With the growth in popularity of home espresso machines, more drink options emerge beyond just straight shots. Two terms – espresso and lungo – refer to expressions made from the same equipment but with slightly differing liquid results. However with more gadgets able to pull both styles readily, what exactly differentiates a shot of lungo from good old traditional espresso? In this post we talk about Lungo Vs Espresso.
Defining Espresso
First, espresso itself needs clear definition, as even that strong little shot means different things in different countries! Generally, 1-1 1⁄2 ounce servings featuring thick, aromatic crema topping a syrupy dark base qualify as espresso:
– Small Volume – Concentrated in tiny 2 oz or less sized servings
– Forced Extraction – Uses pressure of 9+ bars to manually force hot water through finely ground coffee
– Thick Consistency – Full bodied, syrupy viscosity with lingering aftertaste
– Layered Crema – Frothy, nuanced gas bubbles floating with toasted flavors
– Intense Strength – High total dissolved solids (TDS) around 8-12% concentration
Its flavor potency comes from pressurized water interacting with lots of ground coffee in a brief shot pull of ideally 25-30 seconds. Compact pours thus pack powerful aroma and tastes.
What is Lungo?
Lungo means “long” in Italian. Accordingly, it refers to a shot extracted using the same pressure parameters but for an extended duration. Guidance on the exact cutoff duration separating it from standard espresso remains loose, but generally falls around:
– Over 30 second extraction
– 1 1⁄2 – 3 ounce serving size
– Milder strength around 6-8% TDS
– Less viscosity closer to drip styles
– Crema thin or non-existent
So in summary, lungo serves up a lighter, mildly dilute iteration of classic espresso with more liquid but lower concentration. Yet despite differences, both qualify as types of straight espresso.
Examining Taste Differences
Given the varying liquid ratios and dissolution levels between straight shots of espresso versus lungos, how do their flavor profiles actually differ in the cup?
Espresso Taste Characteristics
– Thick, syrupy body
– Intense aroma
– Toasted, earthy notes
– Chocolate, caramel flavours
– Bright acidity
– Very powerful strength
Lungo Taste Characteristics
– Medium, drip-like body
– Muted aroma
– Herbaceous, nutty notes
– More tea-like flavours
– Less acidic
– Medium intensity
Espresso’s compact pour showcases coffee’s boldest elements concentrated for punchy delivery. Lungo instead stretches those components out for a dialed back espresso experience still stronger than typical drip coffee.
Brewing Lungos
Lever espresso makers easily accommodate variable shot lengths. But pump driven machines require some re-calibration to slow flow rate for lungo extraction. Some ways to hack equipment for satisfactory lungos include:
– Override internal timers by manually starting then stopping pour
– Program multi-stage profiling slowly increasing then lowering pressure
– Lower water temperature slightly to delay flow
– Install flow control valve attachment on grouphead
– Use pressurized portafilter baskets containing flow-limiting pinhole
It does require some equipment finesse to sufficiently restrict rapid water pressure. But once mastered, lungo preparation means simply allowing the extracted shot to run longer until achieving the desired expanded volume.
Drinking and Pairing
Both straight espresso and lungos make enjoyable standalone hot drinks. But uses diverge a little based on the differing flavor intensities.
Espresso shines as the foundation of milk-infused café staples like cappuccinos or sweetened dessert-esque treats requiring bold bases.
Meanwhile lungo offers enjoyable subtler sipping that stands up better to savory applications like Americanos or Cortados without excessive punchiness. Its mellower profile also accommodates wider ingredient customization without overpowering additions.
So consider your ideal strength level and intended uses when deciding between these two espresso cousins. Both reward experimenting with different beans, percentages in multi-origin blends, coarseness settings, crema crafting, and other extraction factors beyond just duration alone too. Whether opting for short shots or lungos, you’ll uncover new cause for espresso appreciation! I hope this Lungo Vs Espresso post helps you.