Aerocano Vs Americano: What's The Big Difference?

A new name has found its way onto the menu at Starbucks: the aerocano, and as you may have already guessed, it's a new take on the Americano. The global coffee chain first launched its aerocano in South Korea earlier this year, and it quickly became one of its most popular drinks in the country. The drink did not actually originate with Starbucks, as there are posts on the Reddit espresso forum going back several years discussing the foamy iced coffee take on the Americano, and it's not quite clear where it came from before that, but it's certainly seeing a surge of interest as a major coffee chain like Starbucks starts to sell them. And unlike so many of the company's creations that have relied on unique flavors or additions, the only thing that sets the aerocano apart from the Americano is air.

Your standard Americano is just espresso and water, and the aerocano uses the exact same base. The only extra step is that after the coffee is mixed with the water, it is injected with air using a steam wand or similar instrument. This gives the drink a lighter, softer texture, similar to a nitro-pour cold brew. It also creates an impressive cascading effect after being poured into a glass.

While the creamy feel of an aerocano is the biggest change from an Americano, the extra air also affects the flavor. The air lightens the taste and makes it smoother, almost like milk would, but without any actual additions. It's still a very espresso-forward drink, like an Americano, just a little less harsh and easier to drink.

While the base ingredients are the same, there is a little more to making an aerocano than just air. First off, it is usually a cold drink, and ice is essential in making it. Instead of mixing brewed espresso with water, it's mixed with ice in a frothing cup. Only then is the air injected, and the ice will melt and prevent the container from being overheated by the hot steamer. Once the ice has melted and you have a lighter brown, foamy mixture, it gets poured over more ice and served.

One of the best things about aerocanos is that while they really change the texture of an Americano, they are easy to make at home for anyone who has a frother or steaming wand. On that same Reddit espresso sub that first popularized the drink online, one commenter says, "I wanted a nitro brew at home and this was far easier," while another raves, "[I]t has made so many summer days better for me, the wife, and our friends. Simple, easy to do, and crazy delicious."

It may just be a little air, but the aerocano shows how much difference a little technique can make, like the switch from a coffee with milk to a latte. So don't dismiss this as some Starbucks-driven drink trend that will disappear and never be seen again. Even if it doesn't join the ranks of the most popular espresso drinks, the aerocano has some real strengths that will mean it probably sticks around.