The Difference Between Pour-Over Coffee and American Coffee
Pour-over coffee and American coffee both result in a cup of black coffee, free of milk and sugar. However, their differences lie primarily in the extraction method and brewing time.
1. Extraction Method
American Coffee:
- Origin: Americano, also known as American coffee, is derived from espresso, which is an Italian coffee style.
- Preparation: To make an Americano, hot water is added to a shot or two of espresso. The espresso itself is made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure.
- Bean Grind: The coffee used for espresso is ground very fine to withstand the high-pressure extraction process, which results in a more concentrated flavor.
Pour-Over Coffee:
- Origin: Pour-over coffee uses coarsely ground coffee beans and is often brewed using a manual method.
- Preparation: The coffee grounds are placed in a filter, and hot water is poured over them slowly and evenly. The coffee then drips through the filter into a carafe or cup.
- Bean Grind: Beans can be roasted to various degrees (light, medium, or dark) and are ground coarser than those used for espresso.
2. Brewing Time
American Coffee:
- Speed: The brewing process for American coffee is relatively quick. An espresso shot typically takes about 30 seconds to extract.
- Simplicity: The method is straightforward and standardized, making it popular in coffee chains due to its ease of preparation.
Pour-Over Coffee:
- Speed: The pour-over method takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This process is more involved, requiring attention to factors such as grind size, water temperature, water quality, and flow rate.
- Skill: Precision in brewing is essential, as slight variations can affect the flavor of the coffee.
Which is Better: Pour-Over Coffee or American Coffee?
In theory, espresso machines can extract flavors that pour-over methods might miss due to their different brewing processes. Despite this, pour-over coffee can offer a wider range of flavors, while American coffee tends to have a more uniform taste.
The key difference often comes down to the beans used:
- Pour-Over Coffee: Generally provides a diverse flavor profile because it focuses on the characteristics of the beans and the brewing method.
- American Coffee: Often used in various coffee drinks, so the beans are selected to achieve consistent results across different beverages.
Comparison of Roasts
1. Medium-Light Roast:
- Pour-Over Parameters: Use 20g of coffee with a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio (300g of water), brewed at 91°C with medium-fine grind. The extraction time is about 2 minutes, yielding 260g of coffee liquid.
- American Coffee Parameters: Use 20g of coffee to extract 40g of liquid in 30 seconds. Add 220g of water to standardize.
- Flavor Comparison: Pour-over coffee has a richer aroma (berry, floral) and slightly better sweetness. It also has a fuller body and more complex layering compared to American coffee.
2. Medium-Dark Roast:
- Pour-Over Parameters: Use 20g of coffee with a 1:15 ratio (300g of water), brewed at 89°C with a medium-fine grind. The extraction time is 2 minutes, yielding 260g of coffee liquid.
- American Coffee Parameters: Use 20g of coffee to extract 40g of liquid in 28 seconds. Add 220g of water to standardize.
- Flavor Comparison: American coffee shows a better sweetness, while pour-over coffee has a richer body and more complex layers. Americano is more intense and mellow.
In conclusion, pour-over coffee generally excels with medium-light roasts, while American coffee shines with medium-dark roasts. However, pour-over coffee typically offers more complex flavor profiles and layering compared to American coffee.