Are you a coffee enthusiast looking to expand your brewing skills? If so, you are in for a treat. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to make a lungo with an espresso machine, from understanding the basic of lungo, to unravelling many fun ways to enjoy this icon drink.
What Is Lungo?
A lungo is an espresso-based coffee that translates to "long" in Italian. It is brewed by allowing more water to pass through the coffee grounds, resulting in a larger, less concentrated drink compared to a traditional espresso. The typical brewing time for a lungo is around 30-40 seconds, nearly twice that of an espresso, yielding a cup that is approximately 60-90 milliliters (2-3 ounces) in volume. The extended extraction time gives the lungo a unique flavor profile, often more bitter and less intense than espresso but richer in aroma.
What Coffee Beans Are Best for Lungo?
Choosing the right coffee beans is crucial for making a delicious lungo. Here are some tips:
- Medium to Dark Roast: Medium to dark roast beans are ideal for lungo. They provide a balanced flavor that stands up well to the longer extraction time, offering a robust and aromatic cup.
- Quality Matters: Always opt for high-quality, freshly roasted beans. The freshness of the beans significantly impacts the flavor and aroma of your lungo.
- Blend or Single Origin: Both blends and single-origin beans can make excellent lungo. Blends offer a balanced and complex flavor, while single-origin beans highlight specific regional characteristics.
How to Make a Lungo with an Espresso Machine?
Making a lungo with an espresso machine involves a few essential steps and requires specific tools and ingredients. Here’s a detailed guide to help you brew the perfect lungo.
Tools and Ingredients Needed
Tools:
- Espresso Machine
- Coffee Grinder
- Tamper
- Scale
- Timer(optional)
- Preheated Cup(optional)
Ingredients:
- Coffee Beans: Medium to dark roast beans are recommended.
- Filtered Water: Quality water is crucial for the best taste.
Step-by-Step Guide
Grind the Coffee:
- Grind Size: Use a fine grind, similar to espresso. The grind size affects the extraction time and flavor.
- Quantity: Measure out 18-20 grams of coffee beans. Using a scale ensures consistency.
Prepare the Espresso Machine:
- Preheat: Preheat the machine and the cup to ensure the coffee stays hot longer.
- Water Quality: Use filtered water to avoid any off-flavors and protect the machine.
Dose the Coffee:
- Portafilter: Place the ground coffee into the portafilter basket.
- Distribute Evenly: Ensure the grounds are evenly distributed for uniform extraction.
Tamp the Coffee:
- Pressure: Apply firm and even pressure with the tamper to compact the coffee grounds.
- Level Surface: Ensure the surface is level to avoid channeling during extraction.
Set the Machine:
- Extraction Time: Program your espresso machine to brew for 30-40 seconds. If your machine doesn’t have this option, manually stop the extraction when you reach the desired volume.
- Water Volume: Aim for 60-90 milliliters (2-3 ounces) of coffee. This is about double the volume of a standard espresso shot.
Brew the Coffee:
- Start Extraction: Begin the extraction process. The longer brew time will result in a fuller cup with a balanced flavor.
- Monitor: Use a timer to ensure you brew for the correct amount of time.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Preheated Cup: Pour the lungo into a preheated cup to maintain its temperature.
- Enjoy Straight: Drink it straight to appreciate the unique flavor profile, or customize it with milk, syrups, or spices as desired.
How to Enjoy Lungo in Different Ways?
Lungo is a versatile coffee that can be enjoyed in various delightful ways, catering to different taste preferences and moods. Here’s an in-depth look at each method:
Straight
Drinking a lungo straight allows you to appreciate its full flavor profile without any additions.
How to Enjoy:
- Brew Your Lungo: Use your espresso machine to brew a lungo following the steps outlined in the guide.
- Serve in a Preheated Cup: Preheat your cup to keep the coffee hot longer, ensuring you enjoy it at the optimal temperature.
- Sip Slowly: Enjoy the aromatic and slightly bitter notes. Take your time to savor the nuances of the coffee, noting its aroma, body, and finish.
With Milk
Adding milk to your lungo can create a creamier texture and mellow out the bitterness, making it a more accessible option for those who prefer milder coffee.
Options:
- Splash of Cold Milk: Simply add a small amount of cold milk to your brewed lungo. This quick and easy variation softens the bitterness and adds a creamy touch.
- Steamed Milk: Froth some milk using a steam wand or a milk frother and pour it over your lungo. This creates a latte-like drink with a smooth, velvety texture. The SCHWUA Italian Espresso Machine is designed to deliver exceptional coffee experiences. It features a powerful deep-pressure coffee extraction system, which ensures that every shot is rich and flavorful. Additionally, it boasts a steam milk froth function, enabling you to create perfectly creamy and frothy milk for your lungo.
Iced Lungo
An iced lungo is a refreshing way to enjoy your coffee, especially during hot weather.
How to Enjoy:
- Brew Your Lungo: Let it cool slightly before proceeding. Prepare a Glass with Ice: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour Over Ice: Pour the brewed lungo over the ice. The coffee will cool rapidly, creating a chilled beverage.
- Optional Additions: Add a splash of milk or a flavored syrup like vanilla or caramel to enhance the flavor.
Flavored Lungo
Enhance your lungo with various flavored syrups to add a new dimension to your drink.
Popular Flavors:
- Vanilla: Add a shot of vanilla syrup to your brewed lungo. The sweetness and aroma of vanilla complement the coffee’s natural flavors.
- Caramel: Stir in caramel syrup for a rich, buttery flavor that balances the bitterness of the lungo.
- Hazelnut: Incorporate hazelnut syrup to add a nutty, slightly sweet taste. This combination works well with the coffee’s robust profile.
Conclusion
Knowing how to make a lungo with an espresso machine opens up a new world of coffee enjoyment. By understanding the nuances of lungo, choosing the right beans, and following the proper brewing techniques, you can create a delicious and aromatic coffee that stands out from the rest. The versatility of lungo also allows you to experiment with various ways to enjoy it. Embrace the journey of crafting the perfect lungo, and savor the rich, complex flavors that this coffee style has to offer!
