I’ve had it. I can’t hold my tongue any longer. Excuse my frankness, but listen up coffeehouse baristas of the world — STOP KILLING MY CREMA!

Crema is the thick, airy layer of golden creamy “heaven” that naturally sits on top of a properly made Americano coffee drink — shots of espresso and hot water. Seductive for the taste buds is an understatement. Sometimes when I think about that first sip a smile crosses my face that I can’t control. So much so that it bothers my wife.

Unfortunately, many highly skilled and nice baristas do one thing over and over again that mutilates the drink. Never, repeat, never pour the shot(s) of espresso into the cup BEFORE you add the hot water! Pouring the hot water directly on top of the shot will blast the crema to smithereens and weaken it to the point or irrelevance.

Some big chains with coffee shops on every corner are culprits. My guess is that corporate big wigs in order to keep consistency (the heck with flavor) instruct their baristas to always add shots first and then hot water. The shame of it all.

Next time you order an Americano try screaming out, “Damn it! Pour the water in my cup first and then add the espresso!” It works.

Stephen Roth
Eugene