What is Lungo Coffee?
If you’re a coffee lover exploring different espresso styles, the coffee lungo is a great choice. This Italian espresso variation offers a longer, milder shot than a traditional espresso, providing a unique balance of flavour, aroma, and smoothness. In this guide, we’ll explain what a lungo coffee is, how to prepare it at home, the ideal lungo ml, and how it differs from espresso and Americano.
What is Lungo Coffee?
Coffee lungo is an Italian espresso variation, with “lungo” meaning “long” in Italian. A lungo shot uses the same amount of coffee grounds as a standard espresso but passes more water through the coffee during extraction.
This produces a larger, longer shot that is milder and less concentrated than a traditional espresso. Lungos often have a slightly more bitter flavour due to the extended brewing time, giving a distinctive balance between strength and smoothness. Typically, a lungo ml is around 60 ml, roughly double the volume of a standard espresso shot.
How to make a Lungo coffee?
To prepare a perfect lungo shot at home:
1
Use the usual amount of coffee grounds for an espresso.
2
Instead of stopping extraction at 25–30 seconds, let more water pass through the grounds. Aim for about 60 ml of liquid to create a longer, milder coffee.
3
Maintain steady pressure during extraction to avoid over-extraction and excessive bitterness.
The result is a coffee lungo with a larger volume, subtle flavours, and a smoother taste than espresso. Using the right lungo ml and consistent technique is key to enjoying its full aromatic profile.
Lungo vs Espresso: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between a lungo shot and an espresso is the amount of water used. A standard espresso uses about 25–30 ml, producing a concentrated, robust cup. A lungo coffee, by contrast, doubles the water to around 60 ml, resulting in a longer shot that is milder and less intense.
While espresso offers bold, rich flavours, a coffee lungo delivers a more subtle, slightly bitter taste, highlighting different aromatic notes from the coffee beans.
Lungo vs Americano: What’s the Difference?
Both a lungo and an Americano create a larger, smoother cup than espresso, but the brewing methods differ.
- Lungo: Made by pulling a longer espresso shot, letting more water flow through the coffee grounds during extraction.
- Americano: Made by adding hot water to a standard espresso shot after brewing.
This means a lungo coffee retains more of the espresso’s flavour complexity and subtle bitterness, while an Americano tastes milder and closer to drip coffee. Understanding these differences helps you choose the perfect style for your taste.
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