American Coffee: debunking a few myths

American coffee (also known as drip coffee or filter coffee) has become a highly stereotyped beverage, often unfairly labelled here in Italy as nothing more than “dirty water.” On average, one in three Italians believes that Italian coffee is the absolute best in the world—likely due to habits and traditions passed down through generations. This sometimes leads us to see coffee as part and parcel of Italian culinary prowess—undoubtedly among the best globally.

Here are four myths we need to clear up about this popular drink:

American coffee is just an espresso diluted with hot water.
Not quite. True American coffee has very little in common with espresso. If you want to enjoy a proper cup of filter coffee, you’ll be served a brew prepared using a completely different method. American coffee is typically made through infusion or percolation, using tools like a Chemex, French Press, Aeropress, or V60. So it’s not just about adding more water—it’s about a preparation method that’s undoubtedly more nuanced and technical.

American coffee contains less caffeine than espresso.
Actually, it can contain up to three times more. The caffeine content depends on the blend used and how the coffee is prepared. The faster the extraction process, the less caffeine is released. So technically, the “longer” the coffee, the more caffeine it tends to contain.

Filter coffee uses lower quality beans than espresso.
Not at all. The rise of brewing has brought about a new wave of carefully crafted, artisanal roasting techniques, giving life to top-quality coffees. These are often beans with specific origins and refined flavour profiles. Thanks to brewing, we’ve entered the renowned world of single origin and Specialty Coffee.

Espresso and American coffee use the same roast.
Each brewing method calls for a specific roast profile. Espresso and moka coffee require a darker roast to enhance body and bitterness. On the other hand, filter coffee is best with a lighter roast, which brings out its aromatic notes in the cup. American coffee, being an infusion, is naturally more delicate—more akin to sipping a tea than downing a shot.

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