Americano coffee - what is it, recipe and methods of preparing the drink

Aromatic Americano coffee is popular in many countries around the world. It is offered in cafes and restaurants, and is brewed at home. According to the classic recipe, the drink is made on the basis of espresso. There are many other popular cooking methods. With their help, drinks are created that reveal their unusual taste and invigorate from the first sip.

What is Americano coffee

The basis of Americano is strong espresso. This is black coffee, served in small portions of 30 ml. Traditional serving includes a glass of cold water, which helps cleanse the taste buds and feel all the notes of the invigorating drink.

A classic Americano is made with thick espresso, to which hot water is added to a volume of 150 ml. With this method of preparation, the taste becomes soft, and the overall strength remains at the same level.

Americano appeared thanks to US military personnel who served in Italy during World War II.

The soldiers did not like the thick, concentrated espresso offered by the Italians. They turned to the barista with a request to dilute the strong liquid. The new product on the cafe menu is called Americano. It turned out that its taste depends on the characteristics of the combination of ingredients and additives (spices, alcohol, crushed ice, cream). Gradually the drink spread throughout the world. It should be distinguished from American coffee. In this case we are talking about a product prepared using a filter system.

Flavor profile

Americano has the same flavor notes as espresso, but due to dilution with water, the flavor and aroma are less vibrant.

Similar drinks Americano vs Filter coffee

Americano tastes like filter coffee, but is still inferior in quality. Americano remains popular among coffee shop owners because they can serve the same strength as filter coffee without having to buy additional equipment.

coffee filter

Filter coffee - on the menu of coffee shops can be found under the name: “black”. “regular” (“ordinary”), “batch brew” (from the English batch brew - “batch” of coffee brewed at one time).

Americano and filter coffee theoretically have the same concept. In both cases, this is a large portion of hot and not too strong black coffee. And the principle of preparation for drinks is very similar: hot water is poured through ground coffee. But, as always, the devil is in the details.

espresso extraction

An Americano is made using an Espresso machine, which uses high pressure to force hot water through ground coffee.

home filter coffee maker

When filter coffee is made, hot water flows through the ground coffee by gravity, without pressure, only under the influence of gravity. For this reason, the process of preparing filter coffee takes a little longer, but it is worth it.

Unlike Americano, filter coffee is a cleaner and more balanced drink.

Choosing a coffee type for Americano

The drink is made from several types of coffee beans (100% Arabica or Arabica with the addition of no more than 20% Robusta). Roast type: medium or dark. The darker the degree of heat treatment of the beans, the more bitter the liquid will be. Using Vienna roasted beans results in a soft chocolate flavor.

Italian and French roasted beans impart bitter notes.

General recommendations for selecting grain varieties:

1. To obtain a sour aftertaste, bartenders recommend mixing several varieties of Arabica.
2. A mixture of Robusta (10%) and Arabica will give a noble bitterness. This composition will increase the strength, and the resulting foam will be dense and persistent.
3. As the proportion of robusta increases to 20%, bitterness increases. Adding milk helps soften the taste.

OTHER VARIETIES OF AMERICAN COFFEE

Like our other products, the American Dream comes in many variations. We invite you to taste each of them to feel the fullness of the taste and identify the differences.

Cold Americano is prepared in the same way as the classic drink, the only difference is the addition of ice rather than hot water. Some even throw pieces of ice. And if you melt a few pieces of chocolate, then add them to a glass of frappe, you will get a wonderful cocktail.

Red Eye - also known as Canadiano - is a special type of drink made by adding espresso to regular coffee. It turns out to be a very strong, rich taste. For people with vascular problems or unstable heart rhythm, this coffee is strictly contraindicated.

With syrup

Everything is simple here: add the syrup that you like best, you will get a completely new drink. Try almond, chocolate, fruit or mint flavors; they most fully reveal and complement Bongiorno Light.

With cream

This type may be quite familiar, but who says that tasty means it’s difficult? Cream will add softness to Americano, and if you add cinnamon, it will actually be one of the best options for Bongiorno Sirocco.

With marshmallows

A delicious option, especially for the autumn period, is an American drink combined with marshmallows. The marshmallow-like dessert is reminiscent of marshmallows and will add sweetness to the drink. you don't even need sugar. You should start drinking when the marshmallows are slightly melted.

