Just by reading the title, you can imagine the smell of a freshly brewed cup of Americano that awakens your every sense. It is the best fuel to start a busy weekday and the best remedy to take the stress off.
Every coffee shop and café serves it and no matter where you go around the world, everyone agrees that Americano is the best drink you can have to start your day – whether that’s a busy day in the office or a quick gym session over the weekend before a day out to the movies.
What is Americano
Americano is a type of coffee drink that is prepared by diluting espresso shots with hot water at a 1:2 ratio. In other words, Americano is made of 1/3 espresso and 2/3 warm water. If you think it’s just the same as regular black coffee or long black, you might want to think again.
Unlike regular coffee that is usually made by letting hot water drip through the coffee grounds, an espresso shot needs to be achieved first before hot water is added straight into the cup giving it a fuller and richer taste.
Long Black, on the other hand, uses 2/3 of espresso ratio to maintain the depth of flavour. Traditionally, Americano is enjoyed in two variations – crema or no crema. Crema, for those unfamiliar with it, is a thin layer of foam on top of the coffee blend.
To enjoy an Americano with Crema, the barista will have to ‘pull’ the espresso shot into the coffee cup before adding the hot water. Because of this, there is a general rule that espresso should be poured into the cup first, followed by the boiling water.
The History of Americano
There’s a reason why it is called Americano, and it is pretty obvious. During World War II, the American serviceman consumed so much coffee that the Army Quartermaster Corps went as far as grinding the coffee and shipping them overseas.
However, American soldiers that were stationed overseas in Italy, in particular, did not like the grainy coffee they had to drink while they were on site as it did not taste similar to the drip coffee they were used to back home.
To replicate the taste, the soldiers figured that adding hot water to espresso was the closest they can get and hence, the Americano was born.
Today, Americano can be easily enjoyed at any café as a result of colonisation. For those who prefer to indulge a good cup of Americano at home, the drink can easily be achieved if you own a Moka Pot, a French Press or an Aeropress.
To note, a cup of Americano gets its distinct taste from the coffee bean used; it is advised that you use a high-quality brand such as Vittoria Bitter to achieve the best cup of Americano.
Where to get the best Americano in Kuala Lumpur
If brewing coffee is not an art that you have on your head, you can certainly head to any café nearby. However, for the best taste head on to any Starbucks branches near you.
You can have your delicious cup of Americano from Starbucks and Coffea Coffee. They serve the best Americano in town.
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