When you think of Americano, you think of watered down espresso. It’s one of the most popular and straightforward coffee drinks to order when you’re looking for a quick caffeine fix with just the right consistency.

But why do we call the Americano, Americano?

The Americano is simply Italian for “American Coffee”. During World War II, American soldiers stationed in Italy felt the traditional Italian espresso was too strong for their taste and opted for a watered-down version. They wanted a drink that tasted similar to the drip coffee they had back in America, thus, the Americano.

Americano’s are best prepared in a 6-ounce cup. The standard ratio varies from half-and-half to 1/3 shot of espresso and 2/3 hot water. The order of adding espresso first and water second dissolves the crema, a reddish-brown foam that contributes to the fullness and aroma of an espresso, producing a thin layer to rise to the top.

So in essence, a true Americano will have a light layer of crema on top.

Reversing this order (espresso over hot water) will leave the crema intact, producing a drink called a Long Black, which is more popular in Australia.

Stay tuned for more coffee cup features. In the meantime, drop by any of our Café de Lipa stores and ask our barista’s to make you our version of the Americano. Don’t hesitate to customize the drink to suit your own taste.