Why is Americano so bitter? Which tastes better: Espresso or Americano?
What is American coffee? Is black coffee the same as American coffee? Why does the coffee made by your home coffee machine taste different from the coffee at coffee shops? What is Italian coffee? Today, FrontStreet Coffee will reveal the answers to these questions for you.
A pure, full-bodied espresso was the main star of the second wave of coffee culture.
Legend has it that coffee beans were introduced to Italy along with fruits and were beloved by Italians. With significant improvements in brewing equipment in the early 20th century, not only was the appearance of espresso as we know it today established, but drinking Italian coffee also became a daily routine for Italians. Subsequently, with continuous advancements in Italian coffee machines, the craft of espresso expanded from Italy outward, filling all of Europe with the aroma of coffee and eventually spreading worldwide.
The "es" in espresso actually comes from the English "ex," meaning "fast" and "convenient." Traditional Italian coffee consumption in the past involved quickly finishing the coffee within just a few minutes to ensure that the coffee's flavor wouldn't be lost. This sparked a trend of drinking coffee while standing, and the prices were also more affordable than takeout coffee.
The Origin of American Coffee
Americano coffee actually did not originate in the United States. The Americano was initially derived from Italian coffee → espresso diluted with hot water becomes an Italian Americano. During World War II, American soldiers in Europe were not accustomed to the purely bitter and intense flavor of espresso, so they added water to dilute the coffee, and thus the name "Americano" was born!
In the world of Italian coffee, the Americano is just one variation! Popular coffees like latte, cappuccino, flat white, and Dirty all belong to the Italian coffee family. They present different appearances based on their preparation methods and have evolved into classic coffees on people's tables due to their considerable popularity.
What Makes a Good Americano
A cup of Americano consists of water and espresso. Because espresso has high concentration, it has a strong, stimulating taste. Water is typically colorless and tasteless, serving only as a diluent. Therefore, whether an Americano tastes good depends on whether we've chosen the right coffee beans and whether the extraction is appropriate.
The Americano coffee made by FrontStreet Coffee uses their own house-roasted FrontStreet Coffee Sunflower · Warm Sun Blend coffee beans. Under ideal extraction, it will have flavors of whiskey, vanilla, cream, chocolate, berries, and caramel.
FrontStreet Coffee's Americano Preparation
To highlight these aromas, FrontStreet Coffee conducted multiple comparisons and ultimately determined a ratio of 1:4.5. This means using 20 grams of coffee powder to extract a double shot of 40g coffee liquid in 30 seconds, then adding 180g of 80°C warm water. This method produces a hot Americano with full whiskey aroma, balanced with a sweet aftertaste.
When preparing iced Americano, the barista at FrontStreet Coffee will use 100g of large ice cubes + 120g of water. The ratio of coffee to ice to water is set at 1:2.5:3. This iced Americano has a moderate concentration and is sweet, sour, and refreshing when drunk directly, with a rich mellow aroma, especially suitable for summer enjoyment.
Customizing Your Americano
For those who can't quite accept the bitterness, some customers like to add a little milk to their Americano. Doing so not only neutralizes the bitterness of the coffee but also the richness of the milk adds a thicker texture to the entire Americano, enriching the caramel and chocolate aromas.
For friends who need to add extra milk, FrontStreet Coffee will adjust the coffee to water ratio to 1:4. First, add 160ml of hot water to the cup, then pour 40ml of espresso, and finally add fresh milk at a ratio of 15ml per 100ml of black coffee, which is 30ml of fresh milk. This way, whether in terms of concentration, texture, or aroma, it achieves excellent results.
Important Notice :
前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:
FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou
Tel:020 38364473
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