Ah, the Americano and long black: two classic espresso-based drinks that may appear identical to the untrained eye.
This is why I decided to put together this article, so you can easily see the differences between these two great coffee choices.
Quick Answer: What is the difference between an Americano and long black?
The main difference between an Americano and a long black is that for an Americano, a shot of espresso is pulled first and then topped with hot water. On the other hand, a long black is prepared by adding an espresso shot to hot water, essentially brewing it in reverse.
I'll compare the two drinks side by side to get a better idea of just how similar they are, let you know what sets them apart, and then help you decide which one is ultimately right for you.
Let's go more in-depth now!
Americano vs. Long Black: How do they differ?
The Americano and long black use the same ingredients, but the process of making these coffees changes the flavors.
Both drinks are made with espresso coffee and hot water, but there are subtle differences in their flavor profiles.
The long black has similar flavor notes to Americano but is slightly more robust, while the Americano usually tastes more like regular black coffee.
What is the difference in taste?
The Americano and long black coffee differ in taste due to the way water is added to the cup.
With the Americano, water is poured directly into the cup containing espresso coffee.
This results in a smooth and balanced flavor profile as the hot water dilutes some of the intense bitterness often associated with espresso shots.
It creates a flavor that is comparable to coffee brewed with a pour over brewer like the Chemex.
On the other hand, the steps are reversed when making a long black.
This method preserves more of the crema on top, resulting in a richer taste that remains bolder than an Americano.
You can compare the flavor to French press coffee, which has a stronger flavor due to its brewing technique.
Read along to find a more in-depth explanation of both espresso-based drinks:
What is an Americano?
An Americano is made by combining equal parts of espresso and hot water, resulting in a strong yet smooth drink.
You may be thinking, “Isn't that just diluted espresso?” And while it may seem like that on the surface, there's much more to this drink than meets the eye.
Americanos still packs quite a punch.
The combination of espresso and hot water creates a unique flavor profile that balances out the intensity of pure espresso while maintaining its boldness.
A 1:2 ratio of espresso to hot water can also be used.
This means that one shot of espresso is diluted with double the amount of hot water, resulting in a less intense beverage.
An Americano tastes similar to regular black coffee but with the robust notes that espresso has to offer.
It has a sweeter, laid-back taste due to the added hot water, creating an easygoing drink.
Americanos are my go-to cup of coffee to make in the morning because I like to savor the flavor of coffee longer, rather than drinking espresso, which is finished in two slurps.
Brewing tip: If you want to learn how to make an Americano at home, you can check out this easy recipe.
What is a long black?
A long black is a shot of espresso extracted over hot water, creating a bold and rich base for the drink.
This method unlocks the full potential of the espresso, resulting in a more intense and flavorful drink compared to other coffee drinks.
Because of how it's poured, the espresso lies on top of the hot water, and its crema is kept intact.
The crema of espresso has a robust flavor, and this is where the best feature of the long black comes in.
If you prefer drinking strong coffee, just like I do, then you'll love the long black.
It creates a stronger coffee because you'll first drink the espresso, and then, as you continue, you'll reach the more diluted part of the drink.
A long black coffee uses the same 1:2 ratio of espresso to hot water as an Americano, or you could use equal parts.
The key to making a perfect long black lies in getting the proportions right - too much water will dilute the flavor, while too little can make it overly strong, so have fun playing with the ratios!
Recipe tip: If you want to learn how to make a long black at home, you can check out the full recipe here.
How much caffeine is in these coffees?
You might be wondering about the caffeine content in these drinks. Since both drinks contain one espresso shot, they each have 68 mg of caffeine. (source)
Depending on the coffee bar you go to and how they prepare the Americano and long black, the amount of caffeine can change if they add an additional espresso shot.
Here's a quick overview:
| Espresso shots used | Americano | Long black |
| One espresso shot | 68mg of caffeine | 68mg of caffeine |
| 2 espresso shots | 136mg of caffeine | 136mg of caffeine |
If you prefer a stronger coffee, you can also request one additional espresso shot in your drink.
Americano vs. Long Black: Which is right for you?
Because these drinks use the same ingredients and are made in (almost) the same way, you might be wondering which is the better of the two.
If you haven't yet decided which suits your flavor best, have a look below for my recommendation:
- The Americano is perfect for you if you prefer a less robust espresso-based drink that tastes great.
- Opt for a long black if you prefer the taste of espresso coffee but want to savor it for longer.
Choosing between these drinks can be tough, but it ultimately comes down to the flavor profile you prefer in your coffee.
To achieve the best result, experiment by ordering both drinks and omitting milk or cream to get a stronger taste of the coffee bean flavor without any creamy sweetness distracting from the palate.
This way, you can see if one drink suits your taste better than another. You may even find that they have different flavors, which you enjoy equally as much!
Related coffee comparison articles
Are you wondering how the Americano and long black compare to other coffees?
Great! Check out the articles below for more in-depth coffee comparisons:
And to compare more coffees, visit the coffee comparison hub!
Conclusion
I hope you've learned something new about the two popular coffee drinks.
I've talked about the differences between an Americano and a long black. Both espresso-based coffees are great to enjoy in the morning, but which do you prefer?
This article provides you with all the details on these two drinks, making your decision easier.
If either one sounds like something you'd love to drink first thing each day, leave a comment below with which coffee you're leaning toward.
Are you a fan of espresso-based coffees? Let me know by leaving a comment down below.
If you have any other questions about coffee, you can also contact me directly by clicking the “Contact Me” button at the top.
