What is an Americano coffee and why is it called that?
The Americano is an espresso diluted with water, hot or cold, and its name, according to legend, comes from American soldiers in Italy.
It may have a sophisticated name, but the Americano is one of the simplest orders, along with a regular espresso. It consists of two ingredients: espresso and water, hot for the hot version and cold for the iced version.
The ratio depends on personal preference or the coffee shop's policy. It can be ordered with one or two shots of espresso, and it's usually equal parts, or 1:2 espresso to water for a more diluted version. Thus, the Americano falls somewhere between a black coffee and a pure espresso: it's diluted, but still coffee, without steamed milk, foam, or sugar.
There is some controversy surrounding the order of preparation. According to Nescafé, a true Americano is prepared by pouring the espresso first, followed by hot water, so that the crema blends with the drink and softens its flavor. If the water is poured first and then the espresso to preserve the crema, the drink is called a long black.
According to The New York Times, the American fondness for coffee originated in the military. By World War II, soldiers were already consuming large quantities of caffeinated filter coffee.
Legend has it that soldiers stationed in Italy had difficulty getting used to the strong, bitter espresso that is a staple there. To imitate the filter coffee they were accustomed to, they diluted it and reduced its bitterness. Hence the name: caffè americano simply means "American coffee" in Italian.