Latest news with #Americanos
NDTV
6 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Cold Brew Vs Americano: Which One Has Stronger Caffeine Kick? Find Out Here
Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just someone who needs a caffeine fix to survive a 9 AM meeting, you've probably come across two popular options on cafe menus: Cold Brew and Americano. Both look similar in colour, are smooth and unsweetened and are known for their bold flavour. But when it comes to strength, many are often confused about which one to rely on for a caffeine kick. Do you often find yourself in a similar dilemma? Not anymore! Below, we'll discover which one is actually stronger. But first, let's understand what cold brew and Americano are individually. Also Read: From Black Ivory To Kopi Luwak: 6 Of The Most Expensive Coffees In The World What Is A Cold Brew? Cold Brew is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. It's then filtered and served chilled, often over ice. What Is An Americano? Americano is made by pouring hot water over one or two shots of espresso. This dilutes the espresso but retains its deep, roasted notes. It's typically served hot, but iced Americanos are also common. Caffeine Showdown: Cold Brew vs Americano So, does cold brew have more caffeine than an Americano? Let's break it down. According to the U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA), a 16-oz cold brew typically contains around 200-250 mg of caffeine, with levels varying depending on the concentrate's strength. In contrast, a 16-oz Americano made with two espresso shots and hot water has about 150-170 mg of caffeine. Clearly, cold brew takes the lead in terms of caffeine content. Cold brew generally outdoes Americano in caffeine per serving, especially with strong concentrates or longer steeping times, though caffeine levels can vary across cafes due to different preparation methods. Whether you're brewing it yourself at home or having it delivered to your doorstep via an online food delivery app, both cold brew and Americano are sure to hit the spot and satisfy your coffee cravings. Which Coffee Has More Flavour Intensity? Cold Brew or Americano? When it comes to flavour intensity, the game changes. Espresso-based drinks like the Americano boast a bold and rich taste due to the high-pressure extraction process. Even with hot water added, that sharp, roasted flavour persists. Cold brew, on the other hand, is smoother, with lower acidity and bitterness thanks to its cold-water brewing and long steeping time. It often tastes mellow, with hints of chocolate or nuts depending on the beans. Which Coffee Is Best For Acidity? Among cold brew and Americano, cold brew has lower acidity, making it easier on sensitive stomachs and teeth. Americanos retain the acidity of espresso, although less so than straight espresso shots. If you have a sensitive stomach and love coffee but want to avoid acid reflux, cold brew is the gentler option. The Verdict: Which One's Stronger? If you're talking caffeine content, the crown usually goes to cold brew. If you're referring to flavour intensity, Americano delivers a stronger and punchier taste. And if you're looking for the smoothest ride, cold brew wins for being easy on both the palate and the stomach. Both drinks are staples in the caffeine world, and your choice might come down to personal preference. The best part is that you can easily make both at home or order them from your favourite cafe using an online food delivery platform. Pretty convenient, right? Also Read: Move Over Cold Coffee, Coffee Milk Is The Chill You Need To Try
NDTV
17-07-2025
- General
- NDTV
Is Indian Coffee Better Than American Coffee? Viral Post Sparks Discussion
A recent X post has sparked a heated discussion about Indian coffee beans versus its American counterparts. A Bengaluru-based health educator and author, Dr Nandita Iyer, took to the platform to criticise American coffee and praise Indian coffee. Many users found themselves agreeing with her and championing homegrown coffee. Dr Nandita Iyer wrote, "Say what you will but US is the land of weak-a** lukewarm coffee - they cost $$$ but totally not satisfying, completely lack the robust and complex flavour of Indian coffee beans. Bengaluru cafes, you are the best [heart emoji]." Also Read: 6 Most Expensive Coffees In The World say what you will but US is the land of weak-ass lukewarm coffee - they cost $$$ but totally not satisfying, completely lack the robust and complex flavour of Indian coffee beans. Bengaluru cafes, you are the best ❤️ — Dr Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) July 16, 2025 Exactly - I realized how much superior our beans and baristas are after having cup after cup of overpriced flavorless light brown milk— Dr Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) July 16, 2025 The doctor's post received a lot of interest online. Some misunderstood her meaning and started making comparisons