What Is Lungo Coffee?

What Is Lungo Coffee?

If you enjoy espresso-based drinks, you might have come across the term lungo coffee. But what is a lungo coffee exactly? This Italian classic sits somewhere between a regular espresso and an Americano, offering a longer extraction time and a more complex, slightly bitter coffee taste.

What Is a Lungo Coffee?

A lungo — meaning long in Italian — is essentially a long espresso. It’s made by using the same amount of coffee as a regular espresso but extracting it with twice the amount of water.

This longer extraction time allows more flavor compounds (and sometimes bitterness) to develop, resulting in a larger, stronger coffee drink that retains the crema and richness of espresso coffee but with a more diluted body.

In short, a lungo is:

  • Made with more amount of water than a double espresso

  • Stronger than an Americano but milder than an espresso shot

  • Served in a slightly larger cup (around 110ml)

Lungo vs. Espresso vs. Long Black

It’s easy to confuse a lungo with other long-style coffees, especially the long black or Americano. Here’s a quick guide:

Type of Coffee Coffee to Water Brew Method Coffee Taste
Espresso None Short extraction Intense, rich
Lungo Twice the amount of water Longer extraction time Bold, slightly bitter
Long Black Hot water added after espresso Diluted Smooth, lighter body

While an Americano or long black is made by adding hot water after brewing, a lungo gets its length during extraction, giving it a deeper and more complex coffee taste.

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How to Brew a Lungo at Home

You don’t need a fancy coffee shop setup — just an espresso machine or pod machine will do:

  1. Use espresso-ground coffee — about 18–20g for a double espresso.

  2. Select a lungo setting (if available) or manually run the espresso shot for around 40–60 seconds instead of the usual 25–30.

  3. Serve and enjoy — no milk needed unless you prefer a softer taste.

Try brewing your lungo with balanced medium roasts such as:

Lungo vs. Ristretto: The Other Espresso Opposite

The ristretto is the opposite of a lungo. It’s a “short” espresso shot, made with less water for a richer, more concentrated espresso like taste. While the lungo brings out depth and slight bitterness, the ristretto emphasizes sweetness and a syrupy texture.

So if you’re after something longer and more lingering, the lungo is your go-to. Prefer a quick, intense flavor hit? Choose a ristretto instead.

☕ Experimenting with Lungo Flavors

While traditionally enjoyed black, you can also use lungo shots as the base for:

  • Iced coffees — add ice and cold milk for a lighter version

  • Café lungo macchiato — top with a touch of milk foam

  • Blended cold brews like Coarse Ground Coffee for Cold Brew for a refreshing twist

Enjoy Lungo With Your Favorite Espresso-Based Drinks

A lungo coffee pairs beautifully with other Italian coffee styles like flat white, double espresso, or classic espresso shots. Understanding how it differs from a regular espresso or Americano ensures you get the flavor and intensity you want from each coffee drink.

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