Macchiato is a coffee beverage characterized by blended milk’s rich and fragrant taste, with a subtle sweetness or a hint of saltiness, depending on the barista’s recipe. Today, the Types of Drink Coffee section aims to provide a deeper understanding of Macchiato, its origins, the preparation method, and the most authentic way to enjoy its inherent flavor.
What is a macchiato? The difference with other types of coffee.
What is a macchiato?
The beverage known as Caffè macchiato, also referred to as espresso macchiato, is a type of espresso coffee that incorporates a small quantity of milk, typically in a foamed state. The term “macchiato” derives from the Italian language, where it conveys the meanings of “stained” or “spotted.” Consequently, the literal translation of caffè macchiato is “stained coffee” or “marked coffee.”
The difference with other types of coffee
The characteristic of a macchiato is the layer of milk foam positioned atop the beverage. This layer is prepared with a specific ratio of ingredients to ensure that the milk foam remains afloat and imparts a rich and aromatic flavor to the drink.
The milk foam in a macchiato is delicately frothed, resulting in a smooth texture while preserving its distinctive taste, setting it apart from dense and sculptable whipped cream commonly found on the surface of beverages.
Moreover, this milk foam can possess the inherent natural flavor of fresh milk or be infused with additional flavors to create variations such as salted milk foam, matcha milk foam, or even cheese-flavored milk foam.
Origin of Macchiato
As previously mentioned by Farm to Palms, the term “macchiato” refers to a type of Italian coffee, thus originating from Italy. This terminology also stems from beverage experts who intended to distinguish easily between Macchiato, latte, and cappuccino.
Furthermore, the term “macchiato” aids baristas in quickly distinguishing between an espresso (without milk foam) and an espresso macchiato (with milk foam). Perhaps for this reason, Macchiato in Portuguese translates to “coffee with a small drop,” implying that the layer of milk foam is adorned or marked on the surface of the beverage.
Difference between Macchiato vs Latte vs Cappuccino
A latte, cappuccino, and Macchiato are all espresso-based beverages that exhibit distinctions in the proportions of steamed or foamed milk they incorporate and the quantity of caffeine present in each concoction.
Even for the most discerning lover of coffee, comprehending the nuances in ingredients, caffeine content, and nutritional value that distinguish cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos can prove perplexing.
This scholarly exposition explores the fundamental dissimilarities and parallels between cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos.
| Macchiato | Latte | Cappuccino | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Espresso with a small amount of milk foam or milk | Espresso with steamed milk and a small layer of foam | Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam |
| Milk Ratio | Very little milk | Mostly milk | Equal parts milk |
| Foam | Little to none | Some foam | Thick foam |
| Size | Small | Large | Medium to large |
| Taste | Strong espresso flavor with a touch of milk | Creamy and smooth taste with a balance of espresso and milk | Creamy and smooth taste with a balance of Espresso and milk |
| Serving Temperature | Hot | Hot | Hot |
| Popular Variations | Caramel Macchiato, Hazelnut Macchiato | Vanilla Latte, Mocha Latte | Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino, Chocolate Cappuccino |
Nutritional value
| Type of drink | Calories | Protein | Total fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-ounce (475-ml) latte | 206 | 13 grams | 8 grams | 20.5 grams |
| 16-ounce (475-ml) cappuccino | 130 | 8 grams | 5 grams | 13 grams |
| 2-ounce (60-ml) macchiato | 13 | 0.7 grams | 0.5 grams | 1.6 grams |
How to make a Macchiato?
Ingredients for making Macchiato.
- 150ml Whipping Cream
- 150ml Topping Cream
- 20ml caramel syrup
- 10gr vanilla powder
- 2gr Thai salt
How to Make Macchiato Simple
Step 1: Place all the ingredients into a glass bowl.
Step 2: Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients until they are well combined, smooth, and of a consistent texture, neither too fluffy nor too runny.
Step 3: Cover the Macchiato tightly with food wrap and let it sit until ready to use.
Macchiato Brewing Recipes
How to make Macchiato Coffee
Ingredients for preparation
- One shot of Espresso coffee
- 250ml of fresh pasteurized milk without sugar, chilled
- A packet of coffee sweeteners
How to Make Macchiato Coffee
Step 1: Add approximately 7-8 grams of espresso coffee into the filter and level the surface by firmly pressing down with your hand. Ensure even water flow by firmly tamping the coffee using a coffee tamper. Then, lock the processing valve of the espresso machine and place a cup under the machine’s spout before pressing the button.
Step 2: Pour milk into a pitcher and position it under the steam wand. Froth the milk until it reaches 60-65 degrees Celsius, with a smooth and consistent texture.
Step 3: Use a spoon to add the frothed milk to the coffee cup. Optionally, add sugar according to your preference.
You can create decorative Latte Art designs such as hearts or swans using the layer of frothed milk on the surface. When enjoying your Macchiato, gently stir and down the coffee in a few sips while it is still hot to fully appreciate its flavor. Café Macchiato is often served with a few cookies as accompaniment.
How to Make Caramel Macchiato
The Caramel Macchiato is the most popular beverage among various Macchiatos.
