Espresso vs americano coffee – choose your favorite!

Coffee lovers around the world all have their favorite coffee drinks. I know I do and I’m pretty sure you do too. But when it comes to espresso vs americano, which one will you choose? Grab a cup of joe and let’s find out all about these two great coffees.

 What is espresso

• Espresso is a type of coffee that has a unique flavour and strength compared to regular coffee.
• Originating in Italy in the early 20th century, the first espresso machine was created in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera. Initially, it was exclusively served in cafes because the machine was too expensive for home use.
• It’s made by forcing hot water through compressed ground coffee beans. The result is a concentrated shot of coffee with a thick, creamy layer on top called crema. It takes only about 25 seconds to extract a single shot of espresso.
• Contrary to popular belief, espresso actually contains less caffeine than an average cup of coffee. This is because the serving size is much smaller. A typical shot of espresso only contains about 60-80mg of caffeine, while a cup of coffee can have up to 200 milligrams.

Can’t wait to try an espresso? Check out my post on How to make espresso without a machine.

What is americano

• A deceptively simple but great-tasting coffee, americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. This dilutes the espresso and creates a drink that has a similar strength to drip coffee, but with a bolder and more complex flavour profile.
• It can be traced back to World War II when American soldiers stationed in Italy would order espresso shots and add hot water to make the drink taste more like the coffee back home.
• Because there is no milk in americano it’s a low-calorie drink compared to other milky coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Ready to make your own americano at home. Check out my super simple americano recipe.

The flavor test: americano vs espresso

 The taste of espresso

• The crema, the layer of foam on top of the espresso, is an essential part of its taste. It is formed from a mixture of oils and sugars in the coffee and contributes to the smooth, velvety mouthfeel of espresso.
• The flavor of espresso depends on several factors, including the how the beans are roasted and the brewing method. For example, a light roast espresso will have more of the original flavours of the coffee, while a darker roast will have a deeper caramelized, smoky taste.
• Espresso has a more concentrated flavor than regular drip coffee. So, depending on the coffee beans you use, your espresso can taste of chocolate, toffee, nuts and fruits. It can even smell floral or have citrus notes.

The taste of americano

• Americano has an underlying intense and pleasantly bitter taste, with hints of caramel toffee and fruit. The rich, bold flavors of its espresso base are toned down with hot water, leaving a pleasant bittersweet aftertaste.
• While americano can be noticeably strong in taste, it isn’t overly acidic. The hot water added to americanos reduces any bitterness and creates a great drinking experience. I regularly go with an americano, so long as I can make it myself. I know how strong I like my americano. Do you?

Espresso v americano: the pros and cons

There are some important pros and cons about these two great coffees that you need to keep in mind.

Pros of espresso

• While traditionally served as shots, espressos are used to make many popular coffees like cappuccinos, lattes and even americanos.
• Espresso is really quick to make (especially if you have access to an espresso machine) and drink. So it’s perfect for an on-the-go lifestyle.
• When you want a strong coffee, perhaps after a meal, espressos are ideal. Their deep intense flavor cuts through everything you have eaten. Plus the caffeine in espresso will give you an energy boost.

The cons of espresso

• To get the best results you might be tempted to buy a very expensive espresso machine. Admittedly, the modern bean-to-cup machines make the process much easier. But they require constant maintenance and can be very expensive to repair if anything goes wrong.
• It can take practice to make a great-tasting espresso. If you have tried and failed, check out my review of the many ways you can make espresso without an espresso machine.
• Some people find the taste of espresso just too strong. While others enjoy the intense and often bitter taste of a great shot of espresso. To be honest, there are times i really enjoy an espresso. While other times it’s not for me.

The pros of americano

• If you are watching your weight, americano is a better choice than milky lattes or sugary Frappuccino’s as it contains no added sugars and very few calories per cup.
• Due to its 1 or 2 shots of espresso, americano offers a full-bodied flavor that you may find more enjoyable than regular brewed coffee.
• It’s a versatile coffee and when you make it at home you can have it exactly how you want it. So, if you prefer your americano with a splash of milk or cream, or maybe with added flavors like vanilla or caramel syrup, just go for it.

