What is A Macchiato? All You Need to Know
Macchiatos are delicious espresso drinks that have been popularized in America by Starbucks’ famous Caramel Macchiato. While the Caramel Macchiato is a delicious flavored and sugary drink that edges on being addicting, it is far from the traditional macchiato.
The macchiato was originally an espresso and steamed milk beverage. It