Posted Sat Jun 2, 2012, 11:17am Subject: Luongo -- why so little love?
It seems like luongos get way less attention (and praise) here than Americanos. I like straight espresso, but sometimes I need something that I can sip and will last longer than two minutes. Also, if I have more than a couple espressos, I get rather thirsty and sometimes just want something more diluted.
Over the past month (which is how long I've had an espresso machine) I've been making Americanos often. I like them, but they're a bit thin and watery -- probably from all the water that's added ; ) I can enjoy an occasional cappucino, but I prefer my coffee unadulterated. Lattes are too light for me.
So, finally today, I remembered to try a Luongo. I used 8 gms of Brazilian coffee and 8 gms of sumatran decaf. I used a very slightly coarser grind than usual and pulled a 60 second shot (got a little more than 5 oz). The result was a rich, full bodied and highly enjoyable cup with a nice crema on top.
I'll be experimenting further with luongos but was wondering if there are any fans out there and any particular tips for good luongos?
Also, are Americanos better-liked by many and why?
frankthecrank Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 102 Location: niagara falls, ny Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jun 3, 2012, 8:30am Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
I tend to make americanos more often. I can get a cup that is as good as one made with my chemex by using a Bialetti moka pot. It is so good I can't think of any reason to change my order of ingredients. And since I use cream and sugar I doin't need to see the crema. Again I must reiterate the old command that fresh beans are key. Americanos are underrated it seems to me. I've tried a long black or two using my Gaggia Classic but I keep going back to my old standby--moka first, water after.
Posted Sun Jun 3, 2012, 1:02pm Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
Just a thought, and not to pick on you or anything, but have you tried searching for the correct spelling - lungo? I'm not well-versed in the amount of content covering lungos on this site, but removing that first o may aid your search. Cheers!
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,723 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Mon Jun 4, 2012, 7:53am Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
BarryR Said:
I used 8 gms of Brazilian coffee and 8 gms of sumatran decaf. I used a very slightly coarser grind than usual and pulled a 60 second shot (got a little more than 5 oz). The result was a rich, full bodied and highly enjoyable cup with a nice crema on top.
I'll be experimenting further with luongos but was wondering if there are any fans out there and any particular tips for good luongos?
Yes, as Steve said, if you search for lungo, rather than luongo, you should get many more hits, as it would be the correct spelling.
standard espresso lungo is about 2-3 oz for a single shot, so you're pulling about twice that from a single shot. There are a lot of terms out there that describe the kind of drink your having. The problem is that everyone seems to have their own definition, when it comes to anything but the standards. Whether your drink is a long lungo, strong americano, long black or something else, I don't really know. Having said all that, I suspect there are lots of others, particularly those who say they like americanos, who prefer just what you're describing.
Posted Mon Jun 4, 2012, 8:18am Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
emradguy Said:
Yes, as Steve said, if you search for lungo, rather than luongo, you should get many more hits, as it would be the correct spelling.
standard espresso lungo is about 2-3 oz for a single shot, so you're pulling about twice that from a single shot. There are a lot of terms out there that describe the kind of drink your having. The problem is that everyone seems to have their own definition, when it comes to anything but the standards. Whether your drink is a long lungo, strong americano, long black or something else, I don't really know. Having said all that, I suspect there are lots of others, particularly those who say they like americanos, who prefer just what you're describing.
Posted Mon Jun 4, 2012, 4:31pm Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
After more reading (by searching for Lungo), it may be a Cafe Crema that I'm really after (about 6 oz beverage, not 3oz) and did a search on that and found some helpful info. Thanks!
toiler Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Whistler Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Breville 990XL Grinder: Vario W Roaster: 49th Parallel /Old School!
Posted Sat Aug 25, 2012, 2:42pm Subject: Re: Luongo -- why so little love?
I agree with you Barry! I have been pouring these out of my Saeco Aroma for the past decade. The pressurized portafilter keeps the drink creamy. My old burr grinder gave up the ghost, so I am trying to make drinks with a de pressurized filter. Perhaps I like bitter beans.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 