between black and milk coffee. She replied that her post was not about Americanos, but different types of coffee with varying amounts of milk, such as the cappuccino, latte, flat white, etc. Some users also started praising filter coffee, and Dr. Nandita Iyer clarified, "I'm comparing it with the cappuccinos, flat whites, and cortados I have in Bengaluru." In another comment, she added, "Exactly - I realized how much superior our beans and baristas are after having cup after cup of overpriced flavorless light brown milk." Here's how some X users reacted to the viral post: One person agreed, "Finally someone said it." Finally someone said it— Dr gsp 🛸 (@gsp1591) July 16, 2025 Another wrote, "All hail chikkamagaluru." All hail chikkamagaluru— Aśōka ( 𑀆𑀰𑁄𑀓 ) (@naonome) July 16, 2025 A third claimed, "I swear I want to open a Cotha's Coffee outlet here and make millions." I swear I want to open a Cotha's Coffee outlet here and make millions.— Prash (@iPrash) July 16, 2025 "Also the lack of milk puts me off, feels so thin, their coffee," pointed out one user. Also the lack of milk puts me off, feels so thin, their coffee.— Anuj Bhatt (@anujbhatt30) July 16, 2025 "No coffee can come close to sinful, strong filter coffee!" another stated. No coffee can come close to sinful, strong filter coffee!— Vrijilesh Rai (@ChaiBiskutBhai) July 16, 2025 "Maybe because they only sell 100% coffees which are generally 'weak.' Also they don't feel it because they mostly consume as espresso. Hence their Cappuccinos & Lattes are also weak. We generally add more coffee powder for strength and we also have stronger chicory blends," theorised one user. Maybe because they only sell 100% coffees which are generally "weak" Also they don't feel it because they mostly consume as espresso. Hence their Cappucinos & Lattés are also weak We generally add more coffee powder for strength ,& we also have stronger chickory blends— Arun Rao (@ArunRaofinswim) July 16, 2025 Want to read about Indian coffee in a different type of global context? Click here for a special article about chicory - a European root that changed South Indian filter coffee forever.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘I found a stunning White Lotus-style Italy hotel that costs significantly less'
If season two of The White Lotus had you yearning for a chic waterside Italian escape, we've found just the place – albeit at the other end of the country. While that particular series of the hit TV show was set in Sicily, we discovered an elegant five-star hotel on the western shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy, where you'll find tranquil views, Michelin-starred dining and first-class service. Formerly the hunting lodge of the Austrian imperial family in the 19th Century, Grand Hotel Fasano is now a stunning five-star hotel that still retains plenty of that grandeur, making up part of Lake Garda's picture-perfect shoreline. Complimentary pick-and-mix sweets in the foyer was a lovely touch we enjoyed during our stay, and lots of the rooms have balconies or terraces overlooking the lake. We loved how we could walk out directly from our spacious ground floor suite onto the terrace to enjoy our morning coffee while taking in the lake views. Grand Hotel Fasano's AQVA Spa has recently been renovated, and features a sauna, steam room and cold plunge, and plenty of space for lounging. It's all very relaxed and open, and you can easily flit between the spa, the outdoor pool and the lake, which was a chilly 12°C when we were persuaded to take a dip in early April. Although undeniably bracing, we had to admit that we did feel energised and invigorated after our cold water plunge and the experience was one to remember. A stunning five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Garda featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, new spa and stunning views. Evenings at Grand Hotel Fasano start with aperitifs on the terrace, watching the sky and lake gradually turn from bright blue to soft watercolour shades. The bar does classic Italian cocktails brilliantly – Americanos, Aperol spritzes, Bellinis – plus anything else you could think of, and drinks come with enough canapés to almost constitute a light meal. The concoction that got every guest talking, however, was the eponymous Fasano cocktail. A mix of gin, passionfruit syrup and Ruinart rosé champagne, it's presented in a quirky bird-shaped glass, referring to this building's previous purpose as a hunting lodge. After dinner, we also cooed over the espresso martini, served in a teacup- shaped glass perched atop a thin stem. Michelin-starred restaurant Il Fagiano is the hotel's culinary highlight, serving an exquisite à la carte or a five-course tasting menu celebrating Italian cuisine complete with wine pairings, all presented and served to perfection. We found that all dietary requirements were really well accommodated throughout the whole hotel – something