What is an Americano and how is it different from a lungo?
Americano: espresso subsequently lengthened with hot water to 150–200 ml. Lungo: more water is pressed through the same coffee grounds (50–80 ml). A lungo extracts additional bitter compounds, while an Americano simply dilutes the finished concentrate.
Why that is
Both drinks are larger than an espresso, but they are created in fundamentally different ways — and that significantly changes the taste.
Americano:
- A normal espresso (25–30 ml) is pulled.
- Then, hot water is added (100–170 ml).
- The extraction is identical to a normal espresso — all aromas, acids, and bitter compounds are in the same ratio.
- The water only dilutes the concentration but does not change the flavor profile.
- Result: A coffee with the clarity and flavor profile of an espresso, but the drinkability of a filter coffee.
Lungo:
- More water (50–80 ml) is pressed through the same coffee grounds.
- The extraction time increases (35–50 seconds instead of 25–30).
- During the additional seconds, compounds are extracted that would have remained in the coffee grounds in a normal espresso — often bitter, woody notes.
- Result: Larger than an espresso, but with a different flavor profile — often more bitter and harsh than an Americano.
Why the Americano is usually the better choice: With an Americano, you control the extraction perfectly — first pull the best espresso, then dilute it with water to the desired strength. With a lungo, you risk over-extraction because the additional brewing time extracts not only aromas but also unwanted bitter compounds.
The name "Americano" comes, according to legend, from American GIs in World War II who diluted the strong Italian espresso with water to get something similar to their usual filter coffee.
In practice at Green Wall Coffee
At Sophienstraße 27, we make the Americano from one espresso and hot water, the large one with a second shot. This results in a strong but drinkable beverage with full espresso flavor. We do not actively offer lungos — for us, the Americano is the better option.
If you want to taste the difference yourself: Sophienstraße 27, Berlin-Lichtenberg. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Further reading
Related questions:
Also relevant:
- What is a ristretto and what is a lungo? — Espresso Preparation (Portafilter)
- What is the ideal espresso ratio? — Espresso Preparation (Portafilter)
All questions in this topic: Coffee Drinks & Specialties