You’ve most likely at some point enjoyed a cappuccino, café latte or americano, but lungo? You don’t see that one on most menus. Let’s take a look at what is lungo coffee, how to make it and what makes it so popular?
The coffee drink originates from Italy. The Italians are known for loving their coffee. This hot cup of joe isn’t just consumed at breakfast but throughout the day. When you think about Italian Coffee, espresso is usually the first to come to mind. Like espressos, lungos aren’t so much about the beans but about how the coffee is prepared.
So what is lungo coffee, actually?
Lungo is Italian for “long”, so if you translate it to English you get long coffee. It is made using an espresso machine with either a single or double shot of coffee and water. Unlike other styles of coffee, this one is served black. In Italy, it is common to add sugar to this strong coffee. Sounds a lot like an espresso doesn’t it? Read on and you will find out how the two drinks are not as similar as they sound.
Lungo vs. Espresso: What’s the difference?
So exactly what is the difference between lungo and espresso? Lungo is basically a ‘stretched’ version of an espresso. You use twice the amount of water in a lungo than an espresso. An espresso usually takes between 18 – 30 seconds to pull out of the espresso machine. Because you are using twice as much water, it takes about a minute to make a lungo coffee.
Lungos should be poured into large cups. This is because espresso cups are too small and will not fit the amount of coffee that comes out of the machine. Nobody wants to cry over spilt coffee, do they?!
Because more water is used in a lungo than an espresso, the coffee will not taste as strong. You will also find that the taste is more bitter. This extra bitterness comes from the additional water passing through the ground coffee extracts.
This means that more coffee granules are being dissolved in a lungo than an espresso. So if you enjoy espressos but find them a bit too strong, this could be the drink for you! If you are not a fan of bitter coffee, why not add some sugar to offset the bitterness.
So we’ve gone over the difference between lungo and espresso. A lungo is basically the same amount of coffee as an espresso but with more water. Hang on, doesn’t that sound like an Americano coffee to you?
Lungo vs. Americano: What’s the difference?
Both lungos and Americanos are made using an espresso machine and water. Which makes you ask ‘Is a lungo an Americano?’. The method of making both these coffees sounds the same, but there is a big difference. When you make a lungo, all of the water is brewed and it generally comes out shorter than an Americano.
When you make an Americano you add the water after the espresso has been pulled from the espresso machine. Americanos also usually come in larger cups so you can add as much water as you like to the coffee.
Lungos should be served in a slightly smaller cup because you don’t need to add any water after making it. But if you really like, no one will probably judge you if you do!
Both coffees are made with ground coffee and roughly the same amount of water. So you’d expect them to taste the same right? Wrong. Adding the water after the espresso has been pulled gives you a weaker flavored coffee. Having the water pass through the ground coffee granules, as they do in a Lungo, gives you a much stronger flavored coffee. Great for those of you who like a strong dark coffee to kick start your day!
So now if somebody asks you ‘is a lungo an Americano?’, you now know that the answer is, no. It is made in its own special way, which creates a taste that is different to an Americano. A strong espresso like coffee, but which lasts longer.
How to make a Lungo Coffee
Now that you’re convinced that a lungo is not the same as an Espresso or an Americano, how about making one yourself? The method of making this strong dark coffee is straightforward and doesn’t require too much skill.
As lungo comes from Italy so you should prepare it like the Italians. Hold back on the milk and add extra water and you will enjoy a rich dark coffee to be enjoyed slowly. Here’s the traditional Italian method for making a Lungo.
You will need:
- Fresh, high-quality Italian coffee beans (14-18 g)
- Grinder
- Espresso machine
- Small cup (larger than an espresso cup but smaller than an Americano cup)
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Grind your coffee beans to an even consistency. |
2. | Add two shots of coffee to the porta filter of your coffee machine. Tamp the beans with around 30 pounds of force. Ensure that the pressure is level, so the water can pour through evenly. |
3. | Adjust the extraction on the espresso machine to extend extraction to 35 seconds. |
4. | Pull a double shot of espresso into your cup or glass. This should take 20-35 seconds to fully pour. |
5. | Add sugar to taste if you like and stir with a spoon. |
Lungo Nespresso Capsules
You may have seen Lungo Nespresso capsules being sold at your local supermarket. If you have a Nespresso machine at home this is a great way to see if you have a taste for Lungo coffee. Because the extraction time of a Lungo is different to espresso, make sure you adjust the extraction time on your machine. Pop in the pod, press the button and enjoy this smooth brew.
The Bottom Line
The answer to “what is Lungo Coffee” and “How do you make it” should now be much clearer. We now know that it is not the same as the more common Espresso or Americano. Adjusting the extraction time on your espresso machine is what allows you to make a Lungo.
Letting more water to pass through the ground beans gives you a stronger tasting coffee to be enjoyed for longer.
Next time you feel like having an Espresso or Americano, why not give the Lungo a try instead? A good barista should know how to make it, even if it’s not on their menu. Why not drink like the Italian’s and enjoy a few throughout the day?
