You walk into a coffee shop with a book—or Kindle—ready to relax, do some reading and order a coffee. While waiting in line, you see written on the menu, the names of all the different espresso based drinks you can order— and you read about something call a Macchiato and you wonder what it is,
The small amount of milk added is enough to brighten the dark color of the coffee. If you prefer a little creaminess in your coffee, then a macchiato is the perfect alternative to the normal espresso.
How is that different from all the other coffee drinks you see on the menu? Instead of potentially ruining your morning by closing your eyes, pointing, and ordering, or just defaulting to the same thing you order every time, let me see if I can help you out in this article with the Macchiato and why it should be on your list of coffee drinks to order.
Even though you might not be a macchiato connoisseur… yet, reading this article about it can definitely help you learn a bit more about this coffee drink that almost always see on a typical cafe menu.
What is a Macchiato?
A Macchiato is a type of espresso-based coffee drink that originated in Italy. It is made with a shot of espresso and a small amount of milk foam, which is placed on top of the espresso to create a “stained” or “marked” effect, hence the name “Macchiato” which means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian.
A Macchiato is a type of espresso-based coffee drink that originated in Italy. It is made with a shot of espresso and a small amount of milk foam, which is placed on top of the espresso to create a “stained” or “marked” effect, hence the name “Macchiato” which means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian.
The Invention of the Macchiato
The origin of the Macchiato coffee is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It was created as a way for espresso drinkers to enjoy a stronger and more intense coffee experience. The addition of a small amount of milk foam was used to balance the intense flavor of the espresso and create a distinctive, stained appearance.
The Macchiato became popular in Italy and later spread to other countries, becoming a staple of coffee culture and a widely recognized coffee drink around the world. Today, the Macchiato remains a popular choice for coffee lovers who appreciate its bold flavor and simplicity.
Over the years, the macchiato that was created in Italy, has been changing , some even say evolving. This is due to coffee shops diversifying their product range and spicing up their menus by adding a dash of cinnamon here, a scoop of chocolate there, and so on.
A latte macchiato, for example, has evolved from the Macchiato. It has larger amounts of hot milk and can also have syrups such as caramel added to them.
The Rising Popularity of a Macchiato
Macchiato has gained popularity in recent years due to the growing trend of specialty coffee drinks and the rise of third-wave coffee shops. Consumers are looking for more unique and sophisticated coffee experiences, and the Macchiato fits the bill as a simple yet flavorful espresso drink.
It is also a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or as a base for other specialty drinks, such as latte macchiatos or caramel macchiatos. The popularity of the Macchiato has also been boosted by its inclusion on the menus of major coffee chains, which has made it more accessible to a wider audience.
The Macchiato’s simplicity and bold flavor continue to make it a popular choice for coffee lovers all over the world.
Macchiato Brewing Basics
When it comes to making a Macchiato, its a simple and straightforward process where the main difference is in the details.
Getting the ratios right is the key to making the perfect macchiato. The name itself gives you a clue on how it should be made: a splash of milk added to a pure espresso. Be careful not to add too much milk, or you will be making something more or less like a cappuccino or a latte.
The goal of making a macchiato is to preserve the strong flavor of the espresso while adding a small taste of sweetness with a splash of milk. As such, one shot of espresso is poured into an espresso cup and then a small amount of hot milk is added. Most coffee shops will use carefully created micro-foam while others will add a thin layer of foam.
Making a Macchiato at Home
If you always start your mornings with a macchiato, the good news is that the recipe for making it is really simple. You first need to make an espresso. You do not need to have a fancy coffee machine to make one similar to the one you see at your local coffee shop on your way to work.
The step-by-step process on how to make a Macchiato at home:
Gather the necessary equipment:
- an espresso machine
- a shot glass,
- a milk frother or a steam wand,
- and a demitasse cup.
Step by Step Process
1. Brew the espresso
Brew a shot of espresso, which should take approximately 25-30 seconds.
