When you are a budding coffee snob, you probably struggle to make a decision between americano vs latte. If you don’t know much about the differences between these beverages, then be sure to read on and find out everything you need to know.
Americano vs latte: what’s the difference?
The typical americano you will find in the coffee shop consists of espresso and hot water. A latte on the other hand, is a combination of espresso and steamed milk. So, while both beverages are considered as espresso drinks, they each have their own characteristics.
How Do You Make Better Americano?
Americano is the favorite drink of many coffee lovers out there, so learning how to make one properly is recommended when you find yourself in the depths of coffee culture.
The key to making the perfect americano is making the best espresso shot. The quality of your shot of espresso will have a massive influence on your americano, so this is the foundation upon which you build your drink.
So, which do you add first, water or your shot of espresso? Well, Metropolis Coffee Company claims that adding hot water first helps to make the drink smoother. That being said, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the order of two shots of espresso and water.
The water temperature also helps create the perfect americano. According to most baristas, 185F is the perfect temperature for your Americano. However, some coffee experts claim 200F is more ideal.
Since each of these water temperatures provide variations in flavor and aroma, why not line up several shots of espresso and experiment with each one to get your preferred espresso drink?
How Do You Make Better Latte?
There are a lot of things you can do to make the perfect latte, but you may find that experimenting with your techniques and taste preferences can deliver some remarkable results, especially if you use ingredients such as espresso.
One of the tips that most experts can agree upon is to add the single or double shot of espresso directly to a latte glass, as opposed to the traditional coffee cup. They also recommend using whole milk.
While semi-skimmed and skimmed could be used too, whole milk will provide you with a creamer texture and flavor, which is often preferred for latte.
Once you have frothed your milk, it is also a good idea to remove unwanted large air bubbles by tapping the container on the table; this since large air bubbles can influence the texture of your latte. Finally, make sure you angle the latte glass when you pour the milk.
What Has More Caffeine, Latte Or Americano?
Both Americano and Latte are made with one or two espresso shots. For caffeine content, you always look at your source coffee beans. On average, though, one espresso shot contains 80 mg of caffeine, so you can use that as a base to calculate caffeine content.
A single shot latte/americano would have around 80 mg of caffeine, and a double shot would have about 160mg of caffeine.
So, Which Is Best?
That all comes down to your personal preferences. Both drinks are based on espresso, but one contains milk instead of water. So, those who like their coffee smoother and lighter will appreciate the steamed milk in a latte more than the hot water in an americano.
Of course, the opposite can apply too, as some people do not like any milk in their daily coffee. So, why not try both coffee drinks and see which one carries your preference?
There are a number of frequently asked questions we may not have addressed yet. So, let us look at some of the frequently asked questions about americano vs latte and get them answered right now!
