Lungo (lit. 'long'), known in full in Italian as caffè lungo, is a coffee made by using an espresso machine to make an Italian-style coffee—short black (a single espresso shot) with more water (generally twice as much), resulting in a larger coffee, a lungo.
Lungo coffee is like an extended espresso, exactly what the Italian word “lungo” – meaning “long” – suggests. You’ll find it offers a flavorful middle ground, not as punchy as a traditional espresso, but not as weak as a larger, weaker coffee.
Americano, ristretto, and now lungo? It can be hard to keep up on the different variants of espresso that coffee shop and espresso machines have to offer. But fear not! We're going to give you the full run down on what a lungo is, how it differs from its fellow menu items, and even how to make it.
What is a Lungo?: Getting to Know Your Espresso - Roasty Coffee
A lungo — meaning “long” in Italian — is an espresso made with best coffee selections by pulling a shot for a longer period. This results in a beverage with more volume, meaning more water.
What Is a Lungo Coffee: How It Differs from a Regular Espresso
“Lungo” means “Long” in Italian and is essentially an espresso shot that is brewed longer and with more water. Lungo shots are around 2-3oz (60-90mL) in size and are often pulled for 40 seconds, which is twice as long as a traditional espresso shot.
What Is Lungo Coffee? (How It Tastes And How To Make It)
Lungo coffee is essentially a “stretched” version of espresso, where more water is passed through the grounds. While the word “lungo” means “long” in Italian, referring to the longer extraction time and larger volume, here’s what you need to know: