Espresso, lungo & ristretto: coffee sizes explained

Espresso, lungo, ristretto — the words sound fancy, but they mostly describe how much water passes through the coffee. That one change makes a real difference to taste. Here's the simple version.

Ristretto — the short, intense one

"Ristretto" means restricted: less water, so a smaller, more concentrated shot. It's punchy, sweet and intense, with the sharpest flavours held back. Great if you love a bold, quick hit.

Espresso — the classic

The standard shot: a small, rich coffee with a golden crema on top. It's the base for almost everything — enjoyed neat, or built into a latte, cappuccino or flat white. A higher-intensity pod makes a satisfying espresso.

Lungo — the long one

"Lungo" means long: more water passes through the same pod, giving a larger, milder, more drawn-out cup. Good if you like a bigger black coffee to sip. Because more water is extracted, a lungo can taste slightly more bitter than an espresso.

Which should you choose?

• Bold and quick: ristretto.
• Classic all-rounder / milky drink base: espresso.
• Bigger, milder black coffee: lungo.

Many pods work well across sizes — experiment with the button to find your favourite. The bolder the pod (see intensity explained), the better it stands up as a short shot.

Build a box across a few intensities and find your perfect cup — save up to 30% with free UK delivery.