What is a long black coffee?
A long black is a coffee made by pouring a double shot of espresso over hot water. It is popular in Australia and New Zealand and is similar to an Americano, but stronger and with more crema.
The order of preparation is important. Pouring the espresso over hot water, rather than adding water to espresso, helps preserve the crema, the golden foam on top.
A long black is usually served in a smaller cup than an Americano, with less water, making it stronger in flavor.
Australian coffee culture
The long black is one of the most popular black coffees in Australian cafes, along with the short black, or espresso. Milk-based drinks such as the flat white, latte and cappuccino are also popular.
Australia's cafe culture was shaped by Italian and Greek immigrants after World War II, who introduced espresso machines. Melbourne is particularly famous for its coffee.
Australian-style cafes, serving long blacks and flat whites, have opened in many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Ordering coffee in Australia can be confusing for visitors, as names such as long black and magic are local favorites.