Ingredients:
- One shot of Espresso
- 250ml of fresh, pasteurized milk
- 20ml of Davinci Caramel sauce
- 5ml of sugar syrup
Instructions for Making Caramel Macchiato:
Step 1: Prepare a clean glass cup with a handle (as hot beverages are being used, a cup with a handle is recommended). Pour 15ml of caramel sauce and 5ml of sugar syrup into the bottom of the cup. Next, pour the milk into a milk frother, steam it to a temperature of 60-65°C, and create foam.
Step 2: Scoop the milk foam and cover the edges of the cup, then scoop a large spoonful of foam to protect the layer of caramel. Slowly pour the milk into the center of the cup, simultaneously using a spoon to hold back the foam. It would help if you ran until the milk and foam were about 0.5 cm from the cup’s rim.
Step 3: Extract one shot of Espresso. Then, pour the coffee into the center of the cup. The coffee will penetrate the foam layer, resting between the milk and foam, creating an aesthetically pleasing color gradient.
Step 4: Scoop a spoonful of milk foam and cover the coffee surface. Decorate the Caramel Macchiato with the remaining 5ml of caramel sauce.
Preparation of Macchiato Milk Tea
Ingredients:
- 100ml of milk tea
- 40ml of Macchiato
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
Step 1: Steep black tea in hot water for 15 minutes to extract its essence. Use 1.5 liters of water to steep 100 grams of tea. Next, mix the tea with 350 grams of powdered milk and 300 grams of sugar, stirring until the ingredients dissolve to achieve a rich milk tea base.
Step 2: Pour 100ml of milk tea into a shaker, add ice cubes, and shake well to cool it down. Then, pour the mixture into a glass, filling it up to two-thirds.
Step 3: Finally, pour the prepared Macchiato on top and enjoy!
Preparation of Black Tea Macchiato
Ingredients:
- 10g of black tea
- 30ml of simple syrup
- 50ml of Macchiato
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
Step 1: Black Tea Macchiato, also known as hong cha Macchiato, is a delicious and popular beverage many enjoy. The preparation of this drink is quite simple. Steep 10g of black tea in 200ml of hot water at 90°C for 10 minutes to extract the essence. Then, strain and remove the tea leaves.
Step 2: Pour 100ml of black tea into a glass, add 30ml of simple syrup, and stir until well dissolved. Add ice cubes to the glass.
Step 3: Finally, pour the prepared Macchiato into the glass and savor this beverage’s delightful and enticing flavor.
Preparation of Matcha Macchiato
Ingredients:
- 10g of matcha powder
- 100ml of boiling water
- 30ml of simple syrup
- 50ml of Macchiato
Instructions:
Step 1: Dissolve the matcha powder in 100ml of boiling water, stirring until the green tea powder is fully dissolved.
Step 2: Add the simple syrup to the dissolved matcha powder, stirring well. Allow it to cool, then add ice cubes. Finally, pour the Macchiato on top.
How to Make Beautiful Blue Pea Flower Macchiato Tea
Ingredients:
Coconut ice cream
- 110ml Coconut milk
- 20 butterfly pea flowers
- 35g white chocolate
- 220ml whipping cream
- 50ml condensed milk
Milk foam
- 110ml Whipping cream
- 2 tsp condensed milk
- 1 tbsp fresh milk
- 1 pinch of salt
Butterfly pea milk tea
- 1 tea bag
- 10 butterfly pea flowers
- Hot water 80’C
- Fresh milk
Preparation Method:
Step 1: Place the green tea and dried butterfly pea flowers together in a tea infuser. Pour hot water over the tea infuser, cover the leaves thoroughly, stir well, and discard the water.
Step 2: Pour 300ml of 90°C hot water over the tea mixture and let it steep for approximately 10 minutes to extract the essence. Remove the tea leaves by straining them and allow the liquid to cool.
Step 3: Pour 100ml of the tea extract into a glass, add 30ml of simple syrup, stir until dissolved, and then fill the glass 2/3 full with ice cubes. Finally, pour the Macchiato on top to complete the preparation.
How to drink Macchiato
An intriguing observation can be made when savoring a macchiato: unlike other beverages, there is no need to use a straw.
Instead, one drinks directly from the cup’s rim, allowing the milk foam on top to adhere to the edges of the lips, creating a visually appealing white rim effect.
How to servMacchiatoto
Since macchiato is a type of coffee in the Italian style, it is typically served in a porcelain cup (for hot macchiatos) to retain heat and enhance the sophistication of this European-inspired beverage.
Furthermore, it can also be served in a glass (for iced macchiatos) to showcase the layered effect of the different components while adding to the allure of the smooth white milk foam on top.
Moreover, to further enhance the sweetness of macchiatos, they can be accompanied by cookies or other sweet pastries, depending on personal taste preferences.
In this article, you learn how to make famous Italian coffee drinks and discover the recipe for makinMacchiatoto and various delicious combinations withMacchiato. This knowledge will help you create more delightful beverages, enhance your business in the beverage industry, or enrich your family’s diverse menu.
With the insights above, you have gained a deeper understanding of the essence of macchiato, including its origins, preparation methods, and the optimal way to savor this delightful beverage. Undoubtedly, you would want to get such a tantalizingly rich flavor. Additionally, remember to visit our Farm to Palms supermarket to select the coffee beans that perfectly complement your brewing technique!