The cons of drinking americano

• Because it’s based on espresso, the bitterness can be off-putting if you prefer milder flavors in your coffees.
• Without any milk or cream added, the only changes you can make are adding more or less hot water and sugar or other sweeteners. If you add too much water your americano will taste too weak and watery.
• While you can add milk or cream to your americano, it will taste very different to drinking cappuccino or latte. Cappuccinos and lattes are made with espresso and steamed milk. The hot water in an americano dilutes the coffee flavor. So it will taste very weak compared to other milky coffees.

FAQs about the difference between espresso and americano

What is espresso?

• It’s a type of coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It produces a concentrated, full-bodied intense flavor with a creamy crema on top.
• Espresso is often used to make various espresso-based drinks like cappuccino, café latte, or macchiato.

Which one has the most caffeine?

• Espresso shots are much more concentrated than Americanos, making it a strong and bold coffee choice.
• If you make both coffees with one shot of espresso using the same beans. They will both contain the same amount of caffeine. But the extra hot water added to americano makes it taste less intense and bitter.
• So when it comes to caffeine content, there is no difference between americano and espresso.

Which has the most calories

• A 1oz. espresso shot contains about 3-10 calories, depending on the roast and blend used.
• An americano with the same single shot of espresso also contains about 3-10 calories, on average.
• For comparison, Starbucks whole milk Grande cappuccino has 181 calories, while its whole milk Grande latte macchiato has 229 calories.
• So if you are watching your weight americano and espresso are the safer choices.

What is the difference between lungo and americano

• An espresso lungo is a type of espresso drink that is made by pulling the shot for a longer amount of time than for a regular shot of espresso. Hence, the name “lungo” comes from the Italian word for “long”.
• That forces a larger volume of water through the coffee grounds and results in a slightly less bitter-tasting coffee.
• But don’t get me wrong, it’s still an espresso – just toned down slightly. And it still has all the depth you love in your espresso.
• An americano is made with a shot of espresso, poured into a 8oz. cup which is then topped up with 5-6oz of hot water.
• So an americano has a lot more water than an espresso lungo and tastes a lot milder.

Can I make an americano with decaf espresso?

• Yes, you can use decaf coffee to make americano. Decaf espresso is the same as regular espresso, but with most of the caffeine removed. It still has the same bold and rich flavor that makes espresso the base of most coffee drinks, including americano.
• The only difference is that your americano will have less caffeine than usual. So, if you want to enjoy the taste of espresso without the jitters, decaf americano is a perfect option.

Can espresso be used for cooking and baking?

• Yes, espresso can add a rich and robust flavor to a variety of dishes and desserts. It is often used in chocolate-based recipes, as well as in marinades for meat and sauces for savory dishes like pasta.
• Espresso also enhances the flavor of baked goods such as cakes, brownies, and cookies, giving them a bold and sophisticated taste.
• You can even add espresso to marinades for meat. The natural acidity of the coffee helps to tenderize the meat.

The bottom line

Espresso and americano coffees both have their own distinctive flavors and characteristics that appeal at different times. Espresso has a stronger flavor with more crema while an Americano is milder but smoother in taste. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference when deciding between the two

When you want a really strong short coffee experience, go for an espresso. But when you’re in the mood for a longer less intense experience, americano is an excellent choice.

Some other great coffees compared

You are not alone if you struggle to decide which coffee to drink. I am forever changing my mind in mid brew. So I have put together some great coffee vs coffee posts to help you decide. Take a look at these for some inspiration:

• Americano vs long black coffee. Probably the toughest choice because these seem to be so similar. But are they really?
• Americano vs cappuccino. Two of the all time classics. I regularly make both and love them. But they are for very different occasions.
• Americano vs latte. Another classic pairing. Yes I love them both and so will you once you have checked out how easy they both are to make.