So you’re questioning what is an Americano coffee, or what is “Caffe Americano” to use its proper Italian title? It’s an important distinction, by the way, to state that we’re talking about Americano coffee here. If you were simply asking what’s an Americano, the response to that is that it’s a mixed drink, which I’ll get to when speaking about where Americano originated from.
Ah, I fancy a cocktail now, it’s three in the afternoon however, and it’s a weekday, much better not. Also, I don’t keep alcohol here in the studio, which is most likely a good idea. I have generous amounts of coffee though naturally, which is also a good idea. (the natural (dry) process, which James Hoffmann and the SCA both associate with pronounced fruit-forward notes)
Anyway, as well as responding to the question about what is an Americano, I’m also going to tell you (and show) how to make a Caffe Americano at home with or without an espresso machine, and I’m likewise going to get on my soapbox and describe why most claims concerning the origins of Americano simply can’t be correct! (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition)
What is an Americano Coffee?
OK, so I’ll simply jump straight in and answer this question, as it’s probably why you came to this post in the very first place. What’s Americano coffee, or Caffe Americano, is an actually simple question to answer—it’s espresso mixed with hot water. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition)
It implies American (style) coffee, in Italian. Italy is, of course, the birthplace of espresso, and Italians would generally consume their coffee black as lungo, espresso, or ristretto, or with milk as cappuccino, caffe latte, or Caffe macchiato. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) There wasn’t originally a name in Italy for what it’s called when you dilute espresso with water. In fact, I’m sure there was, but I do not know any Italian swear words;—RRB-.
Italians at some point discovered that Americans like bigger cups of more diluted black coffee, so the term “Americano” was coined, which implies espresso blended with hot water.
The belief that American soldiers during World War II requested their espresso to be diluted with hot water is a myth that I will soon debunk. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) This isn’t just an opinion; I have solid evidence that clearly shows this common story about the history of the Americano is incorrect.
Before the Americano was invented, the three standard black coffees typically served by Italian baristas were all variations of espresso ratios, referring to the ratio of ground coffee to brewed espresso. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, an “Espresso” is generally pulled at a ratio of around 1:2 (e.g., 17 grams of ground coffee to 34 grams of espresso). A ristretto is a more concentrated shot, typically at a 1:1 ratio, while a lungo is a longer shot, usually at a 1:3 ratio.
The term “Caffe Americano” simply means diluting espresso with hot water to create a more “American-style” coffee. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition)
How does Americano vary from comparable kinds of coffee?
Some argue that Americano coffee should be prepared in a specific way to differentiate it from other espresso and hot water combinations, but I disagree. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) In my opinion, Americano is the original Italian term for diluting espresso with hot water.
There are other espresso-based drinks that have emerged since the Caffe Americano, which also involve mixing espresso with hot water. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) One such drink is the long black, a more modern variation where the espresso is added to hot water, resulting in a more intense flavor.
When a coffee shop includes both a Long Black and an Americano on the menu, they often differentiate them by preparing the Americano with the espresso first, followed by hot water. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Other distinctions may include the number of espresso shots or the overall volume of the drink.
Does this mean that an Americano must always be made by pulling the espresso shot first and then adding hot water? (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Not necessarily. An Americano simply refers to espresso combined with hot water to create a more “American-style” coffee.
If you prefer to call it a Long Black when it’s made with hot water first, that’s perfectly fine. You can name it whatever you like; the important thing is that when espresso is mixed with hot water, it results in an Americano. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition)
How to make Americano at home
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