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What is an Americano?
If you walk into any coffee shop, you'll often see an Americano, or in some cases a Lungo, on the menu. The Americano is the coffee you get when you order a regular coffee.
The Americano coffee is a type of coffee that, like almost all types of coffee , is made with espresso as a base.
Grind your freshly roasted coffee beans , make an espresso with it, add some water, and you have an Americano… Right?!? Yes, that's pretty much right, but to make a truly delicious Americano, you have to pay close attention to the proportions.
In this article, I'll tell you all about the Americano, where it comes from, how it originated, and how to make your own Americano coffee at home.
What is an Americano
An Americano is an espresso-based coffee drink made with espresso and hot water. Also known as "Caffè Americano," it's a popular drink worldwide among those who prefer a milder coffee flavor.
An Americano is made by brewing an espresso and diluting it with hot water.
This gives the coffee a less intense flavour than a pure espresso, but retains the rich, full flavour that is characteristic of espresso.
The water ensures that the taste is closer to what people know from filter coffee.
For those looking for a stronger coffee experience, an Americano can be made with a double espresso shot.
This gives the drink more body and intensity, without it becoming too strong or bitter like a double espresso without water.
A double shot Americano is therefore a perfect choice for people who appreciate the taste of espresso, but want a little more volume in their cup of coffee without the taste being too sharp.
An Americano therefore offers an excellent balance between the rich taste of espresso and the smoothness of filter coffee, without the addition of milk or sugar.
When I first started my own personal coffee adventure, I was a big fan of the Americano. I loved making beautiful coffees with my semi-automatic coffee machine, but often found espressos too intense.
I've come back from that a bit now, but I've had a lot of Americanos in my life.
Also read: What is the difference between espresso and filter coffee?
How did the Americano come into being?
There are several theories about this, but the best stories are the ones that stick best. So I've chosen this wonderful historical account of the origins of the Americano.
Caffe Americano originated during World War II. The American soldiers who came to liberate Europe from Germany found the espressos in Italy far too strong.
So they came up with the idea of diluting the strong espresso with some water so that the coffee tasted a little closer to the 'drip coffee' they were used to at home.
This coffee specialty also originated in Italy. But Americanos aren't just enjoyed in Italy. This type of coffee can be ordered anywhere in the world. So, if you're looking for a regular coffee at an espresso bar, the Caffe Americano is what you're looking for!
Maybe redundant, but Americano means American in Italian ;-).
Also read: The history of coffee beans
What is the difference between an Americano and a Lungo
Sometimes you'll find a Lungo on the coffee menu instead of an Americano. A Lungo is also considered a "regular" coffee. The difference lies in the brewing method.
A lungo is essentially a longer-flowing espresso. You essentially brew an espresso and let it brew longer, resulting in a cup with more volume than an espresso.
The difference with the Americano is that the water is added afterward. This results in a better flavor and less bitterness.
I personally find the Espresso in Italy to be a lot more bitter than how we roast it here in our roastery.
What is the difference between a Long Black and an Americano
A Long Black and an Americano are two popular coffee drinks that are often confused with each other because they both consist of espresso and hot water.
Although similar in ingredients, the difference lies mainly in the preparation method, resulting in subtle differences in taste, texture and presentation.
A Long Black is usually associated with Australia and New Zealand. When making a Long Black, hot water is first added to the cup, after which the espresso is carefully added.
This helps preserve the "crema"—the golden-brown foam layer on top of the espresso. The Long Black has a richer and more intense flavor because the espresso isn't diluted by direct contact with a large amount of water.
An Americano, on the other hand, originated in the United States. With an Americano, the espresso is poured into the cup first, after which hot water is added.
This often causes the crema to disappear or at least become thinner, which affects the texture of the drink.
Because the water is added after the espresso, the Americano generally has a milder taste than a Long Black.
While both drinks have a similar strength and caffeine content, the way the water and espresso are combined can make a significant difference in the taste experience.
A Long Black has a more intense, pronounced espresso flavor, while an Americano is generally smoother and less concentrated.
For those who prefer a stronger coffee flavour without the full force of an espresso, a Long Black may be more appealing, while an Americano is ideal for those who want to soften the espresso flavour without adding milk.
I learned to drink the Long Black in Australia myself, because I wasn't a big fan of espressos at the time.
What I like about a Long Black is that you really taste the espresso, but you don't have that heavy mouthfeel.
How to make an Americano coffee yourself
Making your own Americano doesn't have to be difficult. All you need is an espresso machine, hot water, and a cup.
This is what you need
To make the perfect Americano, it's always best to follow a recipe or a specific ratio. In this case, the ratio of water to coffee.
In practice, there are several ratios generally accepted as Americano:
The 50/50. So, for example, with a double espresso shot of +/- 40 ml, you also add 40 ml of hot water. You still get a bit of the espresso effect, but much lighter.
Customized. Every barista makes their Americano differently. This depends on the coffee beans used for the espresso and the flavor profile you're looking for.
3:1 ratio. This produces a much milder coffee. You'll also get more coffee in your cup. So, if you like a full-bodied cup of coffee and don't want to taste too much "espresso," this might be your ideal ratio.
Get started yourself
Determine the espresso to water ratio you want to use and follow these steps:
Step 1: Making espresso
Choose coffee beans roasted for espresso. This isn't essential, but it will certainly give you the best results, especially for beginners.
Then grind coffee beans to the correct grind size where you can make an espresso shot with a flow time of 25-30 sec.
Tamp your ground coffee with the correct amount of force. This is approximately 20 kg.
Then place the portafilter in your espresso machine and brew your espresso.
Step 2: Boil the water to finish your Americano
You can simply do this in your kettle or use hot water from the boiler of your espresso machine.
Step 3: Mix and you're done!
It's that simple to make your own Americano!Also read: Making coffee like a real barista
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Americano just diluted coffee?
No, an Americano isn't just diluted coffee. It's an espresso to which hot water has been added to create a milder flavor without losing the richness of the espresso.
The extra water makes for a less concentrated flavour, but retains the character of the espresso.
Why is an Americano called an Americano?
The name "Americano" comes from a story from World War II, when American soldiers in Europe added water to their espresso to make it taste more like the filter coffee they were used to.
This is how the name "Caffè Americano" came into being.
Why add water first to an Americano?
Adding water first can change the texture and flavor of the Americano.
Adding water first can create a smoother, more even flavor, while adding espresso to water the other way around can sometimes create a stronger, more intense flavor.
What is a dry Americano?
A dry Americano contains less water than a standard Americano, making the drink stronger in flavor and closer to an espresso.
The term “dry” simply refers to the fact that less water has been added, resulting in a more concentrated flavor.
Why is the Americano considered an 'inferior' cup of coffee by some people?
Some people consider the Americano inferior because they prefer the pure, concentrated flavor of an espresso.
Adding water reduces the intensity of the flavor, which some see as a reduction in quality.
How much caffeine is in an Americano?
The amount of caffeine in an Americano depends on the amount of espresso used.
A standard Americano typically contains the same amount of caffeine as a single or double espresso, about 63 mg per shot of espresso.
Is an Americano a good choice for someone who finds espresso too strong?
Yes, an Americano is an excellent choice for people who find espresso too strong.
Adding water softens the intense flavor of the espresso, making the drink milder and more approachable without losing its signature taste.
Can water quality affect the taste of an Americano?
Yes, the quality of the water can significantly affect the taste of an Americano.
Water that's too hard or too soft can disrupt the flavor balance. Clean, filtered water contributes to a better coffee flavor.
How much caffeine is in an Americano?
As mentioned before, an Americano usually contains the same amount of caffeine as the amount of espresso used.
A single espresso contains about 63 mg of caffeine, and a double espresso contains about 126 mg of caffeine.
Can you make an Americano with a French press or a filter coffee maker?
Technically, no. An Americano is made specifically with espresso, while a French press or filter coffee maker doesn't produce espresso.
However, you can create a similar, lighter coffee by making less concentrated coffee using these methods, but it will not have the same flavor and texture as a true Americano.
Conclusion
An Americano is the coffee for anyone who loves the intense and complex flavour of a good espresso, but finds the espresso itself just a little too intense.
Or for when you just want a little more to drink than just a sip and a drizzle.
The Americano was created when American soldiers during World War II found the espressos in Italy far too strong.
So what did the Italians do? They added a little extra water to the espresso to tone down the intensity. That's how the name Caffe Americano came about.
The Americano isn't the same as, for example, the Lungo. The Lungo is literally a "stretched espresso," where the espresso is brewed longer than with traditional espresso.
There's also the Long Black, which you often find in New Zealand and Australia. I learned to drink it there. You won't find the term Americano here.
Luckily, making your own Americano at home is incredibly easy. First, make a good espresso and then dilute it with water, and that's it!
Are you a true Americano drinker, or do you prefer a traditional espresso?
