What Is Lungo Coffee? How It Differs From Americano

If you’ve ever ordered an espresso and found it too strong—or wanted something more than a single shot but less than a full cup—you’ve probably wondered: what’s the difference between an espresso, an americano, and something called a Lungo? These drinks all start with espresso, but how they’re made—and how they taste—varies in key ways most coffee drinkers don’t know.

A Lungo is a long espresso extracted with roughly double the usual water volume through an espresso machine—about 50–60ml (for a single) or 120–170ml (for a double)—resulting in a larger, less concentrated drink than espresso but stronger than an americano. Extraction takes around 60 seconds, compared to 18–30 seconds for a standard espresso.

What Is a Lungo?

The word “Lungo” comes from Italian, meaning “long.” In coffee terms, it refers to an espresso shot that’s been intentionally drawn out by allowing more water to pass through the coffee puck during extraction—without adding any extra water afterward. Unlike an americano, which is espresso plus hot water added afterward, or a long black, which is hot water plus espresso, a Lungo is made by extending the espresso brew time to extract more liquid directly from the grounds. The result is a larger drink with a different balance of flavour and strength.

How Is a Lungo Different From Americano and Long Black?

An Americano is made by pouring one or more shots of espresso into a cup and then adding hot water, typically resulting in a drink of 240ml or more. This dilutes the espresso, lowering its intensity and often altering the crema. A long black is the reverse: hot water is added to the cup first, then espresso is poured on top, preserving more of the espresso’s crema and initial intensity. A Lungo, however, is not diluted post-extraction—it is extracted longer, usually for around 60 seconds, producing about 50–60ml for a single shot. This extended extraction pulls more soluble compounds from the coffee grounds, resulting in a larger, less intense shot than standard espresso but still more concentrated than an americano.

Why Does Extraction Time Matter?

Standard espresso is typically extracted for 18–30 seconds, yielding 25–30ml. In contrast, a Lungo extends that extraction time to about 60 seconds, which increases the total brew volume to roughly 50–60ml. This longer extraction pulls more water through the coffee puck, extracting a broader range of compounds and reducing the overall concentration and bitterness. However, because the coffee grounds are in contact with water for longer, certain undesirable bitter or over-extracted flavours can also emerge if not carefully controlled. The grind size for a Lungo is adjusted finer than for a regular espresso to help manage flow rate despite the longer extraction time.

How Lungo Fits Into the Italian Coffee Tradition

In Italy, the Lungo is a common and respected way to enjoy espresso with a larger volume but without switching to milk-based drinks. A single Lungo typically ranges from 60–85ml, while a double may be 120–170ml. It’s valued for offering a more drinkable quantity than a straight espresso, with a richer mouthfeel and deeper flavour than an americano. While the Lungo is less common outside Italy, it represents an intentional method of adjusting espresso to personal taste using the same coffee and machine, simply by modifying extraction time and volume.

What About the Coffee Beans? Why Blends?

Most espresso-based drinks—including Lungo, americano, and long black—are made using espresso blends rather than single-origin beans. Blends offer three advantages: price stability, consistent flavour profiles, and balanced performance across different brewing conditions. For example, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend uses a traditional mix of Brazilian and Colombian beans known for their balance and crema production. Brazilian beans contribute a smooth, nutty base, while Colombian beans add body and subtle fruit notes. This combination is designed to produce the rich crema essential for drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, and it works equally well for straight espresso preparations like Lungo.

Why Roast Level Matters for Espresso Drinks

The roast level of the beans also plays a significant role. Medium to medium-dark roasts are commonly used for espresso because they develop the Maillard reaction compounds that contribute to the body, crema, and chocolatey flavours typical in these drinks. For americanos specifically, FrontStreet Coffee recommends medium-dark roasts because they produce more crema, which many baristas and customers associate with quality. The crema helps maintain texture and appearance when hot water is added, even though the underlying flavour profile will shift with dilution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Lungo and an americano?

A Lungo is made by extracting a single or double espresso shot for a longer period—about 60 seconds—resulting in 50–60ml of coffee directly from the machine using more water passed through the grounds. An americano is made by pouring espresso (usually 25–30ml) into a cup and then adding hot water, typically resulting in 240ml or more. The Lungo has a stronger, more espresso-forward flavour with less dilution, whereas the americano is diluted and milder.

Is a Lungo the same as a long black?

No. A long black is made by adding hot water to a cup first, then pouring espresso on top, which preserves the crema and gives a different texture and flavour balance. A Lungo is espresso extracted longer with more water directly through the coffee puck, producing a larger shot without adding any external water. A long black is “water + espresso”; a Lungo is “extended espresso extraction.”

How much water does a Lungo use compared to espresso?

A standard espresso uses about 25–30ml of water in 18–30 seconds. A Lungo uses roughly double that amount—about 50–60ml for a single shot, extracted in around 60 seconds. For double shots, a Lungo may yield 120–170ml.

Does a Lungo have more caffeine than espresso?

Yes, generally. Because a Lungo is extracted longer and often with a slightly larger dose, it tends to have more total caffeine than a standard espresso, though the concentration is lower due to the increased water volume. It's not as strong as espresso by volume, but the overall caffeine content is higher.

What grind size is used for a Lungo?

A finer grind size is typically used for Lungo compared to regular espresso to slow the flow rate and manage the longer extraction time. The goal is to balance extraction so that the coffee doesn’t become overly bitter or sour, despite the extended brew time.

Can you make a Lungo with any espresso machine?

Yes, as long as your espresso machine allows you to control or sustain a longer extraction time without clogging or channeling. Most standard machines can produce a Lungo if you adjust the grind and allow the shot to run longer—around 60 seconds total.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Lungo

For making Lungo, FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Classic Blend, known for producing rich crema and a balanced flavour profile ideal for extended extractions. The Specialty Blend is another excellent choice, offering a classic Italian-style taste with notes of nuts and chocolate from its Brazil-Huila base. Both blends are designed for espresso use and perform well under the longer extraction times required for Lungo. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.