We are all big fans of coffee - that comforting hot drink gets us up and going every single morning. However, when it comes to one's favorite style of coffee, different people have different opinions, and most of them will choose Americano Coffee or Italian Coffee – these two styles of coffee are so ever-present that finding a café without them on the menu would be quite unusual. What's the difference between them? What makes them so popular? Today we'll talk about Americano Coffee first.

What Is Americano Coffee?

Its name comes from the Italian Caffè Americano, which means "Americano Coffee", although it is also often called simply "Americano". It is a type of coffee drink prepared by diluting an espresso with hot water (the ratio of espresso to water is normally around 1:2), giving it a similar strength to, but different flavor from, traditionally brewed coffee. The strength of an Americano varies with the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added. The caffeine content in Americano is much lower than that of a regular cup of black coffee, and Americano usually does not contain any milk or sugar.

Generally, the Americano Coffee is a perfect substitute for those who want the taste of espresso without fully indulging in its strength - you can have your caffeine and enjoy it, too.

Soldiers and Coffee

It is believed that Americano Coffee was created in Italy during World War II. At that time, Italians offered two types of coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino. However, American troops stationed in Europe weren't used to the intense flavor of Italian Espresso – they preferred the drip-brewing coffee with added milk for a lighter flavor, and Cappuccino was more suitable to their tastes. Nevertheless, Cappuccino was less than satisfactory - its size was smaller for Americans, as they were used to a 16oz cup serving while Cappuccino was only 5oz. Soon, local coffee shops started serving shots of espresso in full-size coffee cups and filling up the rest with hot water. Sugar and milk could be added then to cater to the taste of different people. Word spread quickly about this drink, and it was dubbed the "Americano". When these soldiers returned home they brought the Americano back with them. Since then, this espresso-based drink has become popular around the world.

Crema Debate

Crema is a light layer of oily foam that forms on top of the espresso when it is made. It has a thick, dense consistency and lights brown color. Crema is produced when the hot water meets with finely ground beans in an espresso machine at just the right temperature (195-205 degrees Fahrenheit).

Crema has its own advantages. For example, it contributes to the flavor profile that distinguishes coffee beverages; it also stabilizes foam on some drinks such as a Cappuccino and Latte.

Some people will remove the foam because they think it messes with the flavor of the espresso, while others will keep it because, for them, it enhances the taste. Of course, there is also someone who doesn't care if it has it or not.

How to Make a Cup of Americano Coffee?

The preparation of this drink is very easy and takes little time. Just brew your espresso and then add hot water. Most people prefer to add two shots of espresso per one cup of hot water.

Americano is best served black. However, if this is too strong for your palate, you may add milk and sugar to get the desired taste.

Americano can also be made in an iced form, which is the perfect drink to cool you down on a hot summer afternoon. The main difference is that cold water is added instead of hot. As the brewed espresso will be piping hot, you should seek to add a few extra ice cubes to enjoy an Iced Americano at its finest.