Perfect Americano at Home

Dive into the world of coffee with the classic Americano and its elegant cousin, the Long Black. Both are espresso-based beverages with water added for dilution. They differ by the order of the ingredients, which affects the crema — the luscious golden layer atop a perfect espresso. This guide will walk you through creating these delightful drinks using either a traditional espresso machine or a super-automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine, ensuring you capture the distinct flavors of each.

Ingredients

☕️ 18-20g of Coffee Beans/Grounds
💧 Hot Water

Instructions

1- How to Make an Americano:

Prepare Espresso:
- Grind coffee beans using the Lagom P64 grinder to the appropriate fineness for espresso.
- For the Espresso Machine: Load the ground coffee into the portafilter, tamp it firmly, and secure it in the Profitec Pro 700.
- For the Bean-to-Cup Machine: Place the beans in the De'Longhi Magnifica Start; the machine will handle grinding and brewing.
- Brew a single or double shot of espresso directly into your preferred mug (either ceramic or double-walled glass).
Add Hot Water:
- Pour hot water into the mug containing the espresso shot using the Fellow Stagg EKG kettle or the hot water spout of the espresso machine.
- Adjust the water amount until you reach your desired coffee intensity.

2- How to Make a Long Black (Variation):

Prepare Hot Water First:
- Start by pouring your desired amount of hot water into the mug.
Add Espresso on Top:
- Brew an espresso shot directly over the hot water in the mug, preferably using the Profitec Pro 700, keeping the mug close to the espresso spout to preserve the crema.

Prep Time: Approx. 1 minute per serving once the machine is set.
Servings: 1 serving per preparation
Calories, Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates: Negligible unless additives are used.
Equipment:

Espresso Machine: Profitec Pro 700
Coffee Grinder: Lagom P64
Portafilter (with wooden handle)
Coffee Scale: Acaia Lunar
Coffee Cups: Grey ceramic mug, Double-walled glass mug
Kettle (optional for hot water): Fellow Stagg EKG
Super Automatic Coffee Machine: De'Longhi Magnifica Start

Cooking Tips

Espresso Quality: A well-extracted, balanced espresso shot is crucial for a flavorful drink.
Water-to-Coffee Ratio: Adjust hot water to suit your taste; this affects both the coffee strength and flavor profile.
Long Black Crema: To achieve a thick, floating crema, pour the espresso over the hot water and minimize the drop distance.