Unlocking Capsule Pod Flavours: Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo Explained

If you own a Nespresso machine or are thinking about getting one, you’ve probably noticed the different brew settings: Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo. While all are espresso-based, they vary in flavour, strength, and overall experience. Understanding these differences can help you choose the brew that best suits your taste.

In this article, we’ll break down each option, explain how it affects flavour, and offer tips on when to use each for the best coffee experience.

 

What is Ristretto?

Ristretto is an Italian word that means "restricted" or "short." In the context of coffee, it refers to a more concentrated version of espresso. When using a Nespresso machine, the Ristretto setting typically pulls a shot of espresso with less water than the standard Espresso setting. The result is a smaller, more intense shot of coffee.

Ristretto Characteristics:

• Volume: Around 25 ml 
• Flavour: Rich, bold, and highly concentrated. Ristretto tends to highlight the coffee's complex flavours and acidity, providing a fuller, more intense taste.
• Body: Dense and syrupy with a strong, smooth texture.

Taste and Result:

Ristretto is ideal for coffee lovers who enjoy a more intense, concentrated flavour with less bitterness. Since less water is used, the coffee retains more of its natural oils, resulting in a thicker body and richer mouthfeel. The smaller volume highlights the subtler, sweeter notes of the coffee, making it especially well-suited for high-quality beans with complex flavour profiles—perfect for appreciating the characteristics of premium Arabica.

 

What is Espresso?

Espresso is the traditional base of many coffee drinks, and it is often considered the standard coffee brew for Nespresso machines. It’s a concentrated shot of coffee—typically around 40 ml—that delivers a bold flavour and a thick, creamy layer of crema on top.

Espresso Characteristics:

• Volume: Around 40 ml 
• Flavour: Bold and robust, with balanced acidity and bitterness. Espresso has a more neutral flavour profile compared to Ristretto or Lungo, with some subtle notes of caramel, chocolate, or fruit.
• Body: Full-bodied with a smooth, velvety texture due to the crema that forms on top.

Taste and Result:

Espresso is a well-balanced coffee that strikes a harmonious blend of strength and smoothness. While it carries a hint of bitterness, it’s not overpowering, and the flavour notes are more evenly distributed than in a Ristretto shot. Versatile and widely enjoyed, it serves as the base for many popular drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. If you're after a classic cup of coffee, Espresso is a great choice.

 

What is Lungo?

Lungo, which means "long" in Italian, is the counterpart to Espresso. It’s essentially a longer shot, where more water is used to extract the coffee. In a Nespresso machine, Lungo settings typically pull 110 ml of coffee, which is more than double the amount of an Espresso shot. The longer extraction process results in a coffee that is less concentrated than Espresso or Ristretto.

Lungo Characteristics:

• Volume: Around 110 ml 
• Flavour: Milder, lighter, and less intense than Espresso. Lungo’s longer extraction leads to more extraction of the coffee’s bitter compounds, making it slightly more bitter and less sweet.
• Body: Lighter and more watery compared to Espresso and Ristretto, but still retains some creaminess.

Taste and Result:

Lungo is ideal for coffee drinkers who prefer a milder, less intense coffee but still enjoy the espresso-style base. Since more water is used in the extraction, the flavour can become more diluted, but it still maintains the essential espresso characteristics. Lungo is a great choice for those who like a bigger coffee without the strong, concentrated intensity of a full espresso shot. It’s also a good option if you like to sip your coffee for longer periods.

 

 Ristretto vs Espresso vs Lungo - An Overview