A long black has taken Australia by storm, but what exactly is it? To understand this difference between hot water and coffee lovers, let’s start at the beginning.
In simple terms, an Americano is made with hot water poured over a double shot of espresso. A long black, on the other hand, is made with hot water first followed by the double shot of espresso. This may seem like a small distinction, but it makes a difference in the final taste and texture of the drink.
To put it simply, adding coffee to hot water breaks down some of the structure and texture of the espresso, resulting in a smoother drink. The Australian and New Zealand favorite is gaining popularity in the UK, with baristas suggesting that putting the coffee on second (i.e., adding it to the water) is the way to go.
Here’s a breakdown of other types of coffee you might not know about:
* Espresso: A double shot made from 18g of coffee and yielding 36g.
* Long black: Hot water followed by a double shot of espresso.
* Ristretto: 1-1 ratio, meaning that 18g of coffee yields 18g of liquid out.
* Macchiato vs Cortado: A macchiato is an espresso shot topped with milk and foam, while a cortado is a small drink made from equal parts coffee and milk.
* Flat White vs Latte vs Cappuccino: A flat white has two shots of espresso topped with milk and microfoam, while a latte is one part coffee and three parts milk. A cappuccino consists of one part coffee, one part foam, and one part milk.
* Mocha: An entry-level coffee made from the same proportions as a cappuccino, but with added drinking chocolate.
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/long-black-americano-ristretto-long-black-coffee-types-guide-b1209747.html