There are three types of espresso, ranked from highest to lowest concentration: Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo.    

       1.Ristretto (Concentrated)

18g of coffee grounds are extracted to produce 18g of coffee liquid.

Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:1 - 1:1.5

Extraction time: 15 - 18

seconds Suitable for: Flat white, Dirty, Short Macchiato It only extracts the essence of the coffee, resulting in less bitterness and a more intense flavor.

It is a low-extraction, high-concentration coffee. Therefore, Ristretto is also known as concentrated coffee.          

       2.Espresso (Original)

18g of coffee grounds are extracted to produce 36g of coffee liquid. Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:2 Extraction time: 20 - 30

 seconds Suitable for: Latte, Americano, Cappuccino, etc.

It is the most commonly used espresso in coffee shops, with rich crema and a strong aroma.    

       3.Lungo (Full Extraction)

18g of coffee grounds are extracted to produce 54g of coffee liquid.

 Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:3

Extraction time: 45 - 60

seconds Suitable for: Drinking directly (Americano)

Lungo is the espresso with the most water, the strongest bitterness, and the thinnest texture among the three types. It is not recommended to add milk to make milk-based coffee drinks. It is more suitable for drinking directly.         

Ristretto is a more concentrated form of Espresso. Generally speaking, Ristretto is not simply made by extracting only the first half of the coffee to increase its concentration. If that were the case, the extracted coffee would be overly acidic due to insufficient extraction. Under normal circumstances, Ristretto, like a regular Espresso, is a balanced and full-flavored concentrated coffee, but with a higher concentration than Espresso.          

To obtain a Lungo with a thinner taste, it is not as simple as extending the extraction time to achieve a certain ratio. This would only result in an over-extracted and bitter cup of coffee. A normal Lungo, although having a relatively weak coffee flavor and taste, is still balanced overall.