Written by Rasmus Kvistgaard JensenUpdated July 28, 2026 / Coffee / 5 minutes

What is a lungo?

A lungo is an espresso brewed for a longer time. You use the same amount of ground coffee as for an espresso, but let more water run through for a longer period. The result is a larger, milder, and more elongated cup with the aroma of an espresso, but a lighter body. "Lungo" is Italian and simply means "long".

You can easily make a lungo at home with one of our freshly roasted espresso beans, or taste it brewed at one of our cafes around Europe.

In short: A lungo is brewed by pressing more water (typically 90–110 ml) through the same amount of coffee as an espresso. It becomes larger, milder, and a bit more bitter than an espresso, but is still a pure espresso drink with no added water afterwards.

What does lungo mean?

Lungo means "long" in Italian, and the name precisely describes what happens in the cup: the brewing is extended. While a classic espresso is short and concentrated, with a lungo you let the water continue to flow through the coffee grounds, extracting more and ending up with a longer cup.

It's worth remembering that a lungo is not "more coffee" in the sense of more beans. It's the same dose of coffee, just meeting more water over a longer period.

How to brew a lungo

A lungo starts with the same basic principles as an espresso – finely ground coffee and high pressure – but with a longer extraction. Here's a good starting point:

Ground coffee: 18–20 g (same as a double espresso)

Volume in cup: approx. 90–110 ml

Extraction time: approx. 40–60 seconds

Grind: Slightly coarser than classic espresso

Pressure: Espresso machine's ~9 bar

The longer extraction time draws more substances out of the coffee. This provides volume and strength, but can also highlight more bitterness, which is why many adjust the grind slightly coarser for a lungo than for a short espresso.

Lungo vs. espresso vs. americano

It's easy to confuse the three, as they all originate from espresso. The difference lies in howthe water enters the cup.

Espresso: Has a short, concentrated extraction. The yield will be approx. 25-30 ml. It has an intense, full-bodied, and creamy character.

Lungo: Has an extended extraction through the same coffee. The yield will be approx. 90-110 ml. It has a milder and more elongated character.

Americano: An espresso subsequently diluted with hot water. The yield will be approx. 120-180 ml. The character is lighter, softer, and will taste longer.

Are lungo and americano the same?

No. They may look similar in the cup, but the difference is crucial: a lungo becomes long during the brewing process itself, where more water is forced through the coffee. An americano, on the other hand, becomes long because you add hot water to an already finished espresso. Therefore, the lungo typically tastes a bit stronger and more concentrated, while the americano is milder and more diluted.

And what's the difference between coffee and lungo? "Coffee" in everyday language often refers to filter coffee or French press coffee, where water slowly seeps through coarsely ground coffee without pressure. A lungo, on the other hand, is an espresso-based drink, made under high pressure on an espresso machine. Same bean, very different method and taste.

What does a lungo taste like?

A lungo gives you the aroma of espresso in a larger format. You often encounter the same notes – chocolate, nuts, caramel – but in a lighter and more drinkable body. Because the extraction is longer, it can have a slightly more bitter edge than an espresso, which some people actually prefer in a longer morning coffee.

For us, a good lungo always starts with the bean. We roast all our coffee at our own roastery in Copenhagen and always send coffee that has been roasted within the last 10 days, and this freshness is clearly noticeable in a stretched cup like a lungo, where the flavour is allowed to fill more.

How to make a lungo at home

It doesn't take much to make a good lungo if you have an espresso machine:

You will need:

18–20g freshly ground espresso beans
An espresso machine
A cup or mug

Method:

Grind the coffee a little coarser than you would for a short espresso.
Distribute and tamp the coffee evenly in the portafilter.
Start the extraction and let it run until about 90–110 ml (around 40–60 seconds).
Taste it. If it's too bitter, grind a little coarser next time.

Pro tip: Use a soft, balanced espresso like our Campo Das Vertentes, which has notes of chocolate and dried fruit and remains elegant even when stretched.

Our recommendation for your lungo

A lungo reveals the bean because it doesn't hide behind milk or lots of water. Therefore, we recommend an espresso that is sweet and balanced rather than sharp. If you want to experiment, our organic signature coffee Finca Ceylanwith notes of pistachio, caramel, and blood orange is a beautiful place to start. Find the entire selection among our espresso beans, or explore all our coffee products.

Do you prefer us to make it for you? Then stop by one of our cafes; we'll have your cup ready.

FAQ

How many ml is a lungo?

A lungo is typically around 90–110 ml. It is thus larger than an espresso (approx. 25–30 ml), but smaller than an americano (approx. 120–180 ml).

What does au lait mean?

"Au lait" is French for "with milk" and is known from café au lait — filter coffee with hot milk. It has nothing to do with lungo, but often appears when comparing coffee drinks. A lungo is generally served black.

What type of coffee is healthiest?

Black coffee without added sugar and milk, such as a lungo or espresso, is the simplest and lowest-calorie way to enjoy coffee. Which bean and roast you choose is mostly a matter of taste and preference.

Can I make a lungo without an espresso machine?

It can be difficult to replicate a true lungo without pressure, but you can come close with a moka pot or an AeroPress by using a little more water and a longer brewing time. The taste will be slightly different, but the idea of an extended, espresso-like cup is certainly achievable.

Is a lungo stronger than an espresso?

It depends on what you mean by "strong". A lungo often contains a little more caffeine because more water extracts more from the coffee, but it tastes milder and less concentrated than a short espresso.

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What is a lungo?

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What is a lungo?

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