What is a Long Black Coffee?

A Long Black is essentially a shot or two of espresso poured into hot water. This process is the reverse of how an Americano is made, which involves pouring hot water over the espresso. The significant distinction is that a Long Black retains the crema layer, which provides a richer flavour profile than an Americano.

The crema - the golden-brown foam that sits on top of the coffee - signifies a well-prepared Long Black, enriching it with a fuller flavour and a touch of natural sweetness.

Now that you understand how to brew a Long Black, you're ready to tailor your coffee to your taste.

• Adjust the strength: Experiment with the water to espresso ratio to adjust the strength of your coffee.
• Add milk: Soften the pronounced flavors of the Long Black and introduce a creamy texture by adding a milk of your choice.
• Add syrups: Refine your flavor with syrups, but be mindful that combining water and syrups can significantly affect the quality of the drink.
• Try a cooler option: Create a refreshing iced version by pouring an espresso shot over ice and topping it with cold water.

You might be curious about how it stands out from other types of coffee. Although many espresso-based drinks contain similar components, their preparation methods and flavour profiles can vary significantly.

Let's explore how the Long Black is distinct from other coffee offerings.

Both beverages contain espresso and water; however, the Long Black retains the espresso's crema due to its preparation method, where the espresso is poured over hot water, preserving the oils and air bubbles. This results in a distinct mouthfeel and a more intense flavour, highlighting the espresso's inherent characteristics.

In contrast, the Americano, with water added after brewing the espresso, disrupts the crema and disperses the oils, leading to a more diluted flavour and less crema, offering a smoother, more mellow coffee experience.

Espresso forms the foundation for a wide variety of coffees, but the Long Black stands out with its simplicity.

The Cappuccino, unlike the Long Black, balances espresso with equal parts steamed and foamed milk, creating a lighter, airier texture. This addition of milk and foam softens the espresso's intensity, offering a sweeter, less bold experience compared to the Long Black's concentrated flavour.

The Latte, unlike the Long Black, contains a generous amount of steamed milk topped with a light foam layer, softening the espresso's robustness and yielding a creamier, gentler beverage. The high volume of milk significantly modifies the taste, resulting in a beverage that's smoother and sweeter, much less intense than the Long Black.

The Flat White, which also includes espresso and steamed milk like the Latte and Cappuccino, aims to strike a balance with the Long Black. It features a delicate layer of velvety microfoam that allows the espresso's flavour to stand out more than in a Latte, yet provides a smoother, creamier texture than the pure Long Black.