that's not always the case in Europe. Elsewhere, the hotel's Trattoria Il Pescatore restaurant does delicious fresh seafood dishes, while Magnolia is the spot for relaxed lunches under its 200-year-old tree. Breakfast is taken on the terrace, and we found it hard to resist piling our plates high with sweet and savoury pastries, local cheeses and fresh tomatoes. One activity you simply must do when staying here is take a boat trip out onto the lake (this can be booked via the hotel). We sailed past the former villa of Mussolini's mistress and the striking tower of Saint Marco onto Isola del Garda, the biggest of the lake's five islands. It has a fascinating history, once serving as a pirate hideout, a home for Franciscan monks and, now, privately owned by the Cavazza family for five generations. Looking like something out of Succession, the villa, its gardens and some of its stunning treasure-filled rooms are now open for public tours, and the island also hosts a small number of exclusive weddings every year. Another nearby tourist attraction that was an unexpected delight was a visit to nearby Vittoriale degli Italiani, the quirky former estate of Italian poet Gabriele d'annunzio. Something of an Italian dandy in the early 20th Century, or the Oscar Wilde of Italy, to say he was a hoarder is an understatement. His house is filled with oddities, including 33,000 books, a coffin-shaped bed, and the bronze shell of his pet tortoise. Fans of good wine should also explore the best of the region's grape varieties at nearby family-owned winery Conti Thun Wine Resort. It's best known for its rosés (although it also makes delicious reds and whites), all of which are named after family members. Decorated with pink barrels, lights and flowers hanging from the ceiling, this is surely the prettiest, most Instagrammable winery you're likely to see. Visitors can book in for tours, tastings and lunch, or you can even stay at the vineyard, which has 24 rooms plus a pool and sauna. Nightly rates at Grand Hotel Fasano start from around £518 for an executive room with lake view and balcony on a bed and breakfast basis. Although not cheap, this is significantly cheaper than the Four Season hotel used in The White Lotus, the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, where rooms range from around $1,100-$4,900 per night. For hassle-free airport transfers and taxi journeys, contact Nicola Astolfi on aironetransfer@ Durable, lightweight and surprisingly spacious, this combines the ease of carrying of a backpack with the capacity of a cabin case. It's a favourite with our editorial commercial content director Michelle Darlow, who packed it on a recent Ryanair flight to Italy to save money on luggage fees. Another tested-and-tested favourite with our shopping team, this is a good choice if you're after something a bit softer and less structured. It's available in a huge number of colours and a handy trolley sleeve if you are travelling with a larger case. For value, nothing much beats this duffle bag from Amazon, which also looks smart and timeless. Available in 28 colours, it measures 40 x 19 x 25cm and fits perfectly under the plane seats, it complies with Ryanair's strict travel luggage rules which allows you to take a free cabin bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm.
Buzz Feed
09-07-2025
- Business
- Buzz Feed
This Universally Beloved Breville Espresso Machine Is $200 Off For Prime Day
If you find yourself ending up at your favorite coffee shop every morning to get your daily dose of caffeine, it may be time to invest in a new coffee tool for your kitchen: an espresso machine. And you're in luck, because right now, you can get the impressive Breville Barista Express espresso machine for 27% off, making it $549.95 instead of its typical price of $749.95. Instantly get coffee shop-quality espresso in the comfort of your home with this wildly popular full-service espresso machine. Lattes, Americanos, cappuccinos and espresso shots are pulled to precision alongside a built-in conical burr grinder that grinds beans on demand and a frother wand for making perfectly delicious steamed the stuff coffee dreams are made of, and it has more than 19,000 five-star reviews at Amazon to prove Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane raves about this Breville machine. She bought it after moving to a neighborhood where third-wave coffee shops are few and far between.'I did as much research as I could, and this model seemed to be a popular and well-reviewed option,' she told me. 'The Breville was pricy, but it gets used at least twice a day. I wake up every morning looking forward to a perfect latte, and I truly feel so fortunate to be able to enjoy this convenience at home.'Check out these glowing reviews from buyers at Amazon, where this luxurious machine has a whopping 4.6-star rating. Promising reviews: Get it from Amazon for $549.95 (originally $749.95; available in two colors).
