What Is a Lungo and Can Your Espresso Machine Make One?

What is a lungo?

A lungo is a longer version of an espresso-style extraction. You use the same amount of ground coffee as you would for a normal shot, but you let more water run through the puck. The result is a bigger drink that is less concentrated than espresso. You can think of it as the long end of the espresso family rather than a completely separate coffee type.

Standards bodies such as the Specialty Coffee Association use shared terminology to keep coffee definitions consistent across the industry. In practice, lungo names an extraction that runs longer than a standard espresso. The National Coffee Association describes espresso as a bold, concentrated brew, and a lungo follows the same brewing idea but spreads that concentration over more water. The relationship between coffee dose and output is covered in more detail in the guide to espresso shot ratio.

What the machine needs to make a lungo

Nearly every espresso machine can make a lungo if you can control how long the pump runs. The machine does not need a special lungo button, although many machines include one. What matters is the ability to extend the shot volume beyond your normal espresso. The table below shows how different machine styles handle that task.

• If your semi-automatic has preset buttons, check whether you can reprogram the volume. See programmable settings for what to look for.
• If you prefer full control, a machine with manual start and stop gives you the most flexibility. The shot volume control guide explains the tradeoff.
• If your machine has one-touch drink buttons, the lungo may simply be one of the available choices.

What changes in the cup compared with espresso

Compared with a normal espresso, a lungo is larger in volume and less syrupy. Because the same bed of coffee sees more water, extraction continues past the point where a standard shot would stop. This tends to add bitterness and can reduce the bright, intense flavors of a short shot. The crema can also look thinner by the end of the pour.

A lungo is not the same as an Americano. An Americano starts with a normal espresso and adds hot water, while a lungo is a single extraction that runs longer. The flavor difference comes from the coffee bed interacting with the extra water. The guide espresso vs americano vs lungo compares the three drinks side by side.

How to make a lungo on your machine

Start with the same dose you would use for espresso. If you have a programmed shot button, use the largest single or double setting and let the machine run longer than your normal shot. If your machine has a manual start and stop switch, simply leave the pump on until the cup reaches the volume you want.

The exact steps depend on the controls, but these general rules apply to most machines:

• Use the lungo button or a large-volume drink setting on a super-automatic espresso machine.
• On a capsule machine, choose the lungo option and compatible capsule. The capsule espresso machine guide covers the differences between capsule systems.
• If your machine has a built-in grinder, keep the grind setting close to your espresso setting, then adjust if the lungo tastes overly bitter. Machines with integrated grinders make this easy; see built-in grinder espresso machines.
• If you use a manual start and stop machine, watch the cup and stop when it reaches your preferred volume. The shot time guide explains why timing matters.
• Use the one-touch drink buttons guide when your machine has preset drink sizes and you want to know what each button does.

What to look for if lungo is your main drink

Lungo is not a demanding drink, so you do not need an unusual machine. The useful features are adjustable shot volume, a cup clearance that fits your mug, and a water tank that can handle extra water use. If you make several lungos in a row, a larger reservoir means fewer refills.

Check the cup size and clearance guide before choosing a tall mug, and compare water tank capacity if you drink lungo often. If you also make milk drinks, choose a machine with a steam wand. The steam wand espresso machines guide is a good starting point.

The National Coffee Association's brewing guide notes that coffee is personal, and the best method is the one that produces the cup you enjoy. A lungo is easy to make on most machines, so the rest of your choice can come down to other drinks you want alongside it.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can my espresso machine make a lungo?

Most can, as long as you can control the shot volume. Machines with programmable buttons, manual start and stop, or a lungo setting make it easiest. If your machine has only two fixed buttons with no volume adjustment, you may be limited to the programmed size.

Is a lungo just espresso with more water?

Yes, in the sense that it uses the same coffee dose and a longer extraction. It is not espresso topped up afterward, which would be closer to an Americano. See the guide on the differences between the three drinks.

Why does my lungo taste bitter?

Longer extractions can over-extract the coffee, especially if the grind is too fine. Try grinding slightly coarser or stopping the pour a little earlier while keeping the volume where you want it.

Do I need a special capsule for lungo?

Capsule machines that offer lungo use a longer water volume and often a capsule designed for a bigger cup. Check the machine's drink buttons and the capsule type it accepts before assuming every capsule can make a lungo.

Is lungo stronger than espresso?

Usually no. A lungo is less concentrated because it has more water, though the longer extraction can change bitterness and body. It is better described as bigger and milder than as stronger.

What is the difference between a lungo and an Americano?

An Americano starts with a normal espresso and adds hot water. A lungo is a single extraction that runs longer. The flavors differ because the coffee bed interacts with more water during the pour.