Have you ever visited a coffee shop and wondered what on earth is the difference between a long black coffee and an Americano? Sure, they both taste and look similar, but they are actually slightly different. Here is our guide to the differences between Americano and Long Black Coffee.
Profile Of Americano Coffee
Americano coffee, or simply Americano, is one of the most popular coffee drinks on the planet. It consists of traditional Italian espresso mixed / diluted with water and translates to “American Coffee”. The drink was invented in Italy, and according to legends, it was created specifically for Americans who cannot handle the strength and bitterness of pure espressos.
One of many key aspects of making coffee – based drinks is the order in which you pour in the ingredients. The Americano is no exception.
To make a proper Americano, you must first pour in a freshly brewed espresso before adding the water on top. The resulting drink will consist of two layers with a light layer of cream in between. If the order was the other way around, then it is not an Americano.
As for the flavour of an Americano, it is often described as the midpoint between pure espresso and a drip brewed coffee. It has the richness and full bodied consistency of espresso, but not the overwhelmingly strong and bitter flavour profile.
Profile Of Long Black Coffee
The long black is a drink that is often confused with Americano, because just like an Americano it consists of espresso and water.
It was invented and first grew in popularity in Australia, where locals say that it was created to cater to the palates of American tourists. However, it has since grown to be a favourite among Australians and New Zealanders.
Some people cannot differentiate between a long black and an Americano. This includes coffee shops which just pass off both of them as the same things.
However, there is a key difference between making an Americano and a long black: the order of adding ingredients!
Unlike an Americano, hot water should be poured into the cup first when making a long black. Then afterwards you can add the freshly brewed espresso on top. As a result, 2 different layers will form with a velvety espresso crema appearing on top.
Despite the similar ingredients used, a long black has a slightly different taste profile compared to an Americano. A long black would probably taste stronger since the espresso will be on top. This is also caused by the fact that the espresso and water do not mix as well as in an Americano.
Despite this, long blacks are still loved by a lot of people since they are viewed as slightly weaker and more consumable than an espresso while still having that bitter bite to it.
Which Is Better – Long Black Or Americano?
Overall, these 2 drinks are fairly similar with only small differences between them. You should opt for a long black if you like something stronger, more creamy, and has a hint of sweetness while you should order an Americano if you like your coffee a bit weaker.
FAQ
What is crema?
Crema is the smooth foam that you can find on top of a freshly made espresso. It is absolutely crucial to the overall experience of drinking a cup of coffee since it provides a fuller taste. Coffees that do not have sufficient crema are usually seen as stale and lack consistency.
What is ristretto?
Ristretto is simply a more concentrated form of espresso that was brewed from even finer ground coffee and less water. The bitter taste is suitable for those who love strong coffee. It can also be used to make Americanos and long blacks, just like espressos
