The Difference between Americano and Black Coffee

Black coffee as it's known worldwide, is coffee in its simplest form: ground coffee beans brewed with hot water. Despite the superficial similarities, it's radically different from Americano coffee. Americano is prepared by adding hot water to an espresso shot, while black coffee is prepared by pouring water directly over the ground coffee beans. This difference in preparation gives each drink a completely different flavor and texture. In this guide, we'll explore the key differences between these two popular drinks, leaving it up to you to decide which one you prefer!

Americano is black coffee...

Americano coffee is espresso, but the difference between espresso and Americano is that Americano is mixed with hot water, which dilutes the espresso and transforms it from a thick, syrupy shot into a beverage more like drip coffee.

Baristas may argue about the best way to prepare an Americano and how much water to use, but the basic principle never changes: espresso, hot water, and nothing else. Preparation plays a major role in determining the flavor and characteristics of Americano coffee, as it affects how diluted the espresso is and its final flavor.

Americano coffee is usually served "black," without milk. This is why Americano is considered black coffee—unless milk is added!

But not all black coffee is Americano

. "Black coffee" means coffee without milk. Just as there are hundreds of ways to prepare different types of coffee, there are also hundreds of ways to prepare black coffee. For example, there are differences in flavor and preparation methods between Americano and black coffee. Black coffee is prepared using different drip methods, giving it a distinct flavor compared to Americano, which is based on espresso.

If you ask for "black coffee," the barista will usually assume you mean the most common type of coffee in that coffee shop.

For example, if you ask for "coffee" in Italy, you'll almost always be served espresso, whereas if you ask for "coffee" in the US, you'll likely receive drip coffee prepared in a coffee dripper. 

The Differences Between the Most Common Types of Black Coffee

Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee: Two different methods, but both involve boiling water and coffee together and sipping them unfiltered.

Espresso: A small amount of intense coffee that is also used as a base for milk drinks such as flat white coffee.

Americano: Espresso mixed with hot water.

Caffè crema or Caffè lungo: A popular drink in Central Europe, this coffee is prepared in the same way as espresso but with the addition of more water. The resulting drink tastes similar to Americano.

Drip coffee: Light coffee prepared by pouring water over coffee through a filter, either using a machine or by hand.

In Australian or New Zealand-influenced cafes, you may also hear the terms “little black coffee” and “long black coffee.” “Little black coffee” refers to espresso, while “long black coffee” refers to espresso mixed with hot water—similar to Americano, but typically smaller and stronger. However, "black coffee" most often refers to filtered coffee.

The Origins and Preparation of Americano

Americano originated during World War II when American soldiers were stationed in Italy. At the time, the soldiers weren't interested in the rich espresso drink favored by the Italians. Instead, they were looking for a way to modify espresso to resemble the coffee they were used to back home. The result was adding hot water to the espresso, diluting it and transforming it into a drink more like the drip coffee they preferred. Thus, the Americano we know and love today was born. Simply put, an Americano is a combination of espresso and hot water, without any other additives.

How to Prepare Black Coffee

Black coffee is prepared using drippers like the V60 or Chemex, and its flavor is quite different from that of an Americano due to the filters used in the dripping process. Black coffee, or black coffee, has a milder, less bitter flavor than Americano because the paper filter used in drippers traps oils and small particles. The ratio of water added to coffee varies depending on the type of coffee beans used. The ratio in drippers is fixed depending on the recipe, and the most common ratio is 1:15. This means that for every gram of ground coffee, 15 grams of water are used. This ratio ensures balanced flavor extraction, resulting in a smooth and light black coffee.

The Difference Between Black Coffee and Americano

While black coffee and Americano are similar drinks, they are easy to distinguish at a glance. Americano consists of espresso with hot water added, making it distinct from black coffee in both ingredients and taste.

The most significant difference between the two is the crema, a rich layer of golden-brown foam that forms on top of the espresso. When you add hot water, the crema floats on top of the drink. This is why Americano coffee is topped with a thin layer of crema.

