Brewing · 1 min read
Espresso, ristretto, lungo: the Italian coffee menu explained
By the Siag team ·
In this article
Walk into an Italian bar and the coffee menu can look like a secret code. It is simpler than it seems: almost everything starts from an espresso.
The classics
- Espresso: a short coffee, around 25 to 30 ml, brewed under pressure in about 25 seconds.
- Ristretto: a shorter, more concentrated espresso, with less water.
- Lungo: a longer espresso, with more water and a lighter body.
- Macchiato: an espresso "stained" with a spoon of milk foam.
- Cappuccino: espresso, steamed milk and foam. In Italy it is traditionally a morning drink.
- Caffè corretto: an espresso "corrected" with a splash of liquor, often grappa.
In Naples
In Naples you will hear about "caffè al vetro", coffee served in a glass cup. It stays hot longer and shows the crema. It is the same kind of glass you see in our photos.
The best way to order in Italy is the simplest: say "un caffè" and you will get an espresso.
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