Source: Pixabay

Coffee 101: The Perfect Americano

Nick Gaskell

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As long as it does the job, most human beings are not that bothered about their daily coffee. Instant vs ground; full-fat vs skinny; turmeric vs pumpkin spice — these are not regular concerns of the average coffee consumer. In fact, the less fancy the better.

For coffee snobs, getting it right is a big-deal. In this new series, ‘Coffee 101’, we will take you through the steps of how to craft coffee perfection. You are about to climb the mountain, meet the master coffee-sensei, and descend a semi-professional barista. Let’s start with the basics: the americano.

Source: Kamboopics.com

First Things First: The Perfect Espresso

An espresso just looks like a thimble of dark water to the untrained eye. Surprisingly though, a lot of science and technique lies behind the humble single shot, the most basic form of coffee and the building block of drinks like americanos, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes and mochas etc. Below are some key things to consider when making espresso. Let’s break them down.

  • Grind — the consistency of ground coffee alters the strength and flavour of your espresso. The finer the grind the stronger the coffee is the rule of thumb and preference varies.
  • Strength of bean (or roast) — the strength and darkness of the coffee you choose will influence the result. It’s best to stick to the strongest beans or grinds when buying with espresso in mind. Really, you should be looking for versions which specifically state ‘espresso’ grade on the pack. Keep lower grades and grinds which are for cafetiers or other coffee makers out of your trolly if you’re making espresso.
  • Ground vs bean — true coffee snobs shudder at the sight or mere suggestion of pre-ground coffee. This is because manually grinding beans means more control over strength, greater freshness and bolder taste. Buying pre-ground is not a cardinal-sin, just make sure you preserve ground coffee in airtight containers (not the fridge) for no longer than a few days.
  • Hob top / espresso machine — both of these can be used to create espresso. A quality espresso machine gives you the…

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Nick Gaskell

Consultant, Sustainable Finance & Private Equity, Freelance Writer - uncommon stories