Written By: Sherry Harris
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you’ve probably come across the terms lungo vs espresso. Both are espresso-based drinks, but they have distinct differences in taste, strength, and brewing techniques. So, which one should you choose? Let’s dive into the key differences and help you decide which suits your taste buds better.
Table of Contents
What is an Espresso?
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee shot made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. The brewing process usually takes 25-30 seconds, extracting the essential oils and flavors from the coffee grounds. The result is a rich, bold drink with a thick crema—the golden layer of foam on top. Espresso serves as the base for many popular coffee drinks, such as cappuccino and latte.
Characteristics
- Flavor: Espresso is known for its strong, robust flavor, often with a natural sweetness balanced by a slight bitterness.
- Caffeine: It has a high caffeine concentration per ounce, making it an energizing drink.
- Texture: The texture is thick and velvety, with crema adding a smooth finish to each sip. Due to its small size and intense taste, espresso is typically consumed in one or two quick sips.
What is a Lungo?
Lungo, meaning “long” in Italian, is an espresso variation that uses more water and a longer extraction time. Instead of stopping the brew at 25-30 seconds, the process extends to 45-60 seconds, allowing more flavors to be extracted. This creates a larger volume of coffee compared to a standard espresso shot. While still strong, a gran lungo has a milder intensity due to the extra water.
Characteristics
- Texture: It has a lighter texture with less crema, making it more like a traditional black coffee. Because of its larger volume, lungo is often enjoyed slowly rather than in quick sips.
- Flavor: Lungo has a smoother and slightly bitter taste due to prolonged extraction, which pulls out different compounds from the coffee grounds.
- Caffeine: It contains more caffeine overall, the dilution makes it feel less intense than espresso.
Key Differences Between Lungo and Espresso
Lungo vs Espresso differ in several key aspects, including water ratio, brewing time, caffeine content, and taste. Espresso uses less water and a shorter extraction time, resulting in a strong, concentrated drink. Lungo, on the other hand, has more water and a longer brewing process, producing a milder, slightly bitter coffee. While espresso has higher caffeine per ounce, lungo has more caffeine overall due to the extended extraction.
| Feature | Espresso | Lungo |
|---|---|---|
| Water Ratio | Less water (1:2 ratio) | More water (1:3-1:4 ratio) |
| Brewing Time | 25-30 sec | 45-60 sec |
| Caffeine Content | High per ounce | Slightly more caffeine overall |
| Taste | Strong and intense | Milder, slightly bitter |
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👉 Affogato Shot vs Espresso Shot
How to Brew Lungo and Espresso
How to Make an Espresso
Making espresso requires finely ground coffee and an espresso machine capable of high pressure. First, tamp the coffee grounds evenly into the portafilter to ensure balanced extraction. Then, set the machine to brew at 9 bars of pressure for 25-30 seconds. The result is a rich, concentrated shot with a layer of crema.
Step-By-Step
- Use finely ground coffee to maximize extraction.
- Tamp the grounds evenly to ensure proper water flow.
- Brew at 9 bars of pressure for 25-30 seconds to extract a balanced shot.
- Enjoy your rich, concentrated espresso as-is or use it as a base for other coffee drinks.
How to Make a Lungo
A lungo is prepared similarly to an espresso but with a longer extraction time and more water. Use the same finely ground coffee, but allow the machine to extract for 45-60 seconds instead of stopping early. The extra time pulls out more coffee compounds, creating a larger, smoother, and slightly more bitter drink. Unlike espresso, a gran lungo has less crema and a thinner texture.
Step-By-Step
- Use the same fine coffee grind as you would for espresso.
- Tamp the coffee grounds evenly to maintain consistent extraction.
- Allow the water to extract for 45-60 seconds, increasing the volume of the final drink.
- Expect a larger, milder coffee with a slightly more bitter taste due to prolonged extraction.
Gran lungo vs espresso difference
Lungo or Espresso Caffeine Content?
Caffeine content depends on extraction time and water volume. While espresso is more concentrated per ounce, lungo has a slightly higher total caffeine amount because the longer brewing process extracts more caffeine.
However, since lungo uses more water, it feels less intense than an espresso shot. If you’re looking for a quick energy boost, espresso is better, but if you prefer a smoother, longer-lasting drink, lungo is a great choice.
