
So what makes these types of espresso so different? How do they taste? Differences between a ristretto and a long shotĪ ristretto and a long shot are both espresso, but a ristretto uses less water and a shorter extraction time to create a more concentrated shot than a regular espresso. Italy’s coffee culture is imitated in coffee houses around the world to this day. Those sales helped launch an international coffee sensation: espresso and all its variants. Several years later, one of his competitors patented a refined version of the machine. He built just a few prototypes reserved for his own chain of coffee houses in Italy. Moriondo’s hulking machine was steam-powered and could only brew in bulk. The first such machine was invented way back in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo. You need a specialized device that runs hot water under pressure through the coffee grounds. Traditional espresso and its offspring-the ristretto and the long shot-can’t be brewed in a simple drip coffee machine.

The history of espresso Espresso machines as we know them today are descended from Angelo Moriondo’s invention. Let’s further explore the difference between a ristretto and a long shot by beginning with a little history. If you want to order from your coffee shop with confidence and get the right taste experience, it helps to be familiar with terms like these that maybe aren’t in the average coffee drinker’s vocabulary. Need more info? Read our article on what is a ristretto.The main difference between a ristretto and a long shot is that a ristretto uses less water and shorter extraction time to create more concentrated espresso, while a long shot does the opposite to create less concentrated espresso. Another difference between a long shot and ristretto is that the Lungo has slightly more caffeine. A lungo is a less concentrated coffee, with flavor notes tending towards nuts and caramel, with some bitterness. A ristretto uses half the amount of water as an espresso, whereas a lungo uses twice the amount of water as an espresso. The differences between the Lungo and ristretto are the drinks’ taste and volume. Related: What is a doppio? Lungo vs Ristretto A lungo coffee also enhances the natural bitterness in coffee.Ĭompared to a normal espresso shot, the Lungo also has a slightly higher caffeine level due to the extra time the water spends in contact with the coffee grounds.Ī long shot espresso or lungo is also often confused with the doppio, which is made of double espresso shots. This results in a less concentrated coffee with more developed flavors such as caramel and nuts. …you’re actually tasting more of what’s in that coffee, and more of what’s in that roast. A lungo shot uses the same amount of finely-ground coffee but with more water and a longer extraction time. The differences between a lungo and espresso are the amount of water used and the flavor this produces. The serving size for an Americano is around 6-8 oz, whereas a lungo is 3-4 oz.įor more information, check out our guide to what is an Americano coffee. In contrast, you prepare an Americano by adding hot water to an espresso shot after it has been extracted.

You make a lungo by pulling a shot of espresso using double the volume of water. The difference between Lungo and Americano is how you make it. Related: Can you make regular coffee with Nespresso? Lungo vs Americano

If you have a Nespresso machine, you can make a lungo by inserting a coffee capsule and pressing the lungo button. Continue the extraction until you reach a volume of 3-4 oz or around 35-40 seconds.
