we can order from coffee shops.
If you’re interested in more espresso-based drinks take a look at my article outlining some of the most famous ones.
I’ve always seen coffee as a way of bringing people together. Everywhere I go people seem to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and that’s what drives my passion. There’s always a new brew to master, and there’s always a new face to enjoy it with. Hitch a ride with me on a coffee-fueled adventure to find a perfect cup.
