The Americano

When it comes to coffee, Italians are what Parisians are to the French language: elitists. And why shouldn’t they be? They pioneered the world of modern coffee. They may not have invented it (although they did invent the espresso machine), nor do they grow it, but they can sure make a mean cup of Giuseppe. And they’ve managed to teach us a little Italian along the way! 

Now, the United States has a history of being a bit conservative in the degree of our flavor profiles, likely due in part to our general melting pot of cultures, allowing us a little exposure to a lot of different tastes. So as Americans began traveling over to Italy in the early 20th century, our fra-gee-lay tongues were in for a real shock. After finding a nice, quaint cafe, tourists (often in the form of soldiers) would order a coffee and be surprised when they were handed a small cup of what looked like soupy mud. After a bit of deliberating and wondering whether they were getting scammed, they confidently cocked that thing back. What happened next was essentially what happens to teens trying their first jello shot, immediate regret. The Italians took notice of our behavior and decided to do what any good bartender does when they smell an amateur. They watered that bad boy down, christening the beverage the Caffe Americano. Or something like that anyways, the exact history is unclear.

So what exactly is an Americano? Well, its an espresso with extra water, that’s about it. It has a similar flavor strength to traditionally brewed coffee, but with the flavor profile of espresso. One or two shots of espresso is typically used, with a ratio of 1:1 or higher of water added for dilution (typically higher ratio). This beverage is meant to be consumed without any milk. If you’re from or have been to Australia, you may have heard of the Long Black. This drink is very similar to the Americano, although the order bares importance, requiring the espresso to be poured into a cup of water. Conversely, a Short Black is an espresso. The benefit of adding the espresso to a cup of water is that you maintain the crema!

If you’re looking for the flavor of espresso, but aren’t in the mood for the strong taste, the thicker viscosity, or just want something to sip on for longer, then the Americano is an excellent choice. It’s also a great starting point for someone looking to dip their tongues into the world of espresso. Another use for the Americano style is for beans that are particularly strong served espresso, or lighter roasts, which can be overpowering. However, the amount of water is still minimal, and is used simply to get the espresso to the point where it is drinkable, rather than for general dilution.