My ravings about the wonderful shredded herb-filled Refresh sachets are probably getting old, but I keep going to Starbucks, and I’m trying to keep an accurate tea log of what I consume, so, yes, it happened again: another take-away refill of this yummy infusion.
It’s a pretty consistent experience: very aromatic, very refreshing, very satisyfing. What differs every time is the preceding beverage: what did I buy to be able to walk away with a grande Refresh?
Today it was a grande Americano with long shots and room at the top so that I could slosh in some half-and-half. This was a truly pleasant surprise and a reminder to whom it may concern (read: marketers everywhere!), that labels really do matter.
For years I steered very clear of the Starbucks drink menu item known as “Americano”. What else could it be but some gross sort of Folgers facsimile? I mused to myself. I ask most sincerely: Is not that the sort of coffee for which Americans are notorious? Stale, overcooked on the burner in a Mr. Coffee machine centrally located in the lunch room. Everyone at work drinks it because they are so worn out from the tedium of their job and desperate for caffeine, but the dark syrupy liquid in the bottom of that bulbous carafe equipped with a black plastic L-shaped handle and a silver band around the neck is a veritable crime against coffee—and humanity!
My question: Why in the world did Starbucks decide to call a triple expresso diluted with a bit of hot water an “Americano”? That’s got to be one of their worst calls ever, rivaling even such debacles as withdrawing free soymilk from Rewards card holders—after having conferred it upon them!!!!
I wonder how many other people in the universe have no idea whatsoever that an Americano is actually tastier than the brewed coffee at Starbucks. (Well, usually. On occasion I’ll encounter a near transcendent batch of one of their special or dark roasts, but that’s the exception, not the rule, and I have learned the hard way to ask when the current batch was brewed before ordering a cup. Some stores are much more meticulous about switching out old coffee than others…)
My Americano today was delicious, even as good as a cappuccino. Perhaps even better, except that the foam was missing. But setting aside the texture issue (I love a good foam on top of a hot cappuccino or latte!), the taste was superb. The perfect coffee precedent to a grande cup of Refresh, which I savored throughout the entire duration of my two-mile walk home.
People who liked this
Comments
I could be wrong but it got the name Americano from WW2 when the american soldiers would water down their european coffee (espresso) with water to make it more palatable for them and more the strength they were used to.
Thank you for the clarification, Starfevre! I had no idea!
I could be wrong but it got the name Americano from WW2 when the american soldiers would water down their european coffee (espresso) with water to make it more palatable for them and more the strength they were used to.
Thank you for the clarification, Starfevre! I had no idea!