Tom's Guide
05-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Casabrews has changed the game with the $249 Ultra espresso machine — it has one surprising feature I've never seen before
Casabrews is one of the most famous budget coffee brands of the last few years. Considering it's only been around since 2020, that's no mean feat. The manufacturer's known for cheap and cheerful espresso machines, and the new Casabrews Ultra is no different. It's $249, which makes it one of the most affordable machines on the market. So there has to be something wrong with the Casabrews Ultra, right? Well… it's definitely suited to a certain kind of barista — one who has no need for a steam wand. Someone who drinks either iced lattes or black Americanos… because the steam wand is very poor. Anyway, I digress. Could the affordable price be enough of a trade-off? Could the Casabrews Ultra still be one of the best espresso machines? I'll discuss everything in this Casabrews Ultra review. Price $249 / £199 Weight 13.5 pounds Grinder No Dimensions 12.2 x 10.3 x 12.9 inches Heating system Thermoblock Pressure 20-bar Water tank capacity 73 ounces Accessories Scoop & tamper, separate tamper The Casabrews Ultra is $249 from Amazon U.S. and £199 from Amazon U.K.. This price makes it one of the cheapest espresso machines on the market, let alone espresso machines with a PID controller and temperature customization. Casabrews makes a whole range of budget-friendly espresso machines, including the Casabrews 5418, $169 from Amazon and the Casabrews 3700, $129 from Amazon. Casabrews' priciest machine is the $474 Casabrews 5700Pro, which has a built-in grinder. As I mentioned briefly above, the Casabrews Ultra has a PID controller. If you don't know what this is, it's basically a nifty bit of tech built into the machine that actively controls water temperature. Usually PID controllers are only found on pricier machines (one of the cheapest I've ever found is the Breville Bambino Plus, $499), so Casabrews' PID inclusion here is very unique. Considering the Casabrews Ultra is just $249, it looks surprisingly good. Yes, it's pretty lightweight and flimsy, but in terms of baseline appearance? It's not too shabby. I will note that the stainless steel chassis is prone to tarnishing — there's a small dark mark on the front of the machine after brewing just 15 or so drinks. The machine has four buttons: single shot, double shot, hot water, and steam wand. Yes, turning on the steam wand uses a button, not a knob or a dial. This is similar to the Smeg ECF02 espresso machine. I'll discuss the steam wand in full in the 'Milk' section below, but here's a little foreshadowing:… and I did not like the Smeg machine. The Casabrews Ultra has another unique design feature: the LED screen. This screen is used for customizing temperature, and it also has a timer! Yes, it counts precisely how long espresso takes to extract. This is one of the best things about this machine, hands down. However, the screen isn't all good. Despite having descale warnings, the screen seems to be incapable of showing water tank levels. Once, I was wondering why my espresso shot wasn't extracting (it can't be the grind size, I thought, because this grind worked earlier) and it was just because the water tank was empty. Why's there no alert on the screen? It doesn't make sense. The rest of the machine is as expected: the water tank has a 73-ounce capacity, the drip tray has a red tab that pops up when it's full, and it has a completely metal exterior. I also like the circular groove on the top of the machine, which holds the tamper perfectly. Before using the Casabrews Ultra for drinks, I ran about 150 ounces of water through the machine to clean out the insides. Other users have reported a slightly metallic taste to the espresso and hot water. I thought this might've been due to manufacturing residue, so I flushed out the internal mechanisms completely before using. I'll discuss Casabrews' recommendation for dose and portafilter now. Just as a pre-warning, do not follow Casabrews' advice. It was not yummy. Casabrews recommends a dose of 18-21g for the double shot portafilter. I dosed 18g every single time and had tasty shots, if a little bitter. Upping the dose to 21g resulted in overfilling the portafilter. I don't know where this recommended measure came from, but I would never do it. Casabrews provides a single and dual walled portafilter in both single and double size, but I only used the single-walled portafilter. It goes without saying that I would never recommend using a dual-walled portafilter as it physically cannot pull real espresso. I'll walk you through my routine so you can see how easy the Casabrews Ultra is to use. Using my Eureka Mignon Specialita, I ground my light-roasted Tanzanian coffee espresso-fine. It took me a while to dial in the correct grind: initially the grind was too fine and wasn't extracting at all, then it was too coarse and sour. I'd say it took me about four shots to perfect the grind size for these beans. Once I had my beans dialled in, I had no issues switching between different coffees. I also tested with some Rwandan beans, which required a finer grind than the Tanzanian, and the Ultra handled that deftly. Here's a photo of a shot I pulled on the Casabrews Ultra. I didn't alter the machine's settings: this is the default dose. I dosed 18.7g of finely-ground coffee, tamped, and pressed the double shot button. The Ultra