To the table of contents.

Characteristics

A description of the properties and features of its preparation is given in the table:

Should I add hot water from the coffee machine boiler or not?

If your espresso machine has a boiler, then you can of course pour hot water from it. But if you do not constantly pour boiling water from the coffee machine, the water will stagnate and acquire an unpleasant taste.

espresso coffee machine

However, if you constantly drain hot water from the boiler, the temperature of the water in the coffee machine will be unstable, which will prevent you from making delicious espresso.

It is better to prepare Americano from water heated in a kettle to 80 - 85 degrees. - the drink will be more enjoyable.

Recipe for a classic drink

First you need to brew espresso. For this, a coffee maker is used, the chamber of which maintains a pressure of 9 bar. It is necessary to turn on the machine and grind 1 tbsp. l. grains

For the horn apparatus you should:

• take 10 g of ground powder (3 tsp), compact it and install the horn in the device;
• place the heated cup on the grill of the unit under the tap to supply the finished liquid;
• turn on the device and set the cooking time to 20-30 seconds;
• wait until the cup is filled with espresso;
• add 120 ml of water heated to 90-92°C.

To cook in Turk you should:

1. Pour 2 tsp into the cezve. crushed grains and heat for 2 minutes over low heat.
2. Add 60 ml hot water and stir.
3. Bring the mixture until foam forms, but do not boil and remove from heat.
4. Repeat this procedure 3 times. Each heating time is 30 seconds.
5. Cover the pot with a lid to allow the sediment to settle.
6. After 5 minutes, strain, mix with hot water in a ratio of ½, ¼.

The classic recipe is based on water and grains.

Additives help complement the taste sensations:

• milk - muffles the aroma, reduces the strength;
• spices - add piquancy;
• liqueurs - add refreshing, fruity, spicy notes;
• caramel syrup, honey, sugar, marshmallows - used for sweetening.

Americano with syrup

The best syrups for Americano are considered not to be berry or fruit types, but coffee, chocolate, cream, caramel, and vanilla. And yet, the berry product – currant – is recognized as the most exquisite combination. That's why it's worth experimenting with unusual flavors, such as maple syrup or blueberry.

Composition of ingredients

The syrup gives Americano an additional flavor and can create a rather refined taste when used in doses. When choosing, they are guided by their own preferences, and in quantity they should adhere to the norm. For 200 ml of the finished product, use no more than 1.5 tsp. syrup. At the same time, be sure to take this amount into account when adding sugar, otherwise the Americano will become cloying.

Step-by-step cooking process

Americano coffee is a drink that always starts with espresso. The only difference in preparing a drink with syrup relates to thick formulations, like condensed milk. It is appropriate to place this additive at the bottom of the cup into which the espresso will drip. This way the coffee will evenly absorb all the flavor and aroma of the syrup.

If the base of the sweet additive is alcohol, it is also advisable to mix it with hot espresso to evaporate the alcohol - such a flavor is rarely appropriate in coffee. Any syrup dissolves better in warm liquids. Therefore, for cold cocktails, they are added in advance or mixed, diluted with a small amount of warm water.

In any other case, Americano is prepared in a convenient way, adhering to the classic recipe. The syrup is added at the end and mixed thoroughly with the base.

A few tips and secrets for making real Americano:

1. This type of drink will not work if you simply increase the amount of water passing through the coffee grounds. Thus, the time for its production increases significantly. The proportions will be the same, but this is a different drink that has received extra caffeine and a lot of resins from the beans. The taste of such coffee turns out to be excessively bitter with a burnt aftertaste.
2. The optimal time for preparing espresso does not exceed 30 seconds. A double shot of espresso is prepared in two batches. That is, cup by cup. If you double the amount of beans and water supply, the time will also increase, so you get the same effect of over-steamed coffee.
3. At home, it is recommended to follow the general rules: prepare espresso, and only then bring it to the required volume. This is the only way to get the real taste of Americano.
4. In the first 8 seconds of extraction, coffee gives off its sour notes, then chocolate and sweet tones are extracted for the same amount of time, and at the end bitterness appears. Therefore, any type of coffee can be slightly adjusted to suit you.
5. Starting to collect the drops in the cup after 9 seconds, gets rid of the sour taste. By removing the cup 20 seconds from the start of cooking, the product remains in the cup without bitterness.

