Today, we’re exploring the differences between three popular coffee styles: Americano, Coffee, and Drip Style Coffee. I’m here with Rebecca, and we’ll walk through how each style is brewed, what equipment we’re using, and, of course, how they taste. For this comparison, we’ll use a super-automatic espresso machine for the Americano, a traditional espresso machine, and a Technivorm Moccamaster for drip coffee.
What is an Americano?
An Americano is a classic espresso-based drink made by pouring hot water over a shot of espresso. This creates a smooth, lighter espresso drink with less intensity. When using a super-automatic machine like the Jura, you can opt for its “coffee” button, which brews espresso with additional water. This results in a milder version of an Americano.
- Traditional Americano: Espresso + hot water, brewed separately and combined in one cup.
- Jura’s Coffee Setting: Espresso brewed with extra water for a slightly milder taste.
We’re curious if the coffee setting on the Jura will be noticeably milder than a traditional Americano.
Brewing an Americano with Different Beans
Using different coffee beans can significantly impact the flavor of an Americano.
- Espresso Ratio: We used 2 ounces of espresso with 16 grams of ground coffee, creating a balanced double shot.
- Robusta vs. Arabica Beans: Robusta Beans typically have deeper, earthier flavor, while Arabica Beans are milder. Robusta often pairs well with extra water in an Americano.
Using Robusta beans may be a good choice if you enjoy a bolder taste.
Tasting the Americano
We brewed the Americano with 5.5 ounces of water to 2 ounces of espresso, for a total of about 7.5 ounces—common for an Americano.
Here’s what we found:
- Flavor: The Americano is smooth, balanced, and slightly soft.
- Water Adjustment: Adding less water could enhance the boldness of the flavor, depending on your preference.
This Americano is light enough to drink black and provides a smooth, enjoyable experience for any coffee drinker.
Trying the “Coffee” Option on the Jura
We then brewed a 7.5-ounce coffee on the Jura’s coffee setting to compare it to the Americano.
- Crema: The coffee had a thicker crema layer than the Americano, giving it a creamier texture.
- Flavor: It tasted milder and smoother but didn’t have the boldness of the Americano.
For those who enjoy a lighter coffee, the Jura’s coffee setting can be a good option, though it lacks the complexity found in a traditional Americano.
Drip Coffee with the Moccamaster
For a classic drip coffee experience, we used the Technivorm Moccamaster, a well-known drip coffee machine.
- Grind and Brew: We used 50 grams of medium-fine grind coffee for a liter of water, resulting in a clean and balanced cup.
- Brewing Process: The Moccamaster’s filter captures coffee fines and removes oils, delivering a cleaner taste.
The drip coffee brewed in about 5-8 minutes, producing a hot, rich coffee that brings out complex flavors from the beans. This method provides a traditional, clean coffee profile that’s challenging to achieve with an espresso-based machine.
Brewing Process Differences
Each brewing method has unique characteristics:
- Americano and Coffee on the Jura: These are brewed under pressure, resulting in a crema from compressed coffee oils, which adds richness but doesn’t have the clean taste of drip coffee.
- Moccamaster Drip Coffee: Drip coffee relies on gravity and a paper filter, allowing a cleaner extraction with a pure coffee taste. It’s ideal for those who prefer traditional drip coffee.
Choosing the Right Coffee Style
When choosing a brewing method, consider your taste preferences:
- Americano: Ideal if you enjoy bold, smooth coffee with the depth of espresso. Machines with a dedicated Americano button, like the Jura, can make the process easier.
- Coffee on a Super-Automatic Machine: Produces a milder coffee, suitable for those who enjoy a smooth, less intense cup.
- Drip Coffee: This is perfect for those who prefer the clean, classic drip coffee experience. Machines like the Moccamaster use filters to deliver a more nuanced, pure coffee flavor.
Conclusion
Each brewing method Americano, coffee on a super-automatic, and drip coffee offers a unique experience.
If you’re looking for rich, smooth coffee, an Americano may be your best choice. The Jura’s coffee setting can provide a lighter, smoother cup. However, if you’re after the clean, complex flavors of drip coffee, the Moccamaster is ideal.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or want to explore our equipment, visit us at ECS Coffee in Burlington or Ancaster, Ontario. Enjoy your brew!
FAQs on Americano, Coffee, & Drip Coffee Differences
What’s the main difference between an Americano and drip coffee?
An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso, resulting in a smooth coffee with the depth of espresso. Drip coffee, however, is brewed by filtering water through coffee grounds using gravity, producing a clean, classic coffee flavor that’s typically milder.
Can a super-automatic machine like the Jura make real drip coffee?
Super-automatic machines like the Jura can’t make traditional drip coffee. They brew espresso-style coffee, even on the “coffee” setting, using pressure to extract the coffee, which produces a crema. Drip coffee, in contrast, uses gravity, not pressure, for extraction.
How does the Jura’s “coffee” setting compare to an Americano?
The Jura’s “coffee” setting brews espresso with extra water, creating a milder, smoother coffee than an Americano. Americano coffee is typically more prosperous, as hot water is added after brewing a concentrated espresso shot, preserving bold flavors.
Why is there a crema on coffee from a super-automatic machine?
Super-automatic machines brew under pressure, compressing coffee oils and creating a crema layer, even on the coffee setting. This crema adds a richer texture to the coffee, unlike traditional drip coffee, which does not produce crema.
Which method is best if I want a traditional coffee flavor?
If you prefer a traditional, clean coffee flavor, a drip coffee maker like the Moccamaster is ideal. Drip coffee machines use filters to remove oils and fines, giving you a pure, balanced coffee taste that super-automatic machines can’t fully replicate.