Photo: Carolina Grabowska

Americano coffee should be topped with a thin layer of foam called crema.

On the other hand, filtered black coffee foam may be visible as bubbles on the surface of the drink, but it differs in appearance from the rich, creamy foam on top of a well-prepared Americano.

In addition, the difference between Americano and black coffee is the color of the drink. Filtered black coffee is black or very dark brown, but the liquid is clearer because the filtering process removes oils and small coffee particles.

Photo: Andrew Neal

Despite its dark color, filtered coffee is relatively clear.

On the other hand, Americano coffee appears cloudy or murky. Unfiltered espresso contains oils and small particles that cloud the coffee, making it appear brown rather than black compared to filtered coffee.

About Crema

Crema is an essential part of espresso. If your espresso doesn't contain crema, it's not prepared properly. However, while it may look appealing, crema tastes bitter, as all the good flavors of the espresso are trapped below the liquid.

Similarly, the layer of crema on top of an Americano is an important part of the drink's appearance—but it doesn't actually add anything to the flavor. This means that a layer of crema doesn't make an Americano taste better than black filtered coffee; it only changes the appearance of the drink.

Many baristas are very careful to keep the cream as thick as possible on top of the drink because it looks better that way—but you'll get the best flavor from your Americano if you stir the cream into the rest of the coffee before sipping it.

The Flavor Difference Between Americano and Black Coffee

The biggest flavor difference between Americano and filter coffee comes from the fact that Americano is not filtered. Espresso is brewed in a special steel basket with small holes in the bottom. These holes are small enough to prevent ground coffee from falling through, but large enough to allow oils and small coffee particles to pass through into the drink.

These oils and particles give the coffee a thick, heavy texture and also add bitterness. As a result, Americano tastes richer and more intense than filter coffee, and may also taste more bitter.

Filter coffee, on the other hand, passes through a paper filter, which traps the oils and small particles in the coffee. This means that filter coffee will have a lighter texture and a milder flavor, and may have a sweeter or less bitter taste. This may result in more floral or fruity notes being detected in the coffee compared to Americano.

The Difference Between Espresso and Filter Coffee

Americano coffee is typically prepared using coffee roasted specifically for espresso, meaning it is roasted for a longer period. Meanwhile, black filter coffee is prepared using light or medium roasted coffee. A roast closer to medium extracts the rich, nutty, and chocolatey flavors of the coffee and makes it more bitter. Lighter roasts, on the other hand, have subtle floral or fruity notes and a more acidic aftertaste.

In general, these differences mean that Americano coffee and filtered black coffee taste very different. Americano coffee typically has a strong, rich flavor and aroma with more bitterness and a thicker body. Black coffee, on the other hand, has a lesser flavor and aroma, with more sweetness, acidity, and a lighter body.

The types of coffee used in the preparation of coffee greatly influence the final flavor of both Americano and black coffee. Choosing the right type of coffee can enhance the desired flavors and reduce bitterness or sweetness, depending on your personal preference.

The Difference Between Coffee of the Day and Americano

Coffee of the Day is a term coined to refer to coffee prepared daily in large quantities using Batch Brewers in specialty coffee shops and a specific coffee crop. Therefore, it is black drip coffee, while Americano is espresso with hot water added. Coffee of the Day may refer to a specific type of coffee other than black coffee in other coffee shops.

Is Americano stronger than black coffee?

Americano coffee often tastes stronger than black filter coffee, and it usually has a more bitter aftertaste. The human tongue is sensitive to bitter flavors, so the more bitter the coffee, the stronger it is. This means that Americano tastes stronger than black filter coffee, even if it contains the same amount of coffee.

But does Americano have more caffeine than black coffee? The answer is that it depends on the preparation method. Are you using one or two shots of espresso? And how much water did you add to the cup?

If you make an Americano (300 ml) using a double shot of espresso (20 g of ground coffee), it will contain roughly the same amount of coffee as an equal-sized cup of black filter coffee. In this case, even though they are prepared with the same amount of coffee, filter coffee usually contains slightly more caffeine.

