Espresso, ristretto or lungo: this is the difference

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Espresso, ristretto and lungo may seem similar, but they taste very different. The difference is not in the coffee, but in the water. For all three, you start with the same amount of coffee, for example 18 grams. Then you let more or less water run through it.

The difference in one table

Feature Ristretto Espresso Lungo
Coffee 18 g 18 g 18 g
Ratio 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.5 1 : 2 1 : 3 to 1 : 4
In the cup 18 to 27 g 36 g 54 to 72 g
Time 15 to 20 sec 25 to 30 sec 40 to 60 sec
Taste sweet, syrupy, intense balanced, round, layered mild, lighter, accessible

These are guidelines. How finely you grind and how hot your water is also play a role. Read more about ratios in brew ratios explained.

Ristretto: short and concentrated

With a ristretto, you stop the extraction earlier. This means that mainly the sweet, concentrated part of the coffee ends up in your cup. The result is syrupy and intense, with little bitterness. Read more in espresso vs ristretto.

Espresso: the balance

An espresso is right in the middle. You taste sweetness, acidity and body in balance. It is the basis for many coffee drinks, such as cappuccino and flat white.

Lungo: long and mild

With a lungo, you let much more water run through the coffee. The coffee is lighter and milder, with less body. This makes it accessible if you want a larger cup. Read more in espresso vs lungo.

Which beans suit which cup?

  • Espresso: beans with balance between sweetness, body and aroma. Think of coffee from Brazil, Colombia or Guatemala.
  • Ristretto: coffees with a lot of sweetness and body, such as natural or honey processed coffees.
  • Lungo: light to medium roasts with a fresh, elegant taste.

This is how you taste the difference yourself

  1. Choose one coffee and grind 18 grams per cup.
  2. First make an espresso of 36 grams.
  3. Then make a ristretto and a lungo with the same grind and the same coffee.
  4. Weigh the coffee in your cup. A scale with timer helps with this.
  5. Taste them one after another and pay attention to sweetness, body and aftertaste.

Ready to taste?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between espresso, ristretto, and lungo?

They use the same amount of coffee, but a different amount of water. Ristretto is short and concentrated, espresso is in the middle, and lungo is long and mild.

Which one tastes the most intense?

Ristretto tastes the most intense and syrupy because it is brewed for the shortest time. Lungo tastes the mildest.

Which coffee beans are suitable for espresso, ristretto, and lungo?

For espresso, round, balanced beans, such as those from Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala, are suitable. For ristretto, coffees with a lot of sweetness and body, such as naturals, are suitable. For lungo, light to medium roasts with a fresh flavor work well.