What is Long Black Coffee?

Like most espresso drinks, long black coffee comes from Italy. Traditionally, espresso and cappuccino were the only two coffee drinks available. Essentially, the long black coffee came into play when the Americans started to frequent Italian coffee shops and asked after a large black coffee. The long black coffee was the Italian baristas’ answer to their large coffee dilemma; therefore, long black coffee was created as the beverage to satisfy their out-of-town guests.

Nowadays, the long black coffee is a popular drink in Australia and New Zealand, it is still widely popular in America, however American’s now refer to long black coffee as caffe americano, but the long black coffee is beginning to take hold in other parts of the world. The long black coffee is an espresso drink consisting of two shots of espresso diluted with hot water, it is made by pouring hot water in a cup and pouring the espresso shots on top of the water.

By pouring the espresso on top of the water, the espresso’s cream, known as crema, will stay intact when handled carefully. The crema is one of the most important parts of the coffee, for coffee lovers around the world, because it is so flavourful.

Many people mistake the long black for an americano, however the americano is made with more water which is poured over the espresso shot, the opposite to a long black coffee. The long black coffee is typically made with less water, therefore making it more concentrated, meaning that the flavour of the espresso is more distinct.

The moka pot is an amazing coffee brewer that can brew a great espresso-like coffee. The first step is to grind up your coffee beans into a fine powder and then add them to the coffee basket of the moka pot. Fill the bottom half of the moka pot with boiling water, screw the top on and place on the hob on a medium heat.

The steam created on the bottom compartment of the moka Pot will create pressure and push through the air vent of the moka pot. Eventually, the espresso-like liquid you are after will start to come out. Now, fill up a mug with hot water, use twice the amount of coffee used from your moka pot. Once your chosen mug is filled with the hot water, slowly pour the espresso on top. You have now successfully made a long black coffee at home! Enjoy it whilst hot.

The americano and the long black coffee, are two espresso-based drinks with similar features, however, despite their similarities, they are made in different ways. The Americano is an espresso with water added, which tastes more like strong coffee, whereas the long black coffee is water with espresso added, which has a much stronger and fuller taste. Although they may seem, on the surface, the same drink, the results will give you two slightly different-tasting espresso drinks.

Traditionally, the long black coffee is meant to be savoured. It is traditionally consumed without milk, meaning that the flavours of the underlying espresso blend are more distinct than they would be in a cappuccino or flat white.