Is americano coffee bitter, and why does espresso taste harsh?

Espresso often reads as harshly bitter because most people drink it wrong. A shot should be stirred to mix the crema, then sipped in stages, with ice water used to cleanse the palate between tastes. Closing the mouth after swallowing lets the lingering aroma come through. The bitterness itself is not a flaw; undiluted crema and a fast gulp are what make it feel sharp.

Because crema is dense and oily, it carries concentrated bitter compounds, so many drinkers pour a shot into ice water and turn it into an Americano. That is also why shops often list espresso as a hidden option. Comparing an iced americano vs hot americano benefits shows how temperature and dilution change perceived bitterness, giving newcomers an easier entry point.

Espresso has always been the most misunderstood drink in coffee shops. On social media, many people are drawn in by the cool image of downing a shot in one gulp, order one excitedly, and then get caught off guard by its intense bitterness. In reality, the problem isn't that espresso itself tastes bad—it's that most people haven't yet mastered the proper way to drink it. Front Street Coffee has witnessed far too many similar scenes in its daily shop operations, so we've put together this espresso tasting guide. From stirring the crema to drinking it in stages, from cleansing your palate with ice water to closing your mouth to savor the lingering aroma, just a few simple steps can give you a chance to truly appreciate espresso's captivating layers.

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On various social media platforms, we often come across clips like this: a coffee enthusiast tilts their head back and downs a small cup of espresso in one gulp, immediately furrowing their brow, then moments later revealing an expression of ecstasy as if they've tasted a rare delicacy.

Many friends are moved by the emotion in these videos, so they walk into a coffee shop and excitedly order an espresso, wanting to experience that amazing taste for themselves. As for how it actually turns out... I'm sure everyone can imagine!

Similar scenes play out often at Front Street's shop: as the espresso gradually spreads through the mouth, the taster's expression shifts from initial eagerness to a furrowed brow, and by the time they swallow, they've completely abandoned any attempt to control their face, unable to hold back a cry of: How can it be this bitter!! They then turn and pour the espresso into the accompanying ice water, dilute it into an iced Americano, and silently add espresso to their drink blacklist.

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For this reason, the vast majority of coffee shops in China list espresso as a hidden option rather than printing it on the menu. This is to prevent inexperienced newcomers from ordering it by mistake and triggering a series of unpleasant reactions.

But that's okay—today Front Street is here to talk about how to truly savor the wonders of espresso. Beyond drinking it straight, there are actually quite a few techniques for tasting espresso that can help us better appreciate its charm.

Since the density of crema is far lower than that of the coffee liquid, within just a few seconds after extraction it will float entirely to the surface. If you don't take a big sip, chances are you won't get much coffee liquid. Unfortunately, many friends, when trying it for the first time, habitually take a cautious little sip, and as a result only taste the crema—hit by that bitterness, they keep their distance from espresso ever after.

To avoid this, we simply need to pick up the small spoon that comes with the cup and give the espresso a proper stir, letting the crema and coffee liquid blend back together. That way, even a gentle sip will let you taste more of the coffee liquid.

And the benefits of stirring don't stop there—it also allows the fine grounds clinging to the crema to mix thoroughly with the coffee, making the mouthfeel richer and fuller.

Technique Two: Take a Few More Sips

When we taste the second sip, we'll find that the bitterness has noticeably decreased. This is because our sense of taste is gradually adapting, and our perception of bitterness weakens along with it. At this point we can gradually accept the taste of espresso and begin to explore the rich layers hidden beneath it.

Putting it all together, First, take a sip of ice water or room-temperature water.

Next, stir the espresso with a spoon.

Finally, finish the espresso in a few sips or one gulp. Note that after swallowing, you can briefly close your mouth and exhale, feeling the lingering aroma of the espresso continue to spread and swirl in your mouth (this is the true soul experience of espresso). Once you've savored it, move on to the next round of tasting~

After drinking it this way two or three times, there's a good chance you'll become addicted to espresso; otherwise, most people won't want to try it a second time after the first.

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