Browsing through a cafe menu, you will come across various coffee terms like cappuccino, affogato, cortado, macchiato, espresso, etc. While we are familiar with some coffee beverages, others remain obscured in mystery. If you’re bored of ordering the same coffee everytime and want to know more about what every coffee means, you’ve come to the right place! Today, let’s learn about the macho macchiato.
What Is A Macchiato?
A macchiato, meaning "stained" or "spotted" in Italian, is a type of coffee drink that originated in Italy. The name refers to the addition of just a small amount of milk to an espresso, creating a "stain" or "spot" on the surface of the dark coffee. It is traditionally made with a small amount of frothed milk added to a shot of espresso and served in a small demitasse or espresso cup. The macchiato as we know it today has been popular in Italy for many decades and has since become a staple in coffee shops around the world.
So, even if the name might sound intimidating, a macchiato is nothing more than a shot of espresso coffee stained with a small amount of frothed milk.
How Is A Macchiato Made?
Here is a recipe to make a classic macchiato:
Ingredients:
1. 1 shot of espresso
2. A small amount of whole milk froth
Instructions:
1. Brew a shot of espresso with dark roast coffee.
2. Froth a small amount of whole milk. You can do this using a handheld frother.
3. Pour the frothed milk over the shot of espresso.
4. Serve in a small demitasse cup.
Note: You can adjust the ratio of espresso to milk to your preference, but the traditional macchiato is made with just a small amount of milk to create a "stained" or "spotted" effect on the surface of the dark coffee.
How Is A Macchiato Different From a Latte Macchiato?
A classic macchiato is made with just espresso and a small amount of frothed milk. It is a simple, but flavorful coffee drink that allows the bold taste of the espresso to shine through.
With a latte macchiato, an espresso shot is added to steamed milk.
Now, if you order a regular latte, steamed milk is added to an espresso. If we think about a macchiato vs latte, the difference lies in the amount of milk that is added to the espresso. In a latte, twice the amount of an espresso is added.
With a latte macchiato, where espresso is added to milk, you will find a little more froth. In some places, like Starbucks, a latte macchiato is garnished with caramel or hazelnut syrup to add more flavour. If you compare this to a traditional macchiato, they’re totally different drinks!
Conclusion
Macchiato is a staple in Italian coffee culture. It has been popular in Italy for many decades and is a staple in traditional Italian coffee shops. It is a versatile coffee drink. While the classic recipe is simple, there are many variations of the macchiato that incorporate different flavours, such as caramel, vanilla, or chocolate. The size of a macchiato can vary. A traditional macchiato is served in a small demitasse cup, but the size can vary depending on the coffee shop or personal preference.
The quality of a macchiato depends on the kind of coffee used. An espresso made from artisanal coffee with a dark roast will result in a better macchiato.
The next time you brew an espresso, why not add a little frothed milk to it and make it a macchiato?!