Lungo

Lungo

A lungo served in a Duralex glass.

A lungo is a type of coffee beverage made by using an espresso machine to make an espresso with more water, resulting in a larger coffee, a "long" espresso. The word "lungo" means "long" in Italian.

Preparation

A lungo is made by extracting an espresso shot with about twice the amount of water as a standard espresso. This results in a coffee that is larger in volume but has a different taste profile compared to a regular espresso. The extraction time is longer, which can lead to a more bitter taste due to the prolonged contact of water with the coffee grounds.

Comparison with Other Coffee Drinks

A lungo is often compared to other coffee drinks such as the ristretto and the americano.

• A ristretto is made with the same amount of coffee grounds as an espresso but with less water, resulting in a more concentrated flavor.
• An americano is made by adding hot water to a standard espresso shot, which dilutes the coffee but retains the espresso's flavor profile.

Variations

There are several variations of the lungo, depending on the amount of water used and the type of coffee beans. Some prefer a "short lungo" with slightly less water, while others enjoy a "long lungo" with even more water.

Serving

Lungo is typically served in a larger cup than a standard espresso, often in a glass or ceramic cup. It is popular in many European countries and is often enjoyed as a morning or afternoon coffee.

Related Pages

• Espresso
• Ristretto
• Americano (coffee)
• Coffee preparation