2. Froth the milk
While the espresso is brewing, heat and froth a small amount of milk in a separate jug. If using a steam wand, insert it into the milk and turn it on, frothing the milk until it reaches a creamy, frothy consistency. If using a milk frother, simply place the milk in the frother and turn it on.
3. Assemble the Macchiato
Pour the brewed espresso into the demitasse cup. Spoon a small amount of frothed milk on top of the espresso, creating a “stained” or “marked” effect.
4. Serve and enjoy
The Macchiato is now ready to be served and enjoyed. Savor the bold, intense flavor and enjoy as a pick-me-up or a dessert drink.
One of the most common way of making espresso, if you don’t have a espresso coffee machine, is using a Moka pot (look at my post that includes how to use a Moka pot for more information).
The Moka pot is a small silver kettle-like kitchen appliance that makes the good flavored and smooth coffee. The resulting drink may not be an exact match for an espresso-based Macchiato, but it will still be delicious and satisfying.
Espresso Macchiato Vs Latte Macchiato
Espresso Macchiato and Latte Macchiato are two different coffee drinks, although both contain espresso and milk.
An Espresso Macchiato consists of a single shot of espresso with a small amount of milk foam placed on top. The foam creates a “stained” or “marked” effect and serves to balance the intensity of the espresso. Espresso Macchiatos are typically served in small, demitasse cups and are known for their strong, bold flavor.
A Latte Macchiato, on the other hand, is made with a larger amount of steamed milk and a smaller amount of foam. The steamed milk is poured into a glass, followed by the shot of espresso and topped with a dollop of foam. Latte Macchiatos are usually served in larger glasses and have a milder flavor than Espresso Macchiatos.
Bottom line: the main difference between Espresso Macchiato and Latte Macchiato is the proportion of espresso, milk, and foam in each drink. Espresso Macchiatos are stronger and bolder, while Latte Macchiatos are milder and have a higher milk-to-espresso ratio.
What is a Caramel Macchiato?
It only takes 5 minutes to make a caramel macchiato at home. You will just need 5oz of milk, 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup, 1 shot of espresso and caramel sauce.
To begin, warm the coffee mug and add the tablespoon of vanilla syrup. Then add hot milk and milk foam into the cup and pour one shot of espresso that you maybe made with the Moka Pot. Drizzle caramel sauce on top and it’s ready to drink!
Is a Macchiato Coffee for You?
Short answer; Who Knows? As everyone is different, but in order to find out and broaden your coffee horizons, you should at least give it a try and see what all the talk is about.
I think it is always worth trying out new coffee drink especially if you don’t really know the type of coffee drink you want that day and you are looking for something different so , give it a try!
But of course, before you get to that point, I think its helpful to have a basic understanding of what you are getting yourself into when ordering or making this so lets talk basics:
Espresso or Cappuccino is often mentioned in the same sentence with a macchiato. However, a macchiato is just espresso with a tiny amount of milk. The milk creates a different flavor to that of espresso and the small amount of milk makes the macchiato taste different to a cappuccino.
It is traditional to start your day with a strong coffee in Italy. However, Italians do not order anything that has cream past midday. So if you ever visit Italy, you should enjoy your glass of macchiato before noon.
If you do not like the strength of rich and acidic espresso or the creaminess and sweetness of a cappuccino, a macchiato is a suitable choice for you.
On a milk scale, a macchiato is in between an espresso and a cappuccino—it gives you a taste of the two worlds. This could be the coffee for you if you don’t fancy an espresso but enjoy a strong coffee.
In recent years, baristas have spiced up the traditional products and added flavored syrup in order to satisfy the classics. You may want to try out a flavored macchiato, for example, with caramel or cinnamon. It is entirely up to you to try new things.
Final Thoughts
In order to know the different options of coffee available out there, you definitely don’t need to be a full-on lover of coffee.
Hopefully, this article has given you information that you didn’t know before about the origin of the macchiato, how you can make it at home and also how to order it from your favorite coffee shop. Give it a try, you never know it may become your new coffee drink of choice!
