Are you a coffee lover looking for something new to try? Perhaps you’ve heard about gran lungo and don’t know what it is.
If so, then this article is perfect for you! Gran lungo is a drink that has become increasingly popular due to its bold flavor profile and unique brewing process.
Quick Answer: What is a gran lungo?
A gran lungo is a 5-oz (150 ml) serving of coffee made from Nespresso Vertuo pods. There are five different coffees with various intensity levels available. A decaf gran lungo is also available from Nespresso.
In this article, I’ll discuss what exactly a gran lungo is, how it differs from regular coffee, and why it may be the ideal caffeine option for those of us who enjoy full-bodied cups of joe.
Read on to find out more about this delicious beverage!
What is a gran lungo coffee?
As I’ve previously mentioned, a gran lungo is a 5-oz (150 ml) serving of coffee made from Nespresso Vertuo pods, and it comes in various intensity levels.
A gran lungo might fit you if you want a regular cup of coffee from your Nespresso machine.
Below, I’ll go over the coffees available as a gran lungo. After that, I’ll also compare these coffees to an Americano and brewed coffee.
Which gran lungo coffee pods are there?
There are five different caffeinated gran lungos available to purchase, along with one decaf version.
I’ve listed them below, along with their intensity level:
| Gran lungo version | Intensity level |
| Fortado | 8 out of 13 |
| Costa Rica | 7 out of 13 |
| Arondia | 6 out of 13 |
| Ethiopia | 4 out of 13 |
| Inizio | 4 out of 13 |
| Fortado Decaffeinato | 8 out of 13 |
As you can see, there are plenty there are various options when it comes to gran lungos.
Read along to learn more about the gran lungo size and how it compares to the other sizes from Nespresso.
What are the Nespresso coffee sizes?
There are two Nespresso machines available, the Nespresso Vertuo and the Original line.
Both coffee machines can make various cup sizes, but there’s a big difference in serving size.
To get to the bottom of it, I’ve listed the coffee sizes available from Nespresso below.
In the overview, you can see that the gran lungo fits in between the regular lungo and signature coffee from Nespresso:
| Type of coffee | Cup size | Type of Nespresso machine |
| Ristretto | 0.85 oz (25 ml) | Nespresso Original |
| Espresso | 1.35 oz (40 ml) | Nespresso Vertuo and Original |
| Double espresso | 2.7 oz (80 ml) | Nespresso Vertuo |
| Lungo | 3.7 oz (110 ml) | Nespresso Original |
| Gran lungo | 5.7 oz (150 ml) | Nespresso Vertuo |
| Signature | 7.77 oz (230 ml) | Nespresso Vertuo |
| Carafe | 18 oz (535 ml) | Nespresso Vertuo |
As you can see from the overview above, the gran lungo is a perfect size for most coffee drinkers.
If you want to learn more about the differences between the Nespresso Vertuo machine and the Original machine, you can have a look at this in-depth article!
Do you have an Original line machine from Nespresso? Then, you can make a regular lungo with a smaller serving size. More on the below:
What is the difference between a gran lungo and a lungo?
A gran lungo is a 5-oz (150 ml) serving of coffee brewed with a Nespresso Vertuo machine. A lungo is a smaller 3.7 oz (110 ml) serving of coffee made with Nespresso’s Original coffee machines.
Depending on the Nespresso machine you have, you’ll be able to make a lungo coffee at home.
However, if you want the larger serving size of the gran lungo, you’ll need a Nespresso Vertuo machine.
What is the caffeine content of a gran lungo?
As I’ve talked about above, six gran lungos are available to purchase from Nespresso.
You might wonder how much of a caffeine kick you’ll get from drinking these larger coffees.
Below, I’ve listed the caffeine content of each gran lungo:
| Gran lungo version | Caffeine content |
| Fortado | 195mg of caffeine |
| Costa Rica | 140mg of caffeine |
| Arondio | 150mg of caffeine |
| Ethiopia | 119mg of caffeine |
| Inizio | 120mg of caffeine |
| Fortado Decaffeinato | 7mg of caffeine |
As you can see, there’s quite a large amount of caffeine in these coffees, as a regular cup of coffee has between 80-100mg of caffeine.
You might’ve noticed that the decaf Fortado has a small amount of caffeine as well. Decaf coffee isn’t 100% free of caffeine.
If you want to learn more about the caffeine content of decaf coffee, you can check out this article!
Is a gran lungo similar to an Americano?
A gran lungo is a term used to describe the second-largest drink option offered by Nespresso.
It has a larger amount of coffee than an Americano but less than the largest Nespresso option on the market.
When it comes to flavor, however, there are some clear distinctions between a gran lungo and an Americano.
While they both have similar coffee content, their flavors differ significantly due to other factors, such as preparation methods and ingredients used in making them.
A traditional Americano starts with a single shot or two shots of espresso topped up with hot water until the desired strength is reached.
Espresso coffee has a much more concentrated taste, making an Americano have a more robust and interesting flavor.
But when it comes to making a gran lungo, that same size cup will yield about five ounces worth from one capsule – resulting in a much smoother flavor.
How does a gran lungo differ from regular coffee?
While a gran lungo can only be made with a Nespresso Vertuo machine, regular brewed coffee can be made with many coffee brewers.
The main difference between a gran lungo and brewed coffee is the convenience. To make a gran lungo, you simply have to place a coffee pod into the machine.
For brewed coffee, you’ll need ground coffee beans (it’s best to grind them fresh), a coffee filter, the coffee maker of your choice, a kettle, and much more of your time.
The flavor of Nespresso is made to taste the same every time, which can get boring after a while.
With regular coffee, you can choose your favorite coffee beans, and you can also change up the coffee brewer for a different flavor profile.
If you want to learn more about the differences between Nespresso coffee and regular coffee, have a look at this article!
How do you make a gran lungo with a Nespresso machine?
Making a gran lungo with a Nespresso machine is actually quite simple, but remember that the gran lungo can only be made with a Nespresso Vertuo machine:
- First, select your favorite gran lungo pod from the Nespresso range and place it in the machine.
- Next, close the lid and press the main button on your Nespresso machine.
- Your coffee will slowly flow out after a few seconds!
- Once that’s done, you can add some flavorings to your coffee or steamed milk. I’ll talk about some more options further down.
If you want to switch things up, you can also make iced coffee using your Nespresso machine. For a quick recipe, you can follow this article!
Do you feel like the flavor is not quite right? Or the temperature of the coffee isn’t what it used to?
Make sure to descale your Nespresso properly and give it a quick clean after each brewing session to keep your machine in the best shape possible!
What can you add to a gran lungo?
If you want to take your coffee to the next level, have some fun with various add-ins!
There are so many delicious options to choose from that it can be hard to decide which is right for you. Have a look at some of my favorites below:
- Nutella: Start with your gran lungo, then stir in a tablespoon of Nutella for an extra creamy and sweet flavor. You can even top it off with whipped cream if desired!
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds an aromatic and warm flavor to your drink that pairs nicely with the dark chocolate undertones from the gran lungo itself. Try stirring in half a teaspoon per serving for maximum effect!
- Vanilla syrup: If you enjoy sweeter coffee drinks, adding some vanilla syrup (or vanilla extract) is sure to please your taste buds! Add one or two tablespoons of syrup depending on how much flavor you want and how sweet you like things.
- Steamed milk: Finish your coffee with a splash of steamed milk and top it with delicious foamed milk for that creamy touch.
- Coffee creamer: You can add your favorite coffee creamer to the mix for a sweeter coffee. Have a look at various homemade coffee creamers right here!
As you can see, there are many options to make your coffee extra special. Feel free to switch things up and see how you like it!
Conclusion
Ultimately, if you want to try a new flavor or type of coffee, a gran lungo from your Nespresso Vertuo machine is an excellent option.
It allows you to explore the different possibilities the brand’s coffees have to offer and can be enjoyed with or without your favorite sweetener.
And what’s even better, it doesn’t take long to prepare—it’s as simple as popping in a capsule and pushing one button.
You don’t need any special knowledge or skill—the machine does all the hard work.
If you’re looking for an easy way to expand your coffee repertoire, a gran lungo might be for you!
2 Comments
Excellent post
Hey John,
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it!
Enjoy your coffee!
– Jeffrey