How to Make American Coffee Taste Better? What's the Difference Between Americano and Espresso Coffee?

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Espresso and Americano are often seen on menus, but what exactly is the difference between them? Next, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce you to the differences between espresso and Americano coffee.

Espresso

Espresso is primarily brewed using espresso machines and moka pots. The basic coffee produced by these brewing methods is commonly known as ESPRESSO in Chinese, meaning espresso coffee.

Espresso Machine: High-Pressure Extraction

Espresso machines typically feature boilers that pressurize hot water and force it through coffee grounds to extract coffee, hence they are also called pump coffee machines. The coffee brewed by this high-pressure hot water is more concentrated and has emulsified oils, commonly called espresso or concentrated coffee.

The principle involves appropriate pressure and 90-degree hot water quickly passing through coffee grounds (typically 25-30 seconds) to extract coffee liquid (about 30cc). Therefore, it is generally very concentrated (three times the concentration of regular black coffee).

ESPRESSO is also typically the base for all espresso drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos, caramel macchiatos, etc., which are products created by adding different ingredients.

Americano Coffee

Americano coffee, as generally understood, refers to the common American drip coffee machines found in household appliances. Coffee grounds are placed in a filter cup, and the machine automatically drips the coffee when plugged in and switched on. This is what we generally call Americano coffee.

Americano Coffee Machine: Atmospheric Pressure Extraction

Americano coffee machines typically have two layers - the upper layer is a funnel-shaped container with filter paper or metal filters, while the lower layer is a glass or ceramic coffee pot. Americano coffee machines also allow hot water to pass through coffee grounds into the coffee pot below to extract coffee, but the difference is that the hot water is at atmospheric pressure. Besides brewing coffee, they can also be used to make tea.

The time depends on the number of cups and water volume. The concentration adjustment varies based on your water amount and coffee grounds quantity; however, Americano and espresso have very different taste profiles.

Additionally, espresso was first popularized in Europe. When it spread to the United States, because Americans were accustomed to the lighter taste of Americano coffee, they diluted the ESPRESSO from espresso machines with hot water to reduce its concentration. That's why you might sometimes see something called Americano coffee on café menus.

The factors affecting caffeine content include bean variety, contact time between coffee and water, and the amount of coffee used - all are closely related.

In terms of brewing time and coffee grounds amount, espresso does not necessarily have higher caffeine content than Americano coffee, but this can vary depending on the coffee beans used.

FrontStreet Coffee's "Premium Blend" is excellent for making both espresso and Americano coffee. It features bright yet gentle fruit acidity, captivating chocolate and nutty flavors in the middle, and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste, all of which are highly appealing.

Important Notice :

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