AMERICANO VS LONG BLACK
The difference between an americano and a long black coffee is the order of ingredients you pour in.
First popularized in New Zealand and Australia, a long black is made with double shots of espresso diluted with hot water. This helps mellow the intense flavors of espresso, allowing you to taste the subtleties of your coffee.
What’s special about a long black is its layer of crema found on top of the coffee. The crema is a flavorful and creamy froth that can only be found from brewing espresso. Forming when soluble oils found in coffee beans combine with air bubbles resulting from the brewing process.
This foamy layer is what differentiates a long black vs americano. The crema gives the drink a creamier texture, and it also enhances the flavors compared to other black coffee beverages.
The americano is similar to a regular black coffee made from a drip or pour-over, except it uses espresso shots instead of brewed coffee.
The brewing process from an espresso machine gives a stronger taste making an americano a well-rounded drink compared to other brewing methods. It has a bold flavor depending on your coffee beans, but it is not as intense.
An americano is also a thinner beverage as the espresso’s crema is immediately diluted with the hot water.