Taste Profile Comparison
Espresso:
Known for its bold, strong, and slightly sweet flavor, espresso has a rich, concentrated taste. It often has notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, depending on the coffee bean type. The crema on top adds a velvety texture that enhances the overall drinking experience. Espresso is ideal for those who prefer a quick, intense burst of flavor.
Lungo:
Due to its longer extraction time, gran lungo has a milder taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It allows more of the complex coffee flavors to develop, making it more aromatic and less acidic than espresso. Since it has more volume, it can be enjoyed slowly, similar to a regular black coffee. Lungo is perfect for those who prefer a smoother, less intense coffee experience.
Do You Know?
How Lungo and Espresso Affect Your Health
Rich in Antioxidants
Both lungo vs espresso are packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body. These antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, may reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Boosts Mental Alertness
Due to their caffeine content, both espresso and lungo help improve mental focus, concentration, and cognitive function. Espresso, being more concentrated, provides a quick energy boost, while lungo delivers a smoother, longer-lasting effect.
Enhance Metabolism
Drinking lungo vs espresso can help stimulate metabolism, making them popular choices for those looking to manage weight. Caffeine has been shown to increase fat oxidation and improve physical performance, making these drinks beneficial before workouts.
Potential Drawbacks
While both drinks offer health benefits, excessive consumption may lead to negative side effects like increased heart rate, jitteriness, and digestive issues.
The high acidity of espresso and lungo can cause stomach discomfort, especially for those with acid reflux or sensitive digestion.
Additionally, too much caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to dependency, so it’s essential to enjoy these drinks in moderation.
How to Choose Between Lungo and Espresso
Personal Preferences: Your choice between lungo and espresso depends largely on your taste preference. If you enjoy a strong, concentrated coffee with bold flavors, espresso is the better choice. However, if you prefer a milder, slightly bitter, and more aromatic coffee, a lungo may suit your palate.
Best Times of the Day: Espresso is often preferred in the morning or after meals due to its intense flavor and high concentration of caffeine per ounce. It provides a quick energy boost that many coffee drinkers rely on to start their day. On the other hand, a lungo is a smoother, longer-lasting coffee that works well for a midday or afternoon pick-me-up.
Daily Intake of Lungo vs Espresso
The recommended daily intake of gran lungo and espresso depends on caffeine tolerance and health considerations. An average espresso contains 63 mg of caffeine per shot, while a lungo has slightly more, around 75-85 mg due to its longer extraction. Experts suggest consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, meaning up to 4-5 espresso shots or 3-4 lungo servings can be safe for most adults.
However, excessive consumption may lead to jitteriness, increased heart rate, or digestive discomfort. If you prefer strong, concentrated coffee, sticking to 2-3 espresso shots per day can provide a balanced caffeine boost. For those who enjoy a milder, longer coffee, 2-3 lungo servings can be a satisfying alternative without exceeding caffeine limits.
Conclusion
Both lungo and espresso have unique characteristics that cater to different coffee preferences. Espresso is bold, concentrated, and rich, making it great for those who love strong coffee flavors.
Lungo, with its milder taste and larger volume, is perfect for those who enjoy sipping their coffee slowly. No matter which one you choose, both provide a delicious and authentic espresso experience.
Frequently Asked Question
Q. Which is stronger, lungo or espresso?
Espresso is stronger in flavor and concentration, but lungo has more caffeine overall due to the longer extraction process. However, because lungo is more diluted, it tastes milder and less intense than espresso.
Q. Can you make a lungo with an espresso machine?
Yes! Most espresso machines can make a lungo by increasing the extraction time to 45-60 seconds. Some machines even have a specific lungo setting that automatically adjusts the water volume and brewing time.
Q. Is lungo just a diluted espresso?
No, lungo is brewed differently from the start by using more water and a longer extraction time. This affects the flavor profile, making it less intense but slightly more bitter than espresso.
Q. What is the best cup size for lungo and espresso?
Espresso is typically served in a small 1-2 oz cup, while lungo requires a larger 4-6 oz cup. The bigger cup size helps accommodate the extra water and volume.
Q. Can I use any coffee beans for both?
Yes, but medium-dark roasts are ideal for both lungo and espresso. These roasts bring out the rich flavors without excessive bitterness, making them perfect for espresso-based drinks.