“Ever sipped Lungo coffee and wondered if it counts as a normal cup of Joe? Fact is, Lungo coffee is created by using twice the amount of water used in an espresso shot. This blog will demystify everything about lungo – the brewing process, variations in taste, comparisons with regular brews, and much more.
Ready for some enlightening ‘coffee talk’? Read on!”
Is Lungo a Normal Coffee?
The answer lies in how one defines “normal.” A lungo is made using the same method as espresso but involves allowing more water to run through the coffee grounds.
This process creates a longer shot, hence the name “lungo,” which translates to “long” in Italian. While it has a larger volume than an espresso, it’s not as diluted as a traditional Americano.
So, while it might not be the “normal” or standard coffee many are accustomed to, such as a drip coffee or an Americano, lungo occupies its unique niche in the vast world of coffee drinks.
Key Takeaways
- Lungo coffee is made using twice the amount of water compared to a regular espresso shot, resulting in a lighter and less intense flavor.
- Despite its milder taste, lungo still maintains some bitterness and concentrated flavors due to the longer extraction process.
- Lungo coffee contains slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot but is generally considered weaker than normal coffee.
Understanding Lungo Coffee
Lungo coffee is a type of coffee that is made by extracting a larger amount of water through the espresso machine, resulting in a longer shot with a distinct flavor profile.
What is lungo coffee?
Lungo coffee is a type of drink. It uses twice as much water as a normal espresso shot. This makes it less strong in flavor than regular espresso. Also, the brewing process takes longer for lungo coffee.
The brewer pulls this drink for up to one minute to get more out of the beans. Even though it has more water, lungo still has slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot which is smaller in size.
The name lungo comes from the term ‘long espresso’. Overall, its taste is light because there’s extra water used while making it.
How is it made?
Lungo coffee is made using a specific brewing process. Here’s how it is made:
- The lungo shot is pulled from an espresso machine.
- A double shot of espresso is extracted, but with more water than usual.
- The shot takes longer to pull, typically around 60 seconds.
- The increased water volume and longer extraction time result in a larger serving size.
- The flavor of the lungo shot is lighter compared to a regular espresso due to the increased water volume.
How does it taste?
Lungo coffee has a lighter flavor compared to regular espresso because of the increased water volume during brewing. It is less intense and more diluted, resulting in a milder taste.
Despite this, it still maintains some bitterness and concentrated flavors. The longer extraction process gives it a unique character that some people appreciate.
Is it stronger or weaker than normal coffee?
Lungo coffee is generally considered to be weaker than normal coffee. This is because it has a less intense flavor compared to a regular espresso shot. While some people believe that lungo has more caffeine, the actual amount may vary.
The longer extraction time and increased water volume in a lungo result in a diluted espresso, making it milder in taste. Despite this dilution, a lungo still contains slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot.
So if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, sticking to regular espresso would be your best bet.
Differences between Lungo and Regular Coffee
Lungo coffee has a bolder taste and is brewed with more water than regular coffee, resulting in a larger serving size. Read on to discover more about the unique characteristics of lungo coffee!
Taste
Lungo coffee has a unique taste compared to regular espresso. It is less intense and bitter, making it milder and smoother on the palate. This is because lungo shots are made by using more water than regular espressos, which dilutes the flavor slightly.
The longer extraction process also contributes to a lighter taste. Despite being milder, lungo still retains the distinct characteristics of coffee with its rich aroma and subtle notes.
So if you prefer a coffee that isn’t as strong or bitter, lungo may be a good choice for you.
Brewing process
Lungo coffee is made using a specific brewing process. To make lungo, the espresso machine pulls a shot for a longer time than usual, which means more water passes through the coffee grounds.
This longer extraction process gives lungo its distinct taste and lighter flavor compared to regular espresso. The increased amount of water used results in a larger serving size for lungo coffee.
Despite the dilution with extra water, a lungo still contains slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot.
Quantity
Lungo coffee is different from regular coffee in terms of quantity. While a normal espresso shot fills 25 to 30 milliliters and takes about 18 to 30 seconds to pull, a lungo may take up to a minute to pull and can fill a larger volume.
This is because lungo uses twice the amount of water compared to an espresso shot. Despite the increased water volume, a lungo still contains slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot.
Usually, a lungo coffee drink has a serving size of two ounces. So if you prefer more coffee in your cup, then lungo could be the right choice for you.
Common Confusion with Other Coffee Varieties
Many people confuse lungo with other coffee varieties such as Americano and espresso, but there are distinct differences in taste and brewing process.
Americano vs. Lungo
An Americano and a Lungo may seem quite similar, but there are distinct differences between the two that are found in their brewing process and final flavors.
| Americano | Lungo | |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing Process | An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso, diluting the taste. | A Lungo is made by extracting an espresso shot with twice the amount of water, resulting in a longer extraction process and a less intense flavor. |
| Flavor | Due to the dilution with water, an Americano has a lighter flavor, similar to a traditionally brewed coffee, but with a different aroma and taste due to the espresso at its base. | Despite the increased water volume, a Lungo maintains a stronger flavor compared to an Americano, since the coffee grounds are exposed to water for a longer period allowing more flavors to be extracted. |
| Caffeine Content | Decided by the espresso shot. Additional hot water does not increase caffeine content. | Due to the longer extraction time, a Lungo contains slightly more caffeine than a regular espresso shot and consequently, more than an Americano. |
| Serving Size | An Americano typically has a larger serving size, due to the addition of hot water. | A Lungo has a standard serving size of two ounces, resulting from the increased water volume during the brewing process. |
While both beverages are derived from espresso, the process of brewing, flavor, caffeine content, and serving size varies between an Americano and a Lungo, offering coffee lovers diverse options to choose from.
Espresso vs. Lungo
Espresso and lungo are both types of coffee, but there are some key differences between them. Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee that is brewed using high pressure and finely ground beans.
It has a strong and intense flavor with a thick layer of crema on top. On the other hand, lungo is made by pulling an espresso shot for a longer amount of time, resulting in a larger volume and more diluted taste.
While espresso typically fills 25 to 30 milliliters, a lungo can take up to a minute to pull and may fill a larger volume. Despite the dilution, a lungo still contains slightly more caffeine than an espresso shot.
So if you prefer a stronger and bolder taste, go for an espresso; but if you enjoy milder flavors with more volume, try out a lungo instead.
Latte and Lungo
A latte and a lungo are two different coffee drinks. While a lungo is made by pulling a longer shot of espresso, a latte is made by combining espresso with steamed milk.
The flavor of a lungo is lighter compared to a regular espresso due to the increased water volume, while a latte has a creamy and mild taste because of the added milk. So, if you prefer a bolder and stronger coffee flavor, go for the lungo, but if you enjoy something smoother and creamier, opt for the latte.
Conclusion: Is Lungo a Normal Coffee?
Lungo is a type of coffee that is made using twice the amount of water as a regular espresso shot. It has a less intense flavor and is pulled for a longer time, resulting in a diluted espresso.
While it may have more caffeine than an espresso, it is still considered to be a normal coffee variant with its own unique taste profile.
FAQ
What is a lungo coffee?
A lungo is not a normal coffee, but rather it’s a variant of espresso shot that uses more water.
How does lungo differ from ristretto?
While both are variants of espresso, the ratio of water to coffee in making lungo is higher than that used in ristretto.
Can I get a lungo at a regular coffeehouse?
Yes, most places that have specialty coffee and adhere to broader coffee culture can make you a good cup of Lungo.
How does roasting affect the flavor of my lungo?
The type and duration of roasting your beans can change how strong or light your Lungo tastes since it directly influences your specialty coffees’ flavors.
