The differences between a lungo and an espresso are outlined below, after which you will know whether a lungo is better for your needs. You’ll find out the distinctions between a lungo and an espresso once you’ve read this article.
What’s an Espresso?
An espresso shot is a rich, concentrated beverage that is generally one to two ounces in size. The espresso machine forces hot water through compacted grounds and extracts the distinctive espresso tastes you anticipate when it makes these shots. It might take anywhere from 20-30 seconds for the extraction to finish.
The body, heart, and light foamy crema of a shot of espresso are each made up of three parts: the darker lower portion is known as the body, the middle part has a lighter color, and the top is frothy.
Although many individuals enjoy espresso on its own, you may also add milk or sugar to customize it to your preferences. You can get a doppio (2-3 oz) or even a triple shot if one shot of espresso isn’t enough.
What’s a Lungo?
Lungo, which means “long” in Italian, is a shorter method of pulling an espresso shot that produces a somewhat milder flavor. The drink also uses an espresso machine to make it, but it takes longer to pull the shot.
A lungo takes up to a minute to pull. As a result, the water is more abundant, resulting in a lesser taste than an espresso with a shorter pull. A lungo is two ounces in volume.
Because the shot takes longer to pull and the longer time affects the extraction of the grounds, lungos have a greater bitterness than normal espresso. Lungos have three components, but there will be less crema in the shots. If the consumer wishes, lungos may also be had with multiple shots.
Lungo vs Espresso: The Main Differences
The primary distinctions are flavor, quantity, caffeine concentration and appearance.
Taste
Because of the different pull times, the flavor will be distinct. Since extraction takes longer for a lungo, it has a stronger, harsher flavor than espresso does. It also lacks the same taste intensity as espresso because it is less concentrated.
The taste of espresso is quite robust, and the crema, which is arguably the most delicious aspect of an espresso shot. Because less water is being forced through all of the coffee grounds, as mentioned above, espresso has a powerful flavor due to the smaller amount of water that goes through all of the coffee grinds.
Quantity
Lungos are made with twice as much water, therefore they’re larger than espresso shots. A normal shot has about 1 ounce of espresso and a lungo shot makes 2 ounces.
Caffeine Level
The more caffeine an espresso shot contains, the longer it is extracted. This is due to your ability to fully extract the coffee grounds. A lungo has a greater amount of caffeine than ordinary espresso, although not by much.
Appearance
The espresso is a black, rich brown color with golden crema that measures about 1/3 of an inch thick. The crema on a high-quality shot is known as “tiger-striped.” The lungo has a somewhat lighter brown color and is shorter; it contains less crema and needs to be sipped more slowly.
Lungo vs Espresso Common Questions
Is Lungo Stronger Than Espresso?
In terms of caffeine, the lungo has less (very slightly) than espresso. You consume more caffeine than with an espresso shot since the lungo is double the extraction time and larger in volume. Yes, the lungo, in this instance, is considerably more caffeinated.
How Many Ounces Are There in a Lungo Espresso?
On paper, the lungo is nearly twice the size of a regular espresso. Because the espresso is about 1 oz, the lungo will be approximately 2 oz. In reality, it might vary from 45 to 60 ml, but most baristas prefer to stick to 60 or 2 oz for consistency.
Can I Add Milk to Lungo?
The lungo is originally black coffee, but once it’s drawn, you may add milk to it. To maintain the flavor, brew your lungo and add up to 1 oz of milk. This amount of milk won’t have a significant impact on the coffee beans’ flavor, but it will make it softer.
