An American journalist studying in Russia has tweeted photos of what appears to be a new trend in the Crimean Peninsula, the “Russiano” espresso drink.
Oh Russia: Coffee places in Crimea now selling “Russiano” instead of “Americano.” pic.twitter.com/ysBHQq8uvx
— Tanya Lokot (@tanyalokot) November 6, 2014
The tweet shows a photo of a vending machine that calls an espresso with hot water drink — traditionally referred to as an Americano throughout most of the coffee-drinking world — as a “Russiano.” Another photo shows a sign posted on a cafe door that reads (as translated by Business Insider):
“Attention! Given the current geopolitical situation, we no longer have ‘the Americano.’ Please ask for the ‘Crimea coffee.'”
The geopolitical situation, of course, is the American-opposed annexation of Crimea by Russia and Vladimir Putin that dominated headlines earlier this year. It is unclear whether the anti-American sentiment reflected here in coffee comes from forced Russian nationalism, but it is worth noting that the “Caffe Americano” remains an available menu item at the 40-plus Moscow-area Starbucks locations surrounding The Kremlin.
Nick Brown
Nick Brown is the editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. Feedback and story ideas are welcome. See the "About Us" page located at the bottom of this site for contact information.
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Steak tartare is known in France as steak “Américain”. These things happen.
@greg: really? because we spend a lot of time in France, which is less than 2 hours from here, and steak tartare has always been called …. well, steak tartare …. at least until 5 weeks ago ….
@nick: are you suggesting that there is a special police force which goes around forcing people to change the name from Americano to Crimean coffee? It does not seem very realistic ….