stopped extraction at 64g of espresso, which is about a 1:3.5 ratio rather than the ideal 1:2 ratio. The shot was quite bitter, but overall tasted good when mixed with oat milk. Next, I manually pulled my shot. With my Fellow Tally Pro scale, I allowed the Ultra to extract until the scale read 37g. Unfortunately the shot kept dripping even after I pressed stop, which made the shot increase to 43g before I removed the cup. This espresso shot was much tastier than its predecessor: it was acidic and bright without being sour, and had no bitterness whatsoever. I would recommend reprogramming the Ultra's dose to under 40g to prevent the bitter burned notes from coming out. It's easy to do this with a bit of button-pressing, just as easy as on the Breville Bambino Plus. After the success with espresso extraction, I had high hopes for the steam wand performance too. Unfortunately, these hopes were quite quickly dashed. I have nothing positive to say about this steam wand, so strap in I guess. Firstly, the wand itself is quite stiff: I found it tricky to raise and lower, which meant I couldn't get a good angle for aerating. Secondly, it takes a while to switch between espresso and steaming. I had to wait up to about 30 seconds to purge my steam wand and then a further few seconds until the steam was dry enough to use. Thirdly, the wand itself is very weak. Fortunately the steam is quite dry, but it's not pressurized enough to generate velvety microfoam. I found it really difficult to blend in the larger bubbles and create the necessary 'vortex' for aeration. The steam wand wasn't powerful enough to blend the wet and dry layers of milk to create microfam. The steam wand is nothing compared to even the $149 De'Longhi Stilosa, let alone the best steam wand I've ever used: the $1,800 Smeg Mini Pro. Surprisingly, I found oat milk easier to steam than cow milk; usually it's the other way around. Still, the oat milk drinks I made were nowhere near as good as I would have liked, and I was completely disappointed by the Casabrews Ultra. Here's a shot of the best drink I made on the Ultra, and this is after about 20 drinks worth of practice. As you can see, the bubbles are large and many. The latte art is nonexistent (and I can do latte art). The texture was off. My coworkers reported that the milk was one of two things: 1) it reminded them of the milk they used to make when they were inexperienced (ouch), and 2) it was separated into wet and dry layers. In short, I wouldn't recommend this machine for latte lovers. I'd stick to something like the $499 Bambino Plus or the $149 De'Longhi Stilosa for decent milk texture. Maybe the Casabrews Ultra is just for iced latte girlies and brooding, enigmatic Americano drinkers. As the Casabrews Ultra is just 12x13 inches, it's pretty compact (all things considered). I was able to fit this nicely on my office kitchen counter. I especially like that the top of the machine is wide and flat to store a milk jug, the group handle, and the tamper without taking up further counter space. The drip tray is quite small: I had to empty it after about every 5 drinks. For me in the office, that was half a morning of making everyone coffees. If you're using this machine at home, I'd recommend cleaning the drip tray every day regardless of the amount of drinks made. You don't want to have stagnant nasty water in your house, lest you attract bugs and other unwanted creatures. The drip tray itself is metal, which means it'll likely last longer than an all-plastic tray. In terms of maintenance, Casabrews sells a $49 ' insurance package. You also get a 1-year warranty with the Ultra as standard. The De'Longhi Linea is $229, and is a touch smaller, at 11 x 12 inches. If you're very tight on space, it might be worth checking out. However, it doesn't have a PID controller and I haven't personally tested it, so I can't comment on its brewing abilities. Of the espresso machines I have reviewed, I must mention the Breville Bambino Plus. This tiny machine is $499, so almost double the price of the Casabrews Ultra, but oh boy is it a level up. It's got a PID controller, like the Casabrews Ultra, but the steam wand is actually legendary. It can aerate beautiful microfoam, much, much better than the Casabrews Ultra. The Bambino Plus also has an auto-froth feature for the more hands-off baristas in your life. If you want to save as much $$$ as you can, I'd recommend the De'Longhi Stilosa. It's just $149, and utterly excellent. While the U.S. version only comes with dual-walled portafilters, you can easily get third-party single-walled ones. I will always recommend the Stilosa as the best value espresso machine out there. The Casabrews Ultra is a good machine, but it's not a great machine. If it was just an espresso machine — sans steam wand — I'd be more inclined to call the Ultra a great machine. It's got the makings of everything I want: a built-in timer, a PID controller, and a 58mm portafilter. However, the inferior steam wand majorly affects the rating. I was unable to craft barista-quality drinks. Gone was my ability to latte art. Gone was my ability to microfoam. It's not a skill issue: any other machine, I'm more than capable of doing this. As a result, I'd mostly recommend this machine for ice latte lovers, black Americano enthusiasts, or simply those who want an espresso machine for cheap and don't necessarily care about latte art. For me, though? I think I'd go for the De'Longhi Stilosa.
