Lungo
Caffè lungo
The long espresso: more water through the same coffee, for a longer shot with a different taste.
A lungo is an espresso pulled long, with about twice the water of a normal shot. From a single basket, 9 g of coffee yields about 36 g in the cup, and the flavor shifts toward toasted grain, dark cocoa and a long, slightly bitter finish.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 85 mg in one serving (2 oz (55 ml), single dose), a concentration of 154.5 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:4 |
| Dose in & yield out | 9g → 36g |
| Grind size | Fine (espresso), slightly coarser |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 0:45-1:00 extraction |
| Serving | 2 oz (55 ml), single dose |
What you need
- 9 g freshly roasted coffee, ground fine (slightly coarser than for a standard shot)
- Filtered water for the machine
Required gear
- Espresso machine capable of 9 bar
- Burr grinder with fine adjustment
- Portafilter with the right basket
- Tamper
- Scale accurate to 0.1 g
- Timer
- Warm cup
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the cup and portafilter. Dose 9 g of ground coffee into a single basket, level the bed, and tamp flat and even.
- 0:20Lock the portafilter in and start the shot and the scale together, with water at about 93°C and 9 bar.
- 0:40Watch the stream. When it turns pale and thin, the best of the coffee is in the cup.
- 1:10Stop at about 36 g in the cup, after 45 to 60 seconds. Serve at once.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 85 mg for a lungo of about 2 oz. Because the extra water keeps pulling caffeine from the same coffee, a lungo carries more than a normal 30 ml espresso, which has about 65 mg, though still less than the roughly 95 mg of a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee.
Why the grind changes
Because water flows through for longer, a lungo is usually pulled with a slightly coarser grind than an espresso. If it tastes harsh or woody, grind coarser or stop the shot sooner.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A lungo is an espresso pulled long, with about twice the water of a normal shot. From a single basket, 9 g of coffee yields about 36 g in the cup, and the flavor shifts toward toasted grain, dark cocoa and a long, slightly bitter finish.
Origin & Story
Lungo means long. It is made the same way as an espresso, on the same machine and with the same coffee, but with more water pushed through, about twice as much, so the shot runs for up to a minute instead of half of one.
A normal espresso fills 25 to 30 ml of the cup, and a lungo might fill 50 to 70. The ratio of coffee to liquid is about 1 to 4, against 1 to 2 for a standard shot.
A lungo is more than a weaker espresso. The flavors in coffee dissolve at different speeds, so as more water passes through the same grounds it picks up things a short shot never reaches, including the bitter, woody flavors that come late. That is why a lungo tastes different, not only more diluted, and why it is usually pulled with a slightly coarser grind.
People often mix it up with an Americano. The difference is when the water goes in: a lungo gets its extra water during the extraction, while an Americano is a regular espresso that has hot water added afterwards.
A single-basket lungo uses 9 g of coffee and is stopped at about 36 g in the cup, after 45 to 60 seconds. In the cup it is toasted grain and dark cocoa, with a woody note and a long finish.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 34/100 |
| Acidity | 56/100 |
| Bitterness | 74/100 |
| Body | 52/100 |
| Aroma | 70/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Lungo?
One serving, 2 oz (55 ml), single dose, contains approximately 85 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Lungo?
Target 93°C (199°F) at the group head. Too cool and the shot runs sour and thin; too hot and it turns bitter and ashy.
How long should Lungo be extracted?
Timing: 0:45-1:00 extraction. Method: Espresso Machine. Ratio: 9g in, 36g out (1:4). Grind or leaf format: Fine (espresso), slightly coarser.
Why does my Lungo taste bitter?
Bitter espresso is usually over-extraction: the shot ran too long, the grind is too fine, the water is too hot, or the roast is very dark. Grind a little coarser, stop the shot at about a 1:2 ratio (18 g of coffee to 36 g in the cup, for example), and change one thing at a time.
Does a lungo have more caffeine than an espresso?
Usually a little more, since the extra water keeps pulling caffeine out of the same coffee. It is still less than a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee, because the lungo is so small.
Is a lungo the same as an Americano?
No. A lungo is pulled with extra water during the extraction. An Americano is a regular espresso with hot water added afterwards, which dilutes it without extracting more.
Who should avoid Lungo?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Breville Bambino Plus Compact Espresso
In this recipe: Espresso machine capable of 9 bar
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