You have come to the correct place if you are new to the fascinating world of craft coffee or want to order a specialised beverage like a pro.

The Mi Café team enjoys blending and attempting new combinations, but they frequently return to Eugene's traditional americano and sensuous long blacks due to their simplicity and fantastic flavour profiles.

Take a drink of each coffee, and you will notice that they all taste rather different. If you don't know how each type of coffee is created, how can you choose between a long black and a latte or an americano and an affogato?

Let's explore the mysteries of the barista's trade and the differences between long blacks and americano in Eugene.

THE DISTINCTIVE MAKE-UP OF AN AMERICANO

As opposed to what you may expect, we will start with Americanos.

Instead, this all-purpose coffee was developed by Italians to satisfy the preferences of American travellers, hence the name.

If you have ever had coffee in Italy, you'll know that the preferred beverage is an espresso, a strong, rich brew that many people feel to be excessively potent.

An americano in Eugene is a milder variation that is somewhat more like the filter coffee that tourists were used to.

HOW IS AN AMERICANO IN EUGENE MADE OF?

Any barista will tell you that making a good cup of coffee depends on the order in which you pour the water, espresso, and, if necessary, milk.

You should pour the espresso into the cup first, then the water, to make an americano in Eugene.

The midst of the two layers, which is paler crema, is crucial.

WHAT DOES AN AMERICANO COFFEE TASTE LIKE?

If you want a coffee with a more luxurious flavour profile than a filter cup, but something a touch softer than a powerful espresso, an americano is the ideal choice.

The typical sweetness and full-bodied flavour of espresso are present, but the harshness is toned down.

A perfect cup of coffee should always be silky smooth, no matter how strong; if you choose an outstanding quality coffee like Our americano coffee, you won't need to worry about adding sugar to cover up the bitterness.

HOW IS A LONG BLACK MADE?

It all comes down to the order in which you mix your hot water and espresso, as we hinted at previously.

In order to make a long black, boiling water is added first, followed by espresso.

You have two layers with the majority of the espresso crema delicately balanced on top, as opposed to that crema layer in the middle (we'll get to that momentarily!

WHY IS CREMA A DEFINING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AMERICANO AND A LONG BLACK?

The crema is the golden foam you'll see on the top of a fresh cup of espresso - it's got nothing whatsoever to do with cream!

Crema is sometimes considered hugely important to the coffee drinking experience, but some feel that it's not that big a deal (we'll let you make your mind up!).

The crema forms because of the speed and heat at which espresso is made - if there isn't a crema, you could be drinking stale espresso that won't have as creamy a taste.

It's worth understanding because it's a sign that you've been served an americano rather than a long black - or vice versa.

SHOULD I DRINK AMERICANOS OR LONG BLACKS?

Choose an exceptional bean, and any coffee you make from it will taste divine, whichever camp you are in!

An  americano coffee  is an espresso with added water, so it tastes more like a strong coffee, simple, assertive and full of flavour.

Long backs are narrowly different - it's water with espresso, so you get a bolder flavour, with a better-rounded taste.

They might sound the same, but if you're a coffee connoisseur, you'll know those notes and tones can make a world of difference - and the devil, as always, is in the detail!