Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Caffé Americanos (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by sero5074
Which is the correct way to make Caffé Americano? Starbucks standard is +1 espresso shots, then filled to rim with hot water. I only ever made these before working here like this: pull either singe or doppio espresso shot into glass, fill cup to 2cm below rim, fill the rest espresso into the water. It preserves the crema doing it this way and taste smoother and bolder. I tried the other day the Starbucks way and I couldn’t believe we made it this way. Is it really “correct” way, bc I believe Caffé Americano can be made either way, just preference of taste! What do you think? 😁
olivinemultichrome 43 points 1y ago
Technically, putting shots on top of a cup of water is a “long black” while an americano is shots first, then water. While a long black preserves the crema and by most standards tastes better, it’s far more uniform to make it as an americano because there’s less eyeballing how much room is needed for the shots, how long does the hot water cook down while shots are pulling, etc.
sero5074 [OP] 8 points 1y ago
True haha. Thank you!
olivinemultichrome 15 points 1y ago
It’s the same reason Pike Place coffee exists. Not because it’s the most delicious thing ever, but because it’s modeled after Maxwell House to provide a familiar and consistent brewed coffee at any location. Starbucks values consistency more than quality, in most recipes.
sero5074 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Ahhh okay. Thanks so much.
tommyhateseveryone 0 points 1y ago
A long black will typically consist of a double ristretto and 1 to 2/ 1 to 3 ratio with hot water. A double shot over ten ounces of water will always be an americano no matter who you ask
Kryrieonn 11 points 1y ago
I am guilty of making them as long blacks most of the time just because I feel like they taste better that way. Also I find it faster to make by having the water or ice already prepped.
Just_Reputation_7057 6 points 1y ago
I'll do both ways depending on which is more convenient. If it's busy I'll get the cup full of hot water and leave room to throw shots in. If it's slow then vice versa.
Just_Reputation_7057 2 points 1y ago
Sometimes I just set the cup of hot water directly under the shot spout.
pranasoup -29 points 1y ago
please always pull shots into a shot glass. shots shouldn’t be pulled directly onto anything else so that the espresso can pull properly, in general. but it’s also risky to put a full bev, esp a cup filled with hot water, onto the machine when it should be firmly on the counter. less movement = less spills. it’s also just not standard :/
nicknenashev 24 points 1y ago
Lol yea let me just use a shot glass for every single one of the two hundred cups of coffee I’m making during the first half hour of our peak. This is neither a standard nor something that is ever done because of the pace of the business.
pranasoup -18 points 1y ago
if you’re pouring shots onto something, that is the standard, we use the shot glass. if the standard asks for shots to be pulled into the cup before milk/water, do that. but we do the standard. we do not make the entirety of a beverage sans espresso and pull the espresso straight onto it.
BlerkL 5 points 1y ago
If it’s an iced Americano I like to do the shots first, then the volumetric scoop of ice, and then water to the top. Only if it’s for myself though, otherwise I’ll do the ice last cause this makes the drink really weak at the top and really strong at the bottom so by taste buds get used to the espresso as I drink it.
ItzBoogieMan 5 points 1y ago
Shots on top gives it the Crema or whatever it’s called. Ppl who love Americanos look for that crema.
sero5074 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Yes I drink Americano and I prefer it shots poured on top, it tastes smoother!
ItzBoogieMan 2 points 1y ago
And yet I’m being downvoted 😭
sero5074 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Yeah this whole post is being downvoted… 😂😎
pranasoup 2 points 1y ago
people kill me lol there’s no winning
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Koalio15733 3 points 1y ago
Way back in the day it was standard to make it the other way. Hot water first then shots. I was a bux barista before the turn of the century.
sero5074 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yes I figured as much. To me it’s always been standard to make Caffe Americano this way. I never heard of “long black” til this post… 😅
PandaVike 2 points 1y ago
NGL I’ve always made mine as long blacks (2004-2017 and back again this year)
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
pranasoup -8 points 1y ago
SH 1
T 2
GR 3
VH 4
VI 4
add cold/hot water and applicable mods; all beverages should be left with 1/4” room from the rim.
T 2
GR 3
VH 4
VI 4
add cold/hot water and applicable mods; all beverages should be left with 1/4” room from the rim.
sero5074 [OP] 16 points 1y ago
I wasnt asking the recipe…was asking your opinion on if pulling shots first or pouring over water makes any difference.
Think-Ad-5514 4 points 1y ago
🤭
pranasoup 3 points 1y ago
sorry, wanted to clarify that these are the appropriate shots because you seemed to think they were +1 for each size.
it is the correct way to pour shots first then water, yes. i think i prefer shots on top but i haven’t noticed a difference in taste, only speed.
it is the correct way to pour shots first then water, yes. i think i prefer shots on top but i haven’t noticed a difference in taste, only speed.
sero5074 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you!
sero5074 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Why are you being downvoted 😭
pranasoup -1 points 1y ago
i think people don’t like change or to be told how they learned was improper, i presume. i’m not sure, here since we’re all off the clock and talking about work. coaching is tough. thanks, homie 🥲
sero5074 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Ahhh that is a good point. I don’t think it’s wrong or bad to ask questions. I am by no means trying to challenge Starbucks’ standards and recipes. It is just something I’ve noticed, as I’ve only ever made Americano the water first then shots, and when I tried it here the standard way, it tasted so gross 😂 But thank you for your input. I suppose it really doesn’t matter how you make it as long as it follows the recipe. I want to ask my SM if I can make them water then shots and have her try them both ways because personally it does change the flavor and texture! Anyway… Thanks again :)
pranasoup 3 points 1y ago
absolutely! i think it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition to offer a long black to customer you think would appreciate it. i offer “cinnamon steamed in” to some customers i think would appreciate that instead of standard, or blonde instead of signature to others, etc etc. like, tbh, we totally know what’s up- why not use that to our benefit? lol. it’s always okay to offer a customer something you think is just… better! but otherwise, i default to standard because i want a customer to know what they’re getting no matter what starbucks they’re going to ya know?
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