In espresso, the water passes through the coffee beans in about 30 seconds, while in filter coffee, it takes several minutes—so the water has more time to extract all the caffeine from the coffee beans.

Despite this, many coffee shops brew their Americanos even stronger. For example, a specialty coffee shop might use a double shot of espresso to make a small cup of coffee (180 ml). In this case, the Americano will be almost twice as strong as the black filter coffee and contain almost twice the caffeine.

On the other hand, if you order a large Americano and get a 500 ml brew, the extra volume usually consists of more water. In this case, the Americano will be lighter than the black coffee.

Which is healthier: Americano or black coffee?

Both Americanos and black filter coffee are considered healthy drinks, and this may come as a surprise to some—after all, how can a delicious and addictive drink be so good for you? But whether it's Americano or filter coffee, if you drink coffee without milk, there's plenty of research to show that coffee is good for you.

Black filter coffee is likely slightly healthier than Americano. The oils in espresso contain diterpenes, which are natural compounds that can raise your cholesterol. In black coffee, the paper filter removes most of the diterpenes, making it healthier.

Even with the diterpenes, espresso still reduces your risk of heart attack or stroke, thanks to all the antioxidants in coffee. So, Americano is still healthy—but black coffee is healthier.

Whatever type of coffee you drink, try not to drink it too hot. Hot drinks can damage the lining of your mouth and throat. Americanos are often served boiling hot, so let it cool for a minute or two before drinking. This gives it a better taste and makes it healthier.

Benefits of Americano vs. Black Coffee

So far, we've seen that black filter coffee is often less bitter, more flavorful, and milder than Americano—and healthier. If that's the case, why is Americano so popular?

The first thing to clarify is that brewing Americano is a very quick way to prepare fresh coffee. Americano can be brewed in less than a minute, while filter coffee can take several minutes. Fresh coffee has more aroma and flavor, so freshly brewed Americano will always taste better than stale filter coffee in a pot.

In many small coffee shops, an espresso machine may be the only coffee maker available. In this case, Americano may be the only way to prepare "black coffee." Many people prefer the stronger flavor of Americano to the milder flavors of black filter coffee. The stronger flavor means Americano pairs well with a little milk—in this case, it could be called a white Americano. On the other hand, filter coffee can be too light and bland if you want to add milk to your coffee, and our team tested that in episode 11 of QavaShop Lab.

The bottom line is that Americano is a type of black coffee, but black coffee and Americano are not exactly the same thing. If you like the subtle acidity and fruity notes of lightly roasted coffee, then you'll likely prefer black filter coffee to Americano. If you want a stronger or richer brew, however, Americano might be the better choice for you—especially if you enjoy adding milk.

But if you order "black coffee" expecting filter coffee and find yourself getting an Americano—or vice versa—don't worry. Both Americano and black coffee can be delicious drinks, but they have subtle differences in flavor and texture. The subtle differences in flavor are what makes coffee enjoyable, so it's always worth trying something new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is today's coffee black coffee?

Yes, in most Saudi cafes, the term "coffee of the day" refers to black coffee—black coffee. The term can also refer to a specific type of coffee available that day.

What's the difference between drip coffee and black coffee?

Drip coffee is a method of preparation (via filtration), and some may call it black coffee in English or black coffee in Arabic.

What's the difference between iced coffee and iced Americano?

Iced coffee is any iced coffee prepared using a dripper, such as a V60, while iced Americano is specifically espresso diluted with cold water and ice.

What's the difference between espresso beans and drip coffee?

Espresso beans are usually dark roasted, while drip coffee beans tend to be medium or light roasted to highlight coffee notes.

What are the names of black coffee?

Black coffee names include Americano, espresso, drip coffee, long black, French press, and Turkish coffee, but the most common is the term black coffee for drip coffee (filter coffee).

What is Caffè Candiano?

A Canadiano is an espresso with Canadian maple syrup. It may be just an exact copy of an Americano, but some coffee shops in Canada have recently changed the name to Canadiano in response to the tensions between the United States and Canada.