The macchiato menu is now popular. Not only coffee, several other drinks also use this term. So is a macchiato different from other coffee variants?
If you go to a cafe or coffee shop, there will always be macchiatos on the menu along with other coffee variants such as cappuccinos and lattes.
However, lately macchiatos are not only found in coffee-based drinks, but are also found in several other drinks such as caramel macchiatos, matcha macchiatos and strawberry macchiatos.
Macchiato is made from 2 ingredients
The term macchiato comes from Italy. Andreas Willhoff expressed his understanding that macchiatos are usually consumed in the afternoon while cappuccinos are consumed in the morning.
If espresso is usually considered black coffee, macchiato can be considered black coffee with a little cream added. Traditional macchiatos are only made from two ingredients, namely espresso with a little foam on top.
In Italian the word ‘macchiato’ can be translated as “stained” or “marked” which means marked with the foam.
In Italy, a macchiato is made with a shot of espresso with a little foam on top. Meanwhile, in the United States, most coffee shops make macchiatos with two shots of espresso.
Difference between Macchiato and Latte and Cappuccino
If some people can’t differentiate between a macchiato and a cappuccino, this is very normal. Because cappuccinos are both made using espresso and foamed milk.
The only difference between the two is the amount of foam cream on top. There is more foam found in a cappuccino at around 4 to 5 oz. While macchiato has less foam.
Meanwhile, latte is actually the same, but the ratio of ingredients is different. Latte is made from milk cooked with the addition of espresso.
With the trend of healthy lifestyles, currently many coffee shops provide various milk choices such as almond, oat and soy. Of course, the milk in the macchiato can be replaced with milk of choice.
Macchiato itself has several types depending on the coffee shop. There are several shops that offer espresso macchiato or latte macchiato.
If the espresso macchiato is the traditional version, then the latte macchiato is the more commonly known American version. However, both of them are still covered with milk foam on top.
Various types of macchiato that are commonly found actually still use coffee. However, the only difference is the variety of materials used. Some macchiatos use a mixture of your choice such as caramel, vanilla, strawberry or even matcha syrup.
Difference between Macchiato and Latte from composition
Macchiato: Primarily consisting of espresso with a small amount of milk or milk foam dripping or sticking to it.
Latte: Consists of espresso, milk and a little milk foam, with a more dominant proportion of milk.
Cappuccino: A mixture of espresso, milk and milk foam in equal proportions.
Espresso to Milk Ratio:
Macchiato: High espresso to milk ratio, with a small amount of milk.
Latte: Lower espresso to milk ratio, with more milk.
Cappuccino: Balanced ratio of espresso, milk and milk foam.
Milk Foam Texture:
Macchiato: Usually, there is little or no milk foam.
Latte: There is a little milk foam on top.
Cappuccino: Has a thicker layer of milk foam.
Coffee Flavor:
Macchiato: More pronounced coffee flavor due to the small proportion of milk.
Latte: The coffee tastes smoother due to the higher proportion of milk.
Cappuccino: Provides a balance between the taste of coffee and the smoothness of milk and foam.
The difference between Macchiato in terms of size:
Macchiato: Generally smaller and stronger tasting compared to latte and cappuccino.
Latte: Larger than a macchiato, generally served in a larger cup.
Cappuccino: Often smaller than a latte but larger than a macchiato.
Difference between Macchiato and Latte from Presentation:
Macchiato: Can be served in a small cup, with a more pronounced coffee color.
Latte: Generally served in a larger cup, with a more visible layer of milk.
Cappuccino: Often served in a small cup with a layer of thick milk foam on top.
Presence of Sugar:
Macchiato: Usually without added sugar or sweetener.
Latte: Can often be served with sugar or sweetening syrup.
Cappuccino: Depends on preference, but often does not require added sugar because the flavors are already balanced.
The origin of the word:
Macchiato: Derived from the Italian word meaning “stain” or “spot.”
Latte: Derived from the Italian word meaning “milk.”
Cappuccino: Named after the uniform of the Capuchin friars which is said to be similar in color to this drink.
Consistency:
Macchiato: More like pure espresso with a touch of milk.
Latte: Creamier and has a smoother texture.
Cappuccino: Has a thicker and thicker texture due to more layers of milk foam.
Calorie Content:
Macchiato: Usually has a lower calorie content due to less milk.
Latte: Calorie content tends to be higher due to the larger proportion of milk.
Cappuccino: The calorie content can be somewhere in the middle, depending on how much milk foam is used.
Does a macchiato taste stronger than a latte?
A macchiato is made from more espresso, while a latte is made from more milk. Therefore a macchiato is much thicker than a latte. A macchiato is also thicker than a cappuccino which has less espresso.
How strong a macchiato is depends on the amount of coffee in it and also the addition of other syrups.
Tips for Ordering a Macchiato
Willhoff gives tips for ordering a macchiato at a cafe. If you want a macchiato with a classic taste with just espresso and a little foamed milk, you can just order a macchiato without any other additions.
But if you want to try something more varied, ask for a macchiato with a double espresso divided into two demitasses (small coffee cups), one of which is served as is while the other is turned into a macchiato.
If you want to drink a macchiato with a sweeter sensation, then you can order a macchiato with added syrups such as caramel and vanilla.
Macchiato can actually be made at home by buying coffee online, but you have to use a special coffee maker to make the milk foam.
