FOOD NEWS
What Is An Americano Coffee, And Why Is It Called That?
By Carly Weaver
There are countless ways of enjoying a cup of coffee, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, red eye, flat white, and the list goes on so long that you need a coffee just to look at it. Amid all this chaos, one of the most straightforward orders besides a black coffee is an Americano.
This morning beverage is made up of espresso and water, and although the ratio can change based on the drinker's preference, it is typically equal parts or a 1:2 ratio of espresso to water. The Americano falls between black coffee and a clear-cut espresso as it's diluted with water while still being a pure version of coffee, untainted by steamed milk, foam, or sugar.
There is some dispute in its preparation process, but Nescafe maintains that an authentic Americano is made by pouring espresso first and then topping it with hot water. This allows the 'crema' (aka that velvety brown foam that forms on the top of an espresso shot) to mix into the drink rather than sit on top, mellowing out its flavor.
The name, Americano, originated in World War II when the American soldiers stationed in Italy had trouble adjusting to the strong, bitter espresso that was (and still is) a staple there. So, to mimic the drip coffee they were used to, they watered down the espresso to cut out some of that bite, resulting in Caffé Americano — which is simply Italian for American Coffee.