Lungo coffee: what is it and why choose it?
- February 06, 2026
Do you sometimes find espresso a bit too intense, but still want to enjoy a clear coffee flavour? Then you’ll quickly come across lungo coffee. A lungo is made with more water than an espresso, giving you a larger cup with a milder, rounder flavour.
Here you’ll find out exactly what lungo coffee is and why this coffee choice is so popular among lovers of a balanced cup.
What is Lungo coffee?
Lungo coffee is a coffee speciality made with the same amount of ground coffee as an espresso, but with more water. During brewing, you let the water run through for longer, resulting in a larger cup of coffee. On average, a lungo contains about 80 to 120 ml of coffee, while an espresso stays around 25 to 30 ml.
The name lungo comes from Italian and literally means ‘long’. This refers not only to the amount of coffee in your cup but especially to the brewing method. Because the water stays in contact with the ground coffee for longer, different flavour compounds are extracted than with an espresso. This creates a softer, less concentrated flavour without the coffee becoming watery.
Lungo is often made with an espresso machine or bean-to-cup machine and sits in character exactly between espresso and a longer coffee drink. That makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy a full coffee flavour but prefer a bit more calm and balance in their cup.
What does a Lungo coffee taste like?
The flavour of lungo coffee is soft, round and well balanced. Because more water passes through the coffee than with an espresso, the flavour is less concentrated. You clearly taste coffee, but without the sharp intensity that espresso can sometimes have.
In a well-made lungo you often recognise light chocolate notes, nutty flavours and sometimes a subtle sweetness. Depending on the coffee beans used, soft fruity or caramel-like nuances can also come through. Bitterness usually remains limited, as long as the coffee doesn’t run through too long and the grind is right.
Lungo, espresso or americano: the differences
Lungo, espresso and americano are often compared, but they clearly differ in brewing method, flavour and volume. The table below shows at a glance what distinguishes these coffee types.
| Feature | Espresso | Lungo | Americano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | ± 25–30 ml | ± 80–120 ml | ± 120–180 ml |
| Brewing method | Short extraction | Longer extraction | Espresso + hot water |
| Water during brewing | Little | More | Only with espresso |
| Flavour | Intense and strong | Soft and full | Light and mild |
| Bitterness | Clearly present | Limited if brewed right | Low |
| Caffeine | High per ml | Slightly more total | Comparable to espresso |
With a lungo, the water runs through the ground coffee for longer during brewing. This creates more volume and a milder flavour than espresso. An americano is made differently: you add hot water to an espresso, which lightens the flavour but in a different way than a lungo.
If you choose balance and a longer coffee moment, lungo often suits better than espresso or americano.
How do you make a good Lungo coffee?
A good lungo starts with the right settings. You use the same amount of coffee as for an espresso but let more water run through. That sounds simple, but the balance is important to prevent the coffee from becoming bitter.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use 7–9 grams of ground coffee per cup
- Set your machine to 80–120 ml of water
- Let the coffee run through for 30 to a maximum of 40 seconds
- Grind slightly coarser than for espresso to avoid over-extraction
You can make a lungo most easily with a bean-to-cup coffee machine, piston machine or espresso machine. Many bean-to-cup machines even have a separate lungo setting. If you use a piston machine, pay extra attention to the brewing time.
If the coffee runs through too long, you extract too many bitter compounds. If it’s brewed too short, it lacks body. By playing a bit with grind size and water amount, you’ll find the ratio that suits your taste.
Which coffee beans are suitable for Lungo?
Not every coffee bean performs well as lungo. Because more water passes through the coffee, it’s important the flavour stays balanced. Beans that are roasted too dark or taste very bitter can quickly dominate in a lungo.
For lungo coffee, you preferably choose:
Espresso beans work perfectly for lungo as long as they aren’t too heavy or smoky. Beans specially blended for lungos are often a bit more refined in flavour, so they come into their own better in a larger cup.
By trying different beans, you’ll quickly notice what suits your taste. One lungo isn’t the same as another, and that’s what makes it fun to vary.
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