Coffee, traditionally called Americano, is an invention of the Italians, and the recipe is improved and complemented all over the world. A simple, aromatic drink can be diluted with water or milk so that even those for whom coffee is contraindicated for medical reasons can enjoy the taste.

Types of Americano and methods of preparing it

The taste of the drink depends on the time spent preparing its base (espresso). The longer the cooking process, the more pronounced the bitterness becomes. There are several stages of grain extraction. During the first 9 seconds, substances that impart sourness are released from the raw material. Over the next 10-20 seconds, the aromatic liquid becomes saturated with chocolate shades. The last 20-30 seconds of cooking introduce notes of bitterness. Guided by this, you can adjust the taste of the finished product.

There are many options for preparing the drink. It is brewed based on the classic recipe or the composition is modified according to the situation.

The varieties include:

• ice - made on the basis of chilled water;
• “red eye” is brewed according to a similar procedure (however, liquid from a coffee filter is added to the strong base).

Italian recipe

It is necessary to brew espresso for 20-25 seconds according to the recipe described above, then pour the same volume of water heated to 90°C into the cup. The foam disappears during mixing.

Swedish version

The difference in the preparation technique is that espresso is added to hot water, and not vice versa. According to experts, the Swedish drink is more delicate.

Double portion

The technology and brewing time in a coffee machine or Turkish coffee machine do not change. To get a double Americano, you need to double the number of beans and the volume of added liquid.

With cream or milk

To prepare, dilute espresso with hot water in a ratio of 1 to 3. Separately, beat 50 ml of warm milk (cream) with a mixer and add the foamy liquid into the coffee.

You should not add fermented milk products (yogurt, kefir).

Adding marshmallows

Add water to the espresso brewed in 25 seconds (temperature 88-92°C, volume 100-150 ml) and add sugar. Place marshmallow pieces on top and serve.

With refreshing mint notes

The taste of mint Americano contains piquant, fresh notes. To obtain it, add a few young mint leaves to a product cooked according to a classic, Swedish or Italian recipe. Can be served after 5 minutes.

Sweet and honey

Melt 20 g of honey (buckwheat, linden, chestnut) and pour the nectar into a heated cup, add coffee cooled to 45-55°C. You can use cream or milk foam for decoration. Honey bee product will replace sugar or caramel syrup. It will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of viral diseases. Additionally, you can add spices, add lemon, cinnamon.

With hot chocolate

To prepare:

1. Cool the classic drink, supplemented with sugar and spices if desired.
2. At the same time, melt 3 cubes of dark chocolate and add a little hot water.
3. Pour in the chocolate mixture, stir and cool again.
4. Place the cup in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Ice coffee with cream

Cream is added to Americano for taste and to soften its effect on the body. The fatty dairy product suppresses the sourness well and makes the drink slightly sweet. This method is suitable for those who limit carbohydrates in their diet or struggle with excessive stomach acidity.

Composition of ingredients

Cream is chosen at your discretion. The most delicious Americano will be obtained with the addition of a product containing more than 20% fat. But if you need to strictly monitor calories, you can use any other option.

Ingredients:

• ground coffee – 6 g;
• granulated sugar – 6 g;
• drinking water – 170 ml;
• pasteurized cream – 20 g;

The calorie content of a serving of the drink when using 10% cream will be about 48 kcal. Based on this, you can change the amount or completely remove sugar, and choose a suitable dairy product.

Step-by-step cooking process

Americano coffee is a drink that is drunk both hot and chilled. There are also several ways to make a creamy Americano. Using the recipe as an example, we consider a variant of a cold tonic drink - Ice coffee.

Preparation:

1. Americano, pre-mixed according to the classic recipe, is left in the refrigerator for several hours.
2. Add low-fat cream to the cooled drink.
3. It is better to stir the sugar into the still hot Americano.
4. The drink is ready to be served.

Another mixing option does not require long preparation and waiting. A cold Americano is made from boiling espresso using ice.

Necessary steps:

1. A tall glass is filled with ice.
2. Pour in a freshly brewed shot of espresso (or several).
3. Add cream to the desired volume.

