What is the difference between espresso and americano: which is stronger, cooking recipes

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Coffee is a truly enchanting drink, with a centuries-old history. The birthplace of the berry from which this drink is made today is Ethiopia. It was there that the first legend about the discovery of coffee beans was born.

Coffee history

According to legend, a shepherd named Kaldim lived in Ethiopia long ago. One day, while doing his job, he noticed how his goats ate unknown berries of a wild bush and after that became energetic and lively until late at night. Then Kaldim decided to try to make a decoction of these unknown berries himself, and the result was not long in coming. The young man noticed how fatigue began to pass, and it was replaced by a good mood and cheerfulness.

Then the shepherd shared his discovery with a local monk, who, in turn, having experienced the miraculous properties of coffee, ordered all his wards to drink this decoction of berries. So, according to an ancient legend, the centuries-old history of coffee began. After the 14th century, the berries became widespread and became popular around the world.

In 1819, the French scientist Runge, having studied the composition of the coffee bean, isolated from it the now widely known caffeine. Having revealed all the beneficial properties of this substance, they began to introduce it into medicines and food. Today, caffeine-based drugs can cure many ailments.

Varieties of coffee beans

About a thousand years have passed since the discovery of coffee berries. During this time, hundreds of recipes for making a great drink have appeared. Before describing the classifications of coffee drinks, it should be noted that coffee is primarily divided into varieties of berries, their place of cultivation and the subsequent degree of roasting.

The most popular types of coffee beans are Robusta and Arabica.

Arabica coffee is considered the oldest variety of coffee berries and contains more than 55 subtypes of coffee crops. All of them differ from each other in terms of growing area and taste. Arabica has a velvety and mild flavor.

Robusta grains have a rather sharp taste and a lot of caffeine. In its pure form, a drink from such a berry is rarely consumed because of its bitterness and strength. A clear advantage of this variety is unpretentiousness in the growing process and low cost. Robusta is also rich in amino acids and oils.

Main types of espresso and americano

Despite all the nuances and taste of coffee beans, an important criterion in choosing a drink will be itsvariety. An unlimited variety of coffee types came to Russia from the Middle East, from France and Italy. The most popular are double espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte and just espresso.

• The basis for any drink will be espresso. This is a type of coffee, which is characterized by fine grinding and the use of blended beans in the preparation. Traditionally, espresso is drunk after a meal in a miniature 50 ml cup. You can drink a drink with non-carbonated water.
• Dopio is double the caffeine content of espresso.
• Lungo is a coffee drink that combines the properties of Americano coffee and espresso. The volume of the drink is the same as that of an American, and the caffeine content remains the same as that of an espresso. Most often drink lungo after a meal.
• Americano is the second most popular coffee drink. After making espresso, coffee is diluted with water to increase volume. You can drink the drink with sugar, milk or cream.
• Ristretto is the strongest of all coffee drinks. For 25 ml of water, 6 grams of coffee is taken, which makes the drink very strong. Ristretto is widely used in Italy, where it is customary to drink it after meals with a glass of cool water.

What is the difference between espresso and Americano

The main difference between drinks is volume and strength. In Americano, despite the large volume, the taste and aroma is less pronounced and deep, due to the dilution of coffee with water. Espresso, on the other hand, is famous for its strength and rich taste. Answerto the question: "Which is stronger, americano or espresso?" It's also easy to give. Based on the fact that espresso has the same amount of coffee, but less water, this coffee drink will be stronger than the American counterpart.

The drinking culture of espresso and americano is also different. If Americano can be drunk both hot and chilled, adding milk, sugar or cream to the drink, then its Italian counterpart should traditionally be consumed only hot, washed down with still water. Also, a properly brewed espresso must have foam, which confirms the high quality of the drink and the correctness of its preparation; in Americano, this criterion is optional.

Espresso recipes

Making coffee is a separate art form, with its own subtleties and nuances. But one way or another, all espresso recipes are based on the traditional preparation of this coffee drink. But there is a difference. So what is the difference between espresso and americano? The difference is that traditionally espresso does not need any additives. But if you really want it, you can add alcohol to it, add sugar, cream, milk or ice cream.

Classic espresso recipe

Ingredients per serving:

• 20g very finely ground coffee, dark roasted;
• 50ml drinking water.

Cooking process:

1. To prepare coffee in a coffee maker, first rinse the cone with boiling water, pour ground coffee into it and smooth it out.
2. Insert into coffee maker.
3. To prepare one serving of espresso in a Turk, pour 20 g of coffee with water, put the Turk on the fire, wait for the drink to boil and remove from heat.

Espresso with tequila

Ingredients per serving:

• 20g fine coffee;
• 50ml water;
• 30ml tequila;
• 20g liquor (to taste);
• 15g cane sugar;
• 20g whipped cream.

Cooking process:

1. Make a classic espresso recipe.
2. Stir the liqueur, cane sugar and tequila in a glass and steam a little.
3. Before serving, add espresso and whipped cream to alcohol.

American version

There are a lot of Americano recipes. Due to the fact that it can be served in any form and the volume of the drink is larger than that of espresso, it differs in taste due to the many additives. What is the difference between an Americano and an espresso? The volume of dishes in which drinks are served. Americano cups have a standard volume of 200-250 ml, while espresso has 50-60 ml.

Orange Americano

Ingredients per serving:

• 25g fine coffee;
• 150ml water;
• 20 ml orange liqueur;
• 25g whipped cream.

Cooking process:

1. Make coffee according to the espresso recipe and add 100 ml of hot water to it.
2. Pour orange liqueur into the resulting Americano and garnish with whipped cream before serving.

Americano with cinnamon

Ingredients per serving:

• 25g medium grind coffee;
• 150ml water;
• 20g cane sugar;
• 2g ground cinnamon;
• 10ml brandy or orange liqueur;
• 5g grated citrus zest (to taste).

Cooking process:

1. Cook one serving of classic Americano.
2. Sugar, citrus zest, cinnamon, brandy or liquor mixed and steamed until the sugar is completely dissolved, set on fire and pour americano into this mixture.

All types of coffee are related in one way or another and have a similar taste. What is the difference between espresso and americano? Drinks have many differences: preparation technique, serving time, additives. But, despite this, coffee drinks have some common features. So, to get an americano, you must first make an espresso. The taste of drinks will also be similar, although American coffee is less pronounced.