Cafe Americano

O

OldStar

Joined Aug 2004
760 Posts | 0+
Florida West Coast
I was recently in a situation where I had no choice for coffee but Starbucks. I decided to try Cafe Americano, which I've never had before.

I was told that it is simply espresso with extra water added. I liked it! I even got decaf because that fits in with my current diet. Of course, living in Tampa, I've been drinking Cafe Cubano (Chiquita), in a demitasse for years, so the taste is similar.

I think I've become hooked. I actually voluntarily stopped at a Starbucks today to get another cup of Cafe Americano.

My question is about the preparation. Can I simply purchase the coffee beans designated for espresso and run them through my Mr. Coffee style brewer and then add some extra hot water and get the same thing (or something reasonably similar) or do I have to actually have an espresso coffee maker, make espresso and then add extra water?

Would appreciate any insight you can provide.

:D
 
OldStar said:
I was recently in a situation where I had no choice for coffee but Starbucks. I decided to try Cafe Americano, which I've never had before.

I was told that it is simply espresso with extra water added. I liked it! I even got decaf because that fits in with my current diet. Of course, living in Tampa, I've been drinking Cafe Cubano (Chiquita), in a demitasse for years, so the taste is similar.

I think I've become hooked. I actually voluntarily stopped at a Starbucks today to get another cup of Cafe Americano.

My question is about the preparation. Can I simply purchase the coffee beans designated for espresso and run them through my Mr. Coffee style brewer and then add some extra hot water and get the same thing (or something reasonably similar) or do I have to actually have an espresso coffee maker, make espresso and then add extra water?

Would appreciate any insight you can provide.

:D
Click to expand...

Espresso is brewed at a much higher pressure than you can get on any drip style coffeemaker. The beans really don't make much difference and the roast can be across a pretty broad range yet still make great espresso.

Sorry but there really isn't a satisfactory way to make espresso other than using a higher pressure system.
 
jar said:
Espresso is brewed at a much higher pressure than you can get on any drip style coffeemaker. The beans really don't make much difference and the roast can be across a pretty broad range yet still make great espresso.

Sorry but there really isn't a satisfactory way to make espresso other than using a higher pressure system.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How pierceful grows the hazy yon! How myrtle petaled thou! For spring hath sprung the cyclotron How high browse thou, brown cow? -- Churchy LaFemme, 1950
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information. I guess my next step is to purchase and learn to use an espresso machine. Groan!!!

-----------------------------------------

What gentler eye, what nobler heart, doth warm the wintry day,
Than the true blue orb and oaken core of beloved Old Dog Trey.
-- Beauregard Chaulmoogra Frontenac de Montmingle Bugleboy
 
OldStar said:
jar said:
Espresso is brewed at a much higher pressure than you can get on any drip style coffeemaker. The beans really don't make much difference and the roast can be across a pretty broad range yet still make great espresso.

Sorry but there really isn't a satisfactory way to make espresso other than using a higher pressure system.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How pierceful grows the hazy yon! How myrtle petaled thou! For spring hath sprung the cyclotron How high browse thou, brown cow? -- Churchy LaFemme, 1950
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information. I guess my next step is to purchase and learn to use an espresso machine. Groan!!!

-----------------------------------------

What gentler eye, what nobler heart, doth warm the wintry day,
Than the true blue orb and oaken core of beloved Old Dog Trey.
-- Beauregard Chaulmoogra Frontenac de Montmingle Bugleboy
Click to expand...

Look around. I drink espresso and such only from time to time. I found an espresso machine that makes only two cups at a time a sears for only $20 a couple of years ago. It makes a good cup but I can't do more than one for me and one for the wife after that I have to start the whole process over again. So make sure you take these things into account before making your purchase because they can get very costly.
 
Thanks for the input.

Generally, I have a couple of cups of coffee in the morning and no more for the rest of the day. The two cup maker might work well for me.

I'm not going to rush into making a decision.

Thanks, again.
 
Why not get a Bialetti stainless steel stove top espresso maker? It makes 9 ounces (6 shots) of delicious espresso in minutes. Easy set up, easy clean up. About 60 bucks.
 