You can do the same with a finished serving of Americano by pouring it into a glass with ice and then adding cream. There is no need to wait for the drink to cool completely for several hours. Various syrups, liqueurs, and strong alcohol are often combined with such cocktails. Adding rum or brandy works well.

The difference between Americano and other types of coffee

The drink reveals the flavor nuances of the raw materials used in cooking. It can have a chocolate, caramel, floral or smoky flavor.

The difference between the drink and other types of coffee:

1. From espresso. Strong coffee has a more bitter taste and is made from medium-ground coffee. There is always foam on its surface. For Americano, you can use medium-ground beans. The presence of foam is optional.
2. From Lungo. As this coffee brews, the liquid slowly passes through a layer of ground beans, resulting in a rich flavor. The finished lungo is distinguished by its high strength, strong and persistent aroma.
3. From cappuccino. When making cappuccino, frothed milk is added to espresso. It has a low strength and a soft creamy taste. If you combine milk foam and Americano, the product will be more aromatic and stronger.

Serving rules

Americano is served after meals. When offering a drink, you need to give guests the opportunity to independently adjust the strength of the coffee. Along with the filled cups, you need to place a jug of hot water on the table. This is considered the safest and most correct submission.

Americano is consumed slowly. You can't drink it like espresso in one sip. Therefore, coffee is served in a large latte mug with 2-3 stickers of sugar.

As a compliment, it is acceptable to put meringues, sweets, and cookies on the saucer. Sweet donuts, chocolate desserts, fruits, and cheese are served as a snack with coffee. The drink also goes well with sweet and savory pastries, puddings, and cakes.

Calorie content of Americano and its effect on the body

A cup of espresso or Americano has the same amount of caffeine. However, in a drink diluted with water, its concentration is lower, which makes the taste more harmonious. In the basic version, 100 ml of aromatic liquid contains 9.5 kcal, 0.6 g of protein and fat, and 0.7 g of carbohydrates. It contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, PP vitamins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additives increase the caloric content and nutritional value of the drink.

Americano contains a sufficient amount of water, so it does not cause dehydration. Its benefits include antioxidant and tonic properties, and a mild diuretic effect. Regular consumption (1-2 servings per day without additives) speeds up metabolism and promotes weight loss.

People suffering from hypertension and heart disease are recommended to replace it with chicory.

Origin of the name

The recipe and the name “Americano” were invented by Italians as an insult or humiliation to Americans who prefer traditional American filter coffee to noble Italian espresso. During World War II, American soldiers in Italy searched every bar for the “cup of Joe” (a slang word often used in the US to describe coffee) that they were accustomed to at home. Local baristas tried to make a drink that met their expectations using an espresso coffee machine, and thus invented a completely new drink that is now very popular.

It is noteworthy that in the United States itself, the Americano drink was not known until the emergence of the Starbucks cafe chain in the 1990s.

How is Americano served?

It is customary to drink coffee in one gulp, so when serving it, use transparent latte glasses and cocktail straws. Serve with a sugar bowl and a candy bowl with marshmallows. The low quality of the prepared drink is indicated by white spots on the foam and an empty taste with a pronounced sour aftertaste. This indicates that the cooking time has been increased.

On the road and at work, it is convenient to drink coffee from a paper cup through a straw (as they offer at McDonald's). It goes well with liqueurs, chocolates, cheeses, donuts, and savory pastries. This is a tonic drink that is prepared in different ways. Light and delicate in taste, it will be an alternative to latte, cappuccino, and other types of coffee.

Americano at home

Buy quality coffee beans, Turkish coffee and, if necessary, sugar.

Take coffee and pour it into a coffee grinder. Try to keep the grind fine. Now, pour the resulting coffee into the Turk. This is two teaspoons per mug. If you drink sweet coffee, then add the required amount of sugar. Pour cold water into the Turk, stir well so that there are no air bubbles. Turn on low heat and brew coffee.

As the coffee begins to boil, foam will form on the surface and rise. You need to be as careful as possible with it so as not to damage it. Don't let the coffee run away.

When you see the foam rising, immediately remove the Turk from the stove. Set aside and wait a few minutes. After literally a minute has passed, you need to repeat the same thing. After this, pour into a cup. Wait until it brews and enjoy the prepared drink.

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