Is there a way out?
If you love Americano and want to cook it at home, then I can still offer you options. Moreover, the good news is that it will be, on average, even cheaper than choosing a coffee machine for a cappuccino lover. But first, a little theory.
What is the difference between an Americano and an espresso? Canonically, in America, Americano is prepared using drip coffee makers, in which water is passed through the coffee under low pressure of 1-2 atmospheres, and the drink portion is 3-4 times larger than standard espresso - about 200 ml. Coffee makers, unlike coffee machines, cannot do everything themselves, so some of the functions must be done by a person, for example, grind (or buy immediately ground) coffee and pour it into the machine. Read more about the differences between coffee makers and coffee machines in the article “How to choose a coffee machine for your home?”
But here in Russia (and in Europe) Americano is prepared differently in coffee shops. The barista simply dilutes the prepared espresso with water from the steam tap.
The usual total volume of the drink is 160-180 ml, but any taste is allowed. An alternative “Scandinavian serving” is to add a single or double espresso to a cup of hot water (120 ml, but more is possible) to preserve a little of the cream foam.
This directly follows the first option for an Americano lover:
Namely, buy an automatic espresso coffee machine and bring the finished espresso to Americano condition using hot water from a steam tap or kettle.
In this case, any simple machines will suit you, the main thing is that they have a steam tap, which is often combined with a manual cappuccino maker. It is available on almost all coffee machines, with the exception of the cheapest ones, where they save on literally everything. On expensive models with automatic cappuccino makers, the steam tap is replaced with a nozzle for dispensing hot water; it does not produce steam, but it does provide hot water (which is exactly what we need). This attachment is used instead of milk jugs.
So that you don’t get confused in the store, I’ll explain what a steam tap looks like. Just like in the photo on the right →
For even greater clarity, compare the simplest Philips 8648 with, for example, the Philips HD8649 model. The first one does not have a cappuccino maker/steam wand and will not suit you. And everything that looks like the second model can be safely taken.
Here are a couple of examples of inexpensive models:
Contraindications
Coffee increases mental activity, excites and invigorates. But people with cardiovascular diseases and thyroid diseases are not recommended to drink it. Americano can increase blood pressure. Pregnant women who are at risk of miscarriage, as well as people with increased irritability, should not drink coffee.
Americano is not indicated for people suffering from constipation.
If caffeine is contraindicated for a person, then you can drink a drink with chicory. It tastes the same as coffee. It is completely harmless and is indicated for those who suffer from tachycardia and thyroid diseases. Decaffeinated coffee is also on sale today and is a very good substitute. This drink is served in many coffee shops in Europe and America, Russia and Asia.
Delonghi ECAM 22.110 / 21.117