Bloofington said:
Why not get a Bialetti stainless steel stove top espresso maker? It makes 9 ounces (6 shots) of delicious espresso in minutes. Easy set up, easy clean up. About 60 bucks.
Click to expand...


Great advice!

However, I'm a step ahead of you. I already bought one. However, I made a mistake because I bought the two cup model --- which doesn't really make even one good cup. I guess because a "cup" to them is a demitasse.

The coffee is quite good and I will probably move up to the larger pot and leave the small one at the home of a friend in San Antonio to use each time I visit there, which is every few months.

Bloof, what do you recommend as a good brand and bean for espresso? It was most convenient for me to just stop by a Starbucks and pick up a package, but I probably should try some others.

Yum! It sounded so good that I left and made a cup before finishing this message.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
OldStar said:
Bloofington said:
Why not get a Bialetti stainless steel stove top espresso maker? It makes 9 ounces (6 shots) of delicious espresso in minutes. Easy set up, easy clean up. About 60 bucks.
Click to expand...


Great advice!

However, I'm a step ahead of you. I already bought one. However, I made a mistake because I bought the two cup model --- which doesn't really make even one good cup. I guess because a "cup" to them is a demitasse.

The coffee is quite good and I will probably move up to the larger pot and leave the small one at the home of a friend in San Antonio to use each time I visit there, which is every few months.

Bloof, what do you recommend as a good brand and bean for espresso? It was most convenient for me to just stop by a Starbucks and pick up a package, but I probably should try some others.

Yum! It sounded so good that I left and made a cup before finishing this message.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

A "cup" of espresso is about 1 1/2 ounces. It's also often referred to as a drop or shot.

As I have gotten old and lazy I find I really want my espresso NOW. My solution has been a Nespresso machine that makes real espresso using a pump pressure system as opposed to just steam and does so quickly and cleanly. It uses a premeasured capsule and honestly, makes a pretty good espresso, certainly the equal of most Charbucks.
 
jar said:
OldStar said:
...because a "cup" to them is a demitasse.
Click to expand...

A "cup" of espresso is about 1 1/2 ounces. It's also often referred to as a drop or shot.

As I have gotten old and lazy I find I really want my espresso NOW. My solution has been a Nespresso machine that makes real espresso using a pump pressure system as opposed to just steam and does so quickly and cleanly. It uses a premeasured capsule and honestly, makes a pretty good espresso, certainly the equal of most Charbucks.
Click to expand...

Yes, I acknowledged that. But their concept of what is enough coffee is a far cry from mine.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Do you herd sheep?" my grandma sighed,
My grandpa lept in fright;
"To me that grammar's wrong," he said,
"Have you heard sheep?" is right.

Walt Kelly
 
Yeah, a shot of espresso isn't good for anyone. Even the subway rats order their shots in two to four shot cups, depending on the size of the rat. And an 8 cup French Press makes about 32 oz. of coffee, yep, that's a demi tasse, but it's still 2.67 times a shot of espresso, hee, heee!!!

As for what kind of coffee, believe it or not, most Charbucks coffee would make for good espresso, because it's all over roasted, ha, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! As for anything else, that's something you have to go out and experiment with on your own, but go for dark roasts, otherwise espresso will be disappointing. Espresso. Yes, it's a method, a type, but it's based on using dark roasted coffee, very dark roasted.
 
I'm thinking that Pilao might be a good choice.

I was served a shot of it at a recent meeting and it was quite tasty. :thumbsup:

Are you familiar with that one?
 
Is that a Brazilian coffee? There seem to be a number of new Brazilian's flooding the market lately. Never heard of that one, but I'll keep my eyes open.
 
It is Brazilian and I found it to be delicious.

The only place I can find to buy it is online. I had hoped to find it locally, but so far I haven't.

 
Illy makes a fine pre-ground coffee for Espresso. It brews up just fine in a Bialetti, with fair Crema and fine flavor. The regular blend from them is fine too!!
 
I am great addict of coffee Either hot or cold i drink minimum 2 cup everyday. I used to have Nescafe earlier but once i have tried cafe americano and i simply loved it. Since then i am drinking cafe americano only.and would suggest all to at least try it once.
 
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