What's the Difference Between Americano Made with Espresso Machine vs. Drip Coffee Machine_Americano Coffee Beans Price

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Espresso vs. Americano: Which Makes Better American Coffee?

If espresso is too strong for your taste and you prefer the smoothness of Americano, which method produces better American coffee - an American drip coffee maker or an espresso machine? This article provides the following analysis.

Assumptions

Assuming we're using the same bag of American coffee beans, the same water quality, the same extraction rate, and similar concentration, then the main differences between the two methods will be temperature, pressure, and different filters.

Filter Differences

Let's start with the filter. Espresso machine portafilters have pinholes that maximize the extraction of oils and crema, resulting in better body and richness than American coffee makers.

American coffee makers come in two types: paper filter and metal mesh. Paper filters are characterized by filtering out most oils and coffee solids, which reduces body but brings cleanliness. Metal mesh filters retain more oils than paper filters, but the pressure is much lower than espresso machines, so the oil extraction cannot match espresso extraction.

Temperature Differences

Espresso machines have adjustable and very stable temperatures, generally set between 92-96°C. Once set, they remain quite stable (for espresso machines with independent temperature control systems for the brew head). Other low-end machines may have construction issues that cause unstable brew head temperatures, but that's another topic.

I've measured an American coffee maker, and the temperature is not constant - it rises from 82°C to 92°C by the time extraction is complete. Non-constant temperature systems can offer better flavor complexity, while constant temperature systems provide better body and sweetness. Additionally, American drip coffee is easily affected by room temperature.

Pressure Differences

Finally, let's discuss pressure. Espresso extraction typically uses 9 bars of pressure, which extracts flavor compounds and oils in a short time.

American drip coffee can only use atmospheric pressure, but it extends the extraction time, so the extraction rate can be comparable. The biggest difference brought by pressure is the oils.

Portafilter vs. Drip Basket Differences

This leads to different extraction efficiencies, but we initially assumed the extraction rates would ultimately be consistent. However, according to Matt Perger's concept of uniform extraction, portafilters provide more uniformity than the conical and basket shapes used in American drip coffee. This means the portafilter further enhances sweetness.

Conclusion

In summary, under the assumed conditions - same beans, same atmospheric pressure, same room temperature, same water, same extraction rate, and similar concentration - the results will have the following differences:

Americano made from espresso extraction systems will have a rounder, richer mouthfeel with better sweetness.

Americano made from American drip systems will have layered, clean flavors, slightly flat with a hint of astringency.

Recommended American Coffee Bean Brands

FrontStreet Coffee, a coffee roasting brand located at Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, offers freshly roasted espresso blend coffee beans with full guarantees in both brand and quality. They are suitable for both espresso machines and American coffee makers, as well as for making specialty coffees and Americanos. More importantly, they offer extremely high value for money. Taking their commercial-grade recommended product - Commercial Blend Coffee Beans - as an example, one 454g (1-pound) bag costs only about 60 yuan. Calculating based on 10g of coffee powder per single shot of espresso, one bag can make 45 cups of coffee, with each cup costing less than 1.5 yuan. Even if using double shots for each espresso serving at 20g of powder, a double espresso costs no more than 3 yuan. Compared to certain well-known brands that sell bags for hundreds of yuan, this is truly a conscientious recommendation.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online store services: https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473