What could be better than a strong, invigorating espresso? It would seem that the classics of the genre do not require improvement, but coffee lovers try to diversify recipes in order to try something new and unusual. Baristas surprise customers with fresh inventions in cooking technology. One such successful experiment with the classics was Long Black.
At what age can children drink coffee: the benefits and harms of caffeine for a child
Many fathers and mothers are concerned - can children have coffee? The aroma of an invigorating drink with milk foam was enjoyed not only by parents. Kids are always interested in what is poured in an adult’s cup. Therefore, they try by any means to try something new, previously unknown. It is difficult for loving parents to resist the onslaught and it all starts with a delicious foam, then a small sip and finally a separate mug with an invigorating drink.
But children’s bodies are in the developing stages and internal organs may react differently to the effects of caffeine. Therefore, it is extremely important to know at what age can children drink coffee? It’s better to immediately introduce your baby to safe, but no less tasty, decaffeinated coffee.
Features of cooking lungo: recipes
To cook lungo correctly, you must follow the following recommendations:
- Of the existing coffee varieties, it is best to take Arabica beans, which have a particularly mild taste:
- Kenyan;
- Tanzanian;
- Indian variety Plantation A.
- Sometimes Arabica is blended with Robusta in a ratio of 80% to 20%. In this case, the lightest roasted beans are best suited for preparing the drink. It is not recommended to use medium or dark, as the sour taste will overwhelm all others.
- If we talk about the quality of grinding, then the preparation technology implies the use of medium. Finely ground coffee will give a burnt taste with a strong bitterness. With coarse grinding, the taste qualities of the drink will practically not be revealed, and it will be very sour.
- It takes 50-60 seconds to prepare coffee (depending on the type of coffee machine).
- If the machine does not have a special “lungo” option, you need to use the “espresso” button, setting on the timer an alternative preparation time for this type of coffee.
- When using a coffee maker that operates on “tablets,” you just need to select the appropriate capsule and run the machine for 1 minute.
- The volatile substances contained in coffee beans, which give the special taste of lungo, quickly evaporate due to prolonged extraction. Therefore, you should grind them immediately before preparing the drink, and not in advance (which is acceptable when brewing other types of coffee).
- The pressure in the espresso chamber of the coffee machine must be at least 9 bar, in the pump - 15 bar or more.
- The temperature of the finished drink when poured into a cup ranges from +86-90 °C;
- Only use bottled or filtered liquid. Under no circumstances should you brew a drink with tap water.
Classical
To prepare a standard lungo, you will need:
- pour 8-10 g of ground beans into the coffee maker container;
- compact the powder well;
- pour 100-120 ml of water into the liquid compartment;
- turn on the timer for 1 minute;
- Steam a cup with a volume of about 180 ml and place it under the flowing stream.
Australian
The differences from the classic recipe are significant:
- Light light roasted beans are used;
- fine grinding is welcome;
- cooking time is reduced to 30 seconds;
- The finished drink is passed through a paper filter for a drip coffee maker pre-moistened with hot water, on which the foam and oils settle.
How to adjust the amount of coffee in a delonghi coffee machine
This is a general reference article in which I will talk about the standard drinks in Delonghi coffee machines and some of the features of setting them up. Most likely, I will provide a link here in response to all questions like “what is the maximum volume of coffee DeLonghi can dispense” or “how much milk can be poured into an ECAM cappuccino” or “how many grams of coffee are used at maximum strength” or “how to make a latte to Delonghi." The recipes are given using the example of a specific brand model, one of the most common at the time of writing - Delonghi ECAM 350.55 (here is its review). On different coffee machines of the company, the set of programs in memory is different, but you need to understand that:
Similar but different
Let's find out what kind of coffee it is: espresso, milk and foam. Cappuccino and latte fit the description. These are similar, but different drinks.
Interesting! Various popular types of coffee, their descriptions and methods of preparation in coffee shops
Latte contains 127 kcal, 75% milk or cream. The foam is light, airy, has a soft milky taste, the standard portion is 250-300 ml.
Cappuccino contains 68 kcal, 66% milk or cream. The foam is dense, glossy, coffee flavor predominates, standard serving is 180-200 ml.
The caffeine content is the same – 40-60 mg.
Find out more in the article “How is cappuccino coffee different from latte.”
Let's look at how these drinks differ from the classic version.
Differences from Americano
One of the main differences of this drink is the foam. During the preparation of Americano, it is practically absent; it is broken up by boiling water. When espresso is poured into hot water, dense foam continues to remain on the surface. Thanks to this, the taste becomes brighter. After all, it is in the foam that the maximum concentration of aromatic substances is observed, allowing you to create a bouquet characteristic of espresso.
Already from the first sip you can feel the whole palette of tastes. In Americano, these characteristics disappear.
The water that is poured into the cup cools slightly while the espresso is poured into it. The result is coffee that is immediately ready to drink. There is no need to wait until the temperature drops a little.
There are ongoing debates about long black and Americano. After all, there are many drinks prepared on the basis of ordinary espresso. The difference between the long black is the addition of a double portion and the order of the actions. Some consider the difference between these two varieties to be so insignificant that it seems very strange to them to single out long black as a separate drink.
Double espresso coffee quickly gained popularity all over the world. Only a few decades have passed since its invention. During this time, it has become one of the most beloved by many coffee lovers. This is due to the presence of dense foam and an amazing taste filled with many shades.
How is it different from espresso?
True coffee connoisseurs know the difference between espresso and Americano. Others often suffer from choice and do not understand the difference between drinks.
There are two main differences between Americano coffee and espresso:
Espresso is highly concentrated and fully reveals the flavor subtleties of the drink. It has a slight bitterness, generous nutty notes and a long-lasting aftertaste. Americano has different proportions of ingredients, where coffee beans and water are taken 1:1. Because of this, it has a more piquant, mild taste, but the richness and attractive smell disappear.
Coffee lovers naturally prefer espresso. Of two similar drinks, they will choose the one that is stronger. Americano is suitable for people who drink coffee occasionally and are not accustomed to strength and bitterness. Although baristas advise taking espresso and preparing coffee drinks based on it with the addition of milk or cream to make the coffee softer.
These coffee recipes also differ in volume:
- A serving of espresso is 40-70 ml.
- A serving of Americano is from 150 to 200 ml.
This indicator is important for people suffering from pressure changes or having gastrointestinal diseases. Espresso contains 20 mg of caffeine in one cup, so this drink is contraindicated for hypertensive patients. Americano is not concentrated enough - only 7.5 mg of caffeine per serving. This is a huge advantage for those for whom caffeine consumption is not recommended for health reasons.
An excerpt characterizing Long Black
“You, calm Moscow residents, artisans and working people, whom misfortunes have removed from the city, and you, absent-minded farmers, whom unfounded fear still detains in the fields, listen! Silence returns to this capital, and order is restored in it. Your fellow countrymen come out boldly from their shelters, seeing that they are respected. Any violence committed against them and their property is immediately punished. His Majesty the Emperor and King protects them and among you does not consider anyone to be his enemies, except those who disobey his commands. He wants to end your misfortunes and return you to your courts and your families. Comply with his charitable intentions and come to us without any danger. Residents! Return with confidence to your homes: you will soon find ways to satisfy your needs! Craftsmen and hardworking craftsmen! Come back to your handicrafts: houses, shops, security guards are waiting for you, and for your work you will receive the payment due to you! And you, peasants, finally come out of the forests where you hid in horror, return without fear to your huts, in the exact assurance that you will find protection. Storehouses have been established in the city, where peasants can bring their excess supplies and land plants. The government took the following measures to ensure free sale for them: 1) Starting from this date, peasants, farmers and those living in the vicinity of Moscow can, without any danger, bring their supplies to the city, of whatever kind, in two designated storage areas, that is, at Mokhovaya and Okhotny Ryad. 2) These foodstuffs will be purchased from them at such a price as the buyer and seller agree upon; but if the seller does not receive the fair price he demands, then he will be free to take them back to his village, which no one can prevent him from doing under any circumstances. 3) Every Sunday and Wednesday are designated weekly for major trading days; why a sufficient number of troops will be stationed on Tuesdays and Saturdays on all major roads, at such a distance from the city, to protect those carts. 4) The same measures will be taken so that there are no obstacles on the way back to the peasants with their carts and horses. 5) The funds will be immediately used to restore normal trading. Residents of the city and villages, and you, workers and artisans, no matter what nation you are! You are called upon to fulfill the paternal intentions of His Majesty the Emperor and the King and to contribute with him to the general welfare. Bring respect and trust to his feet and do not hesitate to unite with us!”
Ingredients and Additives
It is customary to add heavy cream or milk to traditional espresso. The same can be done with Long Black coffee. In this case, the total amount of liquid will increase:
- 2 parts water;
- 1 part milk.
If you use medium roasted grains, the taste will be very soft due to milk fats. With whole milk it becomes buttery and tender, so at home it is better to use homemade cow's milk rather than store-bought or powdered milk.
The beans need to be finely ground if you brew espresso in a Turk - this way the aroma and taste are better revealed. Long coffee in a coffee machine is what they serve in a bar, but it is not necessary to have a coffee maker at home.
Video: Long Black Recipe
The main thing in this recipe is its volume. By the way, in this respect it is similar to Americano, although the preparation technology is different: for Americano you immediately take double the amount of liquid.
It’s better to put the spices straight into the pot – this way they have time to release the aroma. You can even preheat them over the fire without adding water.
Cream liqueur, alcohol - whiskey, cognac - will also be a good company for Long espresso. The drink is served in cappuccino mugs or tall glasses with a handle.
The liquid for brewing coffee is traditionally used filtered or distilled - the absence of calcium and magnesium salts has a positive effect on the taste of the beans, especially if they are elite varieties.
Lungo coffee recipe
There are only two ways to prepare a classic lungo: in an espresso machine or in a coffee maker.
Preparation in a coffee maker:
- Roast a teaspoon of coffee beans
- Grind them in a coffee grinder for about 20 seconds until coarsely ground
- Pour 7-10 grams of coffee (this is a little less than a teaspoon) into the coffee maker's horn
- Pour 70-100 ml of water into a special compartment
- We wait until all the water drips out
- Warm up a thick-walled mug by pouring boiling water into it and leaving for a couple of minutes
- Pour boiling water out of the mug and pour coffee
- If desired, you can add sugar and milk to the drink.
Lungo coffee is also sold in capsule form for preparation in a capsule coffee machine. Basically, these capsules contain Arabica. Espresso capsules are also suitable. One capsule is enough to prepare one serving; the main thing is to increase the volume and time of water when cooking. A set of capsules will cost approximately 450 rubles. But you can’t cook lungo in a Turk.
How to cook a flat white
To prepare flat white coffee correctly, you will definitely need a carob coffee maker or a coffee machine with the function of frothing milk foam, grain or ground coffee and milk.
Cooking steps:
- Prepare a double shot of espresso in your coffee maker or espresso machine.
- Using a cappuccino maker, whisk the milk until smooth and velvety foam.
- Pour the milk foam into the coffee to the edges of the cup in an even layer.
Cafes with a good reputation usually serve flat whites with milk frothed using method No. 1. When preparing a drink at home, you can experiment with three options and choose the one you like best.
All baristas agree that the foam of the desired consistency is obtained if the milk is heated to +65 °C. The most common point of view is that milk needs to be whipped for a short time, until a “velveteen” foam 0.5–1 cm thick forms in the pitcher.
Some people divide the milk into 2 parts: one is simply heated to a temperature of +65 °C, and the other is whipped with a cappuccino maker until foam forms. First, unfrozen milk is added to the coffee, then milk foam.
The taste of the coffee is pleasant and velvety, but it is not a classic flat white.
Making a flat white without a carob coffee maker
To prepare coffee according to this recipe we need the following:
- strong black coffee - 60 ml;
- milk with a fat content of 3.2% - 120 ml;
- granulated sugar - to taste.
Preparation
- Brew strong coffee at the rate of 2 teaspoons of ground beans per 100 ml of water. Coffee is brewed in the usual way for you (in a Turkish coffee maker, geyser or drip coffee maker).
- If necessary, strain the coffee from the grounds and pour into a heated 200 ml cup. Add sugar to taste.
- Heat the milk to about 60 degrees and beat with a mixer or blender. In the absence of a cappuccino maker, the milk must have sufficient fat content, otherwise it will be difficult to obtain the desired structure with a blender or mixer.
- The approximate whipping time is 3-5 minutes, during which it is necessary to control the process by interrupting the whipping and checking the milk being processed. Whipping ends when the product acquires an airy, uniform structure without large bubbles.
- Pour the frothed milk into the coffee and serve without stirring.
Be sure to try making the drink using the above recipes if you like coffee with milk. Flat white has a well-balanced taste, probably being the golden mean among all coffee with milk recipes.
Flat White coffee at Starbucks
The recipe for flat white coffee at Starbucks includes:
- two shots of espresso 46 ml
- aerated milk – 130 ml.
Coffee is prepared only in 354 ml volume to maintain the proportions of coffee and milk. Served with an art pattern.
Flat whites are available with soy, coconut and almond milk.
Important preparation nuances
- To prepare the drink, you need espresso - it is prepared under a pressure of 9–18 bar in a coffee machine.
- For a standard drink, 60 ml of espresso and 110–120 ml of milk are usually used. It's simple - the proportion is 1 to 2.
- In our experience, UHT milk with a fat content of 2.5–3.5 percent froths best.
- When preparing, pour milk into coffee. Then the milk foam will mix with the coffee foam of the cream and the drink will have a brownish-white head, ideal for drawing beautiful patterns.
- As a rule, flat white is served in a thick-walled ceramic cup with a volume of 180-220 ml.
Benefits of the drink
What are the advantages of Long Black:
- You can enjoy your hot coffee longer.
- The appearance is created by foam, which with this technology remains dense and does not crack in the mug.
- You can use any additives - they do not harm the main aftertaste.
- Tart, strong varieties of grains can be diluted in this way to suit your taste.
- Not all people are used to drinking coffee with water, so diluted Black Long prevents dehydration.
The disadvantage is the dosage of caffeine, since it remains unchanged. In this case, order Doppio with a double dose of water or Americano with a double dose of powder. Long Black coffee only implies a different technology for preparing Lungo - this is its highlight.
Why did it get this name?
Translated into Russian, the name sounds like “long black”. It is believed that the term goes back to the Italian lungo, which is also a type of espresso with an increased amount of water in the composition.
It is safe to say that doppio has nothing to do with the name and the cooking technology itself. Doppio involves a particularly strong double espresso without diluting with additional water.
If we draw an analogy between the name and the result, then in this case the name is telling - the coffee turns out to be black and more voluminous, so it takes longer to drink than espresso.