What is Gran Lungo? Get to Know This Nespresso Drink

What is Gran Lungo?

A Gran Lungo refers to a specific size of coffee primarily produced by Nespresso's VertuoLine machine, with a pod size of 5.07 oz (150 mL). 

The term "lungo" is Italian for "long." A lungo drink is essentially a regular espresso shot made with more water, resulting in a larger volume and a milder flavor than a regular espresso.

The Gran Lungo, as the name suggests, is simply a larger version of the Nespresso lungo, allowing for a more substantial serving size while still maintaining the characteristic qualities of a lungo capsule coffee.

What Type of Gran Lungo Nespresso Pods Are There?

While there are two Gran Lungo pods available with the Original Line Nespresso machines, the focus of this article is on the six different types of pods available in the VertuoLine model (1)(2). Nespresso ranks the flavor intensity of their pods from 1 (not intense) to 13 (very intense).

1. Fortado: This pod is intense and full-bodied with an intensity of 8.
   
   
2. Arondio: This pod has cereal notes and is milder with an intensity of 6.
   
   
3. Costa Rica: This pod is balanced with clear malty notes and sweet undertones. It comes with an intensity of 7.
   
   
4. Inizio: This pod is more floral and has cereal notes with a less intense profile rated at 4.
   
   
5. Ethiopia: This pod is fruity and complex with strong notes of ripe blueberries. It also has an intensity of 4.
   
   
6. Fortado Decaffeinato: This decaffeinated pod still packs a punch with an intensity of 8. Expect an intense coffee with a full body.

How Much Caffeine is There in a Gran Lungo?

On average, the VertuoLine Gran Lungos come with about 145 mg of caffeine. Of course, if you are craving this style of coffee drink without the jitters, Nespresso has decaffeinated Gran Lungo pods as well. The Fortado Decaffeinato has only 7 mg of caffeine!

Pssst..Are you wondering about the caffeine content of Nespresso? Check this article to find out!

What are the Different Nespresso Coffee Sizes?

Nespresso currently manufactures coffee capsules in seven different sizes. Whether you want a quick espresso or would like to have a few cups of coffee with a friend, there’s an option out there for you.

• Espresso: 40 mL
• Double Espresso: 80 mL
• Lungo: 110 mL
• Gran Lungo: 150 mL
• Mug: 230 mL
• Alto: 355 mL
• Carafe: 535 mL

Differences Between a Gran Lungo and Other Nespresso Pods

So, what makes a Gran Lungo different from other coffee capsules? Here’s a comparison of Gran Lungo pods with other Nespresso pods in terms of flavor, drink size, and average caffeine content.

Gran Lungo vs Espresso Nespresso Pods

The Gran Lungo offers a milder flavor compared to Espresso, which tends to have a stronger and more intense taste. The Espresso pods typically produce a smaller serving size of 1.35 oz (40 mL), with an average caffeine content of 105 mg… a bit less than the Gran Lungo’s average of 145 mg.

Gran Lungo vs Double Espresso Nespresso Pods

Double Espresso pods deliver a more robust and concentrated taste, while the Gran Lungo maintains a milder flavor profile since it uses more water during extraction. The Double Espresso pods offer a smaller serving size of 2.7 oz (80 mL) for a more intense experience, with about 128 mg of caffeine per pod.

Gran Lungo vs Mug Nespresso Pods

Most of the Mug pods focus on sweetness and balance, while the Gran Lungos tend to highlight a heavier body with cereal notes. The Gran Lungo provides a more intense experience than the 7.8 oz (230 mL) Mug, which usually focuses on creaminess and fruit notes. While flavor intensity may vary, these two different-sized coffee pods have the same average caffeine content of 145 mg.

Gran Lungo vs Alto and Carafe Nespresso Pods

The Alto and Carafe pods are where Nespresso has crafted more unique coffee experiences. With flavor notes like “hidden treasure, roasted, and woody” and “golden gem, honeyed, and delicate,” these coffees offer a more stylized drink. The Gran Lungo focuses more on intensity and body. 

The Alto has a larger serving size of 12 oz (355 mL), and the Carafe is much larger at 18 oz (525 mL). They come with an average caffeine content of 158 mg and 244 mg, respectively. If you are craving a larger amount of coffee to start your day or want to share a cup with friends, the Alto and Carafe pods give you these options.

Summary: Gran Lungo and Other Nespresso Pods Differences

What is the Difference Between a Gran Lungo and a Lungo?

The main difference between a Gran Lungo and a regular Lungo lies in their size and volume. A Lungo is a coffee drink made by extracting espresso with a larger amount of water, resulting in a longer extraction time and a larger drink volume compared to a regular espresso shot. 

A Lungo from Nespresso has a serving size of around 3.7 oz (110 mL). If you order a lungo at a coffee shop, expect anywhere from 2-3 oz (60-90 mL). A Gran Lungo is a specific size within the Nespresso VertuoLine system with a pod size of 5.07 ounces (150 mL).

A Gran Lungo is simply Nespresso’s response to the desire for a larger version of the Lungo, offering a more substantial serving size while still retaining the characteristics of a Lungo coffee in terms of flavor and intensity. 

How Do You Make a Gran Lungo Without a Nespresso Machine?

If you want to make a Gran Lungo but don’t have access to a Nespresso machine, here’s what you can do.

Option 1: Use Your Own Coffee

Using coffee you already have at home, make about 150 mL of coffee using whichever brewing method you prefer. I recommend starting with a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15, so use 10 grams of finely ground coffee.

Alternatively, you can make a 40 mL shot of espresso and simply add 110 mL of water to get something similar to a Gran Lungo. Technically, this would be an Americano, since Lungos and Gran Lungos are made by using more water during the extraction (and not topping off with more water after the fact). It’s okay - we won’t tell anyone. 😉

Option 2: Use a Gran Lungo Nespresso Pod

Do you have some Gran Lungo pods from Nespresso laying around at home but don’t have a Nespresso machine? Don’t worry… you can still use your capsules.

Start by opening the Gran Lungo pod and placing it in your favorite coffee brewer. I like using my V60, so I would heat up water, wet my paper filter, and then place the opened coffee grounds inside the dripper on the filter. Then, I would use just a bit more than 150 mL of water to make a V60 like I normally make my coffee, shooting for a total extraction time of 2-3 minutes.

Clove-Spiced Gran Lungo Recipe

Craving something different? Try this recipe from Nespresso for a clove-spiced take on the Gran Lungo. (3) 

1. Take any Gran Lungo pod from Nespresso and extract 150 mL of coffee into a mug using a Nespresso Vertuo machine. Note: I think the cereal note of the Arondio pod works great with this recipe.
   
   
2. Sprinkle in a pinch of dried clove powder.
   
   
3. Stir well.
   
   
4. Enjoy!

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• Is Nespresso Worth It? Find Out from this Ultimate Guide
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Review - Quick and Efficient
• Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi Machines: Which Is the Best?
• Fix the Nespresso Blinking Orange Light + New Vertuo Models

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

There you have it!

Gran Lungo coffee pods are larger-sized coffees made using Nespresso's VertuoLine system, offering a milder flavor at a serving size of 5.07 oz (150 mL). It is distinct from espresso or Americano, providing a truly unique coffee experience. 

With various flavor options and an average caffeine content of 145 mg, Nespresso’s Gran Lungo provides coffee enthusiasts with a special way to enjoy their morning coffee routine.

Happy brewing!