Should Iced Americano Use a Blend or SOE Coffee?

Iced Americano beans fall into two groups: blends, which combine at least two coffees, and SOE coffee, which uses a single origin. A blend gives consistency and a rounded base; an SOE shows one region's character. Front Street builds its Americano line from single origins to lift the low acidity typical of dark-roast espresso.

For a hot Americano, 18 grams of grounds pulled into 36 grams of liquid in about 28 seconds, poured into a 200-milliliter cup of hot water, gives a balanced cup; add less water for more strength. Flavor directions run bright and acidic, rich and full-bodied, and balanced, so pick beans by the profile you want.

American coffee seems simple—espresso diluted with water—but choosing the right beans is the starting point for flavor. This article centers on the types of beans used for American coffee, explains clearly the difference between blends and SOE, and, following three flavor directions—bright and acidic, rich and full-bodied, and balanced—introduces Front Street Coffee's corresponding beans and brewing parameters one by one. Whether you want a cup of iced Americano with crisp fruity acidity or intense cocoa notes, you can find a suitable option here. At the end, a three-step tasting method is included to help you fully experience a cup of coffee's layers, from aroma and color to the first sip.

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee)

The method for making American coffee is not complicated: dilute espresso with water, and usually dark-roasted espresso beans are used. When making American coffee, Front Street combines single-origin beans from two producing regions. This makes up for the shortcoming of traditional espresso's relatively low acidity and gives the overall taste richer layers.

What coffee beans are used for American coffee?

Coffee beans used for American coffee fall roughly into two categories: one is blended beans, and the other is SOE (single origin espresso). The most critical difference between the two lies in the number of coffee varieties they contain—a blend consists of at least two or more kinds of coffee beans, while SOE uses only one kind of coffee bean.

Front Street American Coffee Bean Offerings

How does Front Street Coffee make American coffee?

Acidity-forward American coffee beans

Front Street Strawberry Candy Espresso Beans are composed of three producing regions—Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ethiopia—and cover three processing methods: natural, washed, and honey. The finished flavor profile shows rose, grape, orange, cream, and almond, with a light and soft mouthfeel, sweetness within the acidity, and it is especially suitable for drinking in summer.

Suggested parameters for making hot American coffee: use a double spout portafilter, dose 18 g of grounds (can vary by 1 g), extract 36 g of coffee liquid, control the time at 28 seconds, then pour the coffee liquid into a 200 ml cup already filled with hot water. If you prefer a stronger coffee taste, reduce the amount of water as appropriate; if you want it lighter, add a little more water.

Making American coffee with Front Street Huakui SOE coffee beans presents flavors of citrus, berries, and floral notes, with a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, prominent acidity, and relatively low body.

Rich and full-bodied American coffee beans

Using Front Street Coffee Commercial Blend Coffee Beans, which include Colombian coffee beans, Brazilian coffee beans, and Robusta coffee beans, the resulting coffee has caramel-like sweetness, accompanied by nutty, cocoa, and dark chocolate flavors, with relatively balanced acidity and sweetness, a slight hint of bittersweetness, and a long finish.

Suggested parameters for making iced American coffee: use a double spout portafilter, dose 18 g of grounds (can vary by 1 g), extract 36 g of coffee liquid, control the time at 28 seconds, then pour the coffee liquid into a 330 ml cup already filled with ice cubes and water.

Balanced American coffee beans

Front Street Specialty Blend Coffee Beans are selected, composed of Colombian coffee beans and Brazilian coffee beans. The extracted coffee has soft slight acidity, clean sweetness, and a nutty sweet aftertaste. Overall it is not pungent, with a mild style, and its crema performance is medium.

Suggested parameters for making iced American coffee: use a double spout portafilter, dose 18 g of grounds (can vary by 1 g), extract 36 g of coffee liquid, control the time at 28 seconds, then pour the coffee liquid into a 330 ml cup already filled with ice cubes and water.

Front Street American Coffee Beans

The American coffees made from the above three blends have different flavors. Friends who like acidity: Front Street Huakui SOE coffee beans and Front Street Strawberry Candy Espresso Beans are both very suitable; those who want a richer mouthfeel can choose Front Street Commercial Blend Coffee Beans; if you neither want it too acidic nor too heavy, Front Street Specialty Blend Coffee Beans are a good choice.

Tasting steps

When a cup of coffee is placed before you, do not rush to drink it. You should proceed step by step, as with tea or wine tasting, so as to gain the effects of relaxation, refreshment, and enjoyment.

The first step is to smell the aroma and feel the rich fragrance of the coffee rushing toward you;

The second step is to observe the color. Coffee is best when it is dark brown, rather than pitch-black and so deep that no bottom can be seen;

The third step is to taste. First take a sip of black coffee and experience the taste of the original coffee. On entry, it should have sweetness, slight bitterness, and slight acidity without astringency. Then take small sips, do not swallow in a hurry; you may briefly hold it in your mouth so the coffee has a little contact with saliva and air, then slowly swallow.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.