The word Americano comes from the Italian Caffe Americano, which means "American coffee." This method of making coffee, based on a mixture of hot water and espresso, has become widespread on the North American continent.
The drink was invented in Italy during the Second World War for the US military and was an analogue of the famous regular drink. Due to the low concentration of caffeine and mild taste, Americano has become an independent drink, not inferior in popularity to latte and cappuccino.
Features of the preparation and connection with espresso
In addition to the classic recipe, the barista offers several options for preparing an invigorating coffee drink:
- hot water is added to the ready-made espresso, while the coffee foam does not appear;
- espresso is added to hot water, which contributes to the formation of lush foam;
- coffee and hot water are served separately and mixed in different proportions and in any order.
True gourmets and connoisseurs of exotic coffee flavors add alcohol, aromatic syrups, milk, nuts, cinnamon. Milk gives a creamy aftertaste, and fruit liqueur gives sweetness.
Americano and espresso are prepared on the basis of ground coffee. The difference between the drinks is in the preparation methods, the amount of water and the strength. Americano tastes much better and is easier to drink.
Important! Traditionally, espresso, which is the basis for Americano, is prepared under a pressure of nine bar. The temperature should be less than one hundred degrees.
How to make americano in a coffee machine
Almost all automatic coffee machines are equipped with programs for making both Americano and espresso. But the presence of these two buttons on the dashboard does not mean that the drinks will be tasty and aromatic. Even a high-quality coffee machine with an automatic cappuccino machine is not designed for Americano, despite the fact that the cappuccino or latte turns out to be quite tasty.
The best option is to buy an espresso machine and make Americano manually using hot water from a steam faucet or kettle. You need to brew about 50-60 ml of espresso and dilute it with 100 ml of water. With this proportion, the taste is saturated.
Classic recipe
The Americans themselves are preparing a coffee drink in drip (filtration) coffee makers. Lack of pressure reduces the amount of caffeine and softens the taste.
You can cook Americano according to the classic recipe in a coffee maker or an ordinary Turk:
- finely ground coffee is mixed with sugar and heated in a Turk over low heat;
- add warm water and bring the mixture to a boil;
- remove from heat and mix the drink thoroughly;
- set the fire on the Turk again and wait for the water to boil;
- leave the finished coffee under a closed lid for several minutes so that the precipitate settles to the bottom;
- boiling water is poured into a cup and waiting for the water to cool;
- hot water is poured into a pre-made espresso.
Reference! Ice americano is made with cold water.
Tips for making americano in a coffee machine
In Russian catering establishments, visitors are usually offered a coffee drink, passing it off as Americano.
It is prepared by increasing the extraction time of coffee beans (the duration of the strait is doubled: from 25 seconds to 50 seconds). The resulting drink has a burnt aftertaste, after drinking a cup in the mouth there is an unpleasant aftertaste. In addition, this Americano contains carcinogens and resins.
Sour aftertaste suggests that the drink is made from low-quality or expired grains. White spots on the surface of the cream appear with a high caffeine content.
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