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Hvad er en Long Black?
Written by Rasmus Kvistgaard JensenUpdated / Coffee / 5 minutes

What is a Long Black?

A long black is espresso poured over hot water, a short, intense black coffee that retains its crema and allows the beans' character to shine through. This is how black coffee is traditionally served in Australia and New Zealand, and it has quietly become one of our favorite ways to taste freshly roasted espresso, completely without milk.

In short, a long black is made by pouring a single or double espresso over 90–120 ml of hot water. The espresso is added last, which preserves the crema and results in a fuller, more aromatic cup than an Americano.

What is a long black?

The long black is one of the simplest espresso drinks there is: hot water first, espresso on top. That order is the whole point. By pulling the shot directly over the water, you keep the golden crema intact, locking in the aromas instead of washing them away.

It's a shorter and more concentrated drink than most people expect, closer to a "long" espresso than a large mug of filter coffee.

Espresso: 1–2 shots (18–20g coffee)

Hot water: 90–120 ml (90–96 °C)

Order: Water first, espresso on top

Milk: None

Crema: Yes, retained on top

How many ml is a long black? Typically around 120–150 ml in total, depending on the number of shots. It's intentionally small: a long black should taste strong and aromatic, not diluted.

Long black vs. americano

This is the question we get most often, so let's settle it. A long black and an americanouse exactly the same two ingredients, espresso and hot water, but the method and result are different.

Method
Long Black: Espresso poured over water.
Americano: Water poured over espresso

Amount of water
Long Black: Less (shorter drink)
Americano: More (longer drink)

Crema
Long Black: Preserved
Americano: Often broken up

Taste
Long Black: Fuller, more aromatic
Americano: Milder, softer

Origin
Long Black: Australia / New Zealand
Americano: Italy / USA

Is a long black just a stronger americano? Not quite. The difference lies especially in the preparation. In a long black, the espresso is poured on top of the hot water, which preserves the crema better. This gives the coffee a more intense aroma and a fuller flavour. At the same time, a long black is typically served in a smaller cup than an americano. So cup for cup, it tastes more intense. If you love the taste of espresso but want something to enjoy at your leisure, the long black is the perfect middle ground.

Hvordan smager en long black?

Forvent en fyldig, ren sort kaffe med cremaen intakt. Fordi der ikke er mælk og relativt lidt vand, smager du bønnerne ærligt, chokolade, nødde og karamelnoterne fra en klassisk espressoristning kommer tydeligt frem, med en vedvarende aroma fra den friske crema.

Er en long black den stærkeste kaffe? Den er stærk i smagen og har et solidt koffeinindhold fra espressoen, men den er ikke automatisk "den stærkeste" en ren espresso eller en cortado er mere koncentreret per ml. En long black giver dig blot espressointensiteten i et lidt længere format, du kan sippe til.

Sådan laver du en long black derhjemme

Det kræver forfriskende lidt at lave en long black, når først din espresso er på plads.

Det skal du bruge:

  • 18–20 g friskmalede espressobønner
  • 90–120 ml varmt vand (90–96 °C)
  • Espressomaskine (eller en moka-kande / AeroPress)
  • En kop eller et lille krus

Sådan gør du:

  1. Hæld det varme vand i koppen først.
  2. Træk en enkelt eller dobbelt espresso.
  3. Ekstrahér shottet direkte ned over det varme vand.
  4. Lad være med at røre, lad cremaen lægge sig ovenpå.

Pro-tip: Friskheden gør det tunge arbejde her. Da et fladt, gammelt shot ikke har noget at gemme sig bag, så brug bønner, der er ristet for nylig, som vores Campo das Vertentes, for en fyldig, blød long black uden bitterhed.

Long black, short black og iced, hurtige variationer

  • Short black: simpelthen det australske udtryk for en ren enkelt espresso, uden tilsat vand.
  • Iced long black: hæld shottet over koldt vand og is for en frisk sommerversion.
  • Long black med en skvæt mælk: en lille smule for at blødgøre kanten, men stadig langt lettere end en flat white.

Et Copenhagen Coffee Lab-perspektiv

Vi rister hver batch i vores eget risteri i København og sender kaffe, der er ristet inden for seneste 10 dage. En long black er en af de mest ærlige måder at smage den friskhed på, uden mælk at læne sig op ad er det bare vand, crema og bønnerne. 

Bryg en hjemme med vores espressoudvalg.

FAQ

Does a long black have more caffeine than an Americano?

If both use the same number of shots, the caffeine content is largely the same; the difference lies in the amount of water and the method, not the caffeine.

Can I make a long black without an espresso machine?

Yes. A Moka pot or AeroPress will give you a concentrated shot that you can pour over hot water for a very similar result, though the crema will be lighter.

What's the best ratio for a long black?

A good starting point is approximately 1:2 to 1:3 espresso-to-water ratio. Adjust to taste, less water for more intensity, a little more if you want it milder.

Which beans work best for a long black?

A balanced espresso roast with chocolate or nutty notes shines through, as nothing is covered up. Look through our espresso beansand find one you like.

Is a long black the same as black filter coffee?

Is a long black the same as black filter coffee?