Long Black | The Coffee Lexicon
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Long Black
The Bold Espresso Drink Popular in Australia and New Zealand
Updated: July 2026 โข 6 min read.
A Long Black is an espresso-based coffee drink made by pouring espresso shots over hot water. Unlike an Americano, the espresso is added last, helping preserve the crema and stronger flavor.
Long Blacks are known for their bold taste, rich aroma, and smoother texture while still maintaining espresso intensity.
โจ Why Coffee Drinkers Love Long Blacks
- โ Strong espresso flavor
- โจ Rich crema on top
- ๐ง Smoother than straight espresso
- ๐ฅ Less diluted than an Americano
โ ๏ธ Long Black vs Americano
Although similar, the preparation method changes the drinking experience.
- Long Black โ espresso poured over water
- Americano โ water poured over espresso
- โ Long Blacks preserve more crema
- ๐ง Americanos often taste milder
๐ฅ Flavor Profile of a Long Black
A well-made Long Black often tastes:
- ๐ซ Bold
- โ Smooth
- ๐ฅ Rich
- โจ Aromatic
The drink maintains espresso character while becoming easier to sip slowly.
โ๏ธ How a Long Black Is Made
- ๐ง Add hot water to the cup first
- โ Pull fresh espresso shots
- โจ Pour espresso gently over the water
- ๐ฅ Preserve the crema layer on top
โ Best Coffee Beans for a Long Black
- ๐ฐ Medium Roast Coffee
- ๐ซ Chocolatey Espresso Blends
- ๐ฅ Specialty Espresso Beans
- โ Low-Acidity Coffee Beans
๐ Related Coffee Guides
- ๐ฅ Espresso
- ๐ง Americano
- โจ Coffee Crema
- โ๏ธ Coffee Body
- ๐ฌ The Coffee Blueprint
- โจ Shop Morning Fix Coffee
โ A Long Black delivers bold espresso flavor with a smoother, more balanced drinking experience.
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