

These are the three espresso shot lengths. Normale means normal, as you probably guessed it. As we said before ristretto means restricted. Ristretto vs Normale vs LungoĪ little Italian crash course now. However a flat white, or a cappuccino are going to be more flavorful if prepared with the same amount of ristretto. This difference is not very obvious in a latte, which is a long beverage. The extra sweetness and concentration will make the milky drinks stand out a little more. Some people like this sweetness and the more concentrated flavor.Ī ristretto can also be used in any espresso-based drinks such as latte, cappuccino, or flat white. Why would you want a ristretto instead of a normale? Why do people choose ristretto over a normal espresso? Ristretto is typically less acidic and has a sweeter flavor than a normal espresso. A double ristretto, which the most common way to prepare it, requires the same amount of coffee beans but is extracted into 30ml of water. The Italian word “ristretto” means restricted, which we see in the drink’s recipe.Ī regular double espresso shot, (doppio normale), is made with 14-18 grams of ground coffee extracted into 60 ml of water, (2 fluid ounce). This gives it a more concentrated taste with a higher caffeine content. A regular shot of espresso is a 30 ml beverage, whereas a ristretto can be anything between 15 to 25 ml.

Ristretto is a concentrated shot of espresso pulled with 30 to 50% less water than an espresso “normale”, but the same amount of coffee grounds. What Is a Ristretto and How Is Different from a Normal Espresso? What Coffee Beans are the Best for a Ristretto.Why Ristretto and Not a Normal Espresso?.What Is a Ristretto and How Is Different from a Normal Espresso?.
