What is the difference between lungo, ristretto and espresso?
Nespresso has made the terms ristretto & lungo common place.. The have a range of capsules called “ristretto” a coffee blend or mix especially made by the company and they also have a “Lungo” range of capsules which are designed for their push button lungo shot. This makes it a tad confusing for those of us who have little coffee knowledge. Commonly we all have an idea of what espresso is, however when we see a company advertising ristretto, and lungo coffee capsules we can easily think that these terms refer to a coffee blend however this is far from the truth.
So what does this all mean?
“Ristretto” “Lungo” & “Espresso” are all Italian words to describe different shots of coffee, with different proportions of water to extraction methods.
Ristretto
Refers to beginning phase of the shot and limits the shot, allowing only the first part of the coffee extraction.
Lungo
A long shot with 3 times the amount of water compared to ristretto.
Espresso
The extraction method of pressured water forced through coffee beans and is the base drink for all our milk drink coffees like latte, cappuccino, flat white etc
1:3 or 4 for making Lungo
1:2 for your espresso
1:1 for ristretto
What is lungo in Coffee Terms?
Lungo originally a Italian term used to describe espresso coffee with a double amount of water.
It is the opposite to ristretto, strong espresso with made with minimal amounts of water.
There are no rules when it comes to the definitions however the common ratios or proportions
each style of coffee is
What are lungo pods?
With the evolution of single serve coffee pod machines like nespresso Lungo coffee pods have increased in popularity.
Why?
The nespresso machine actually has a button for use with lungo pod varieties and it automatically adds more water for the lungo sized nespresso.
What is the lungo cup size?
6.25 ounces is the ideal cup size compared to the Espresso Cup Ideal of (2 oz/60 ml).
Nespresso’s recommend Lungo Cup Size is (5 oz/140 ml) basically the size of a coffee mug where as espersso is the size of a cup.
The factory setting for nespresso lungo size espresso is 3.75 ounces, or 110.90 ml which means that is how much espresso coffee will fill you cup.
It is able to be adjusted to your preferred amount however a lot of nespresso drinkers like to add milk to their coffee so they can have a large mug size cappucino. Therefore using a mug that has a capacity for 5-6oz of coffee is usual the ideal lungo size.
What is lungo decaffeinato?
Lung decaffeinato is a lungo size decaffinated coffee made with a nespresso lungo capsule or pod. You can see more about which lungo varieties of nespresso pods available here.
When to Drink?
Espresso coffee mug size or lungo coffee is a popular drink to order from a café or make at home.
If you prefer a larger size coffee rather than a small espresso or ristretto size then lungo may be your ideal espresso coffee.
It is a personal preference and lungo espresso is usually for coffee drinkers who enjoy a milder coffee with a great flavor profile.
Lungo coffee is commonly perceived as less intense because of the milder flavor, but it does still deliver lots of flavour to enjoy.
Adding more water to coffee does not always decrease the intensity of flavor.
The intensity of flavor and strength of coffee are separate in the flavor profile of coffee.
How is a lungo Pulled?
To make with a manual or barista style espresso machine all you need to do is to allow a longer pull or extraction time, this will mean you will have more water in your coffee.
Nespresso coffee machines have actually have a button installed and you simply push the lungo button setting while using a NespressoLungo pod from their grand cruz range.
Nespresso has lungo coffee pods designed for that longer pull and extra water is facilitated with the factory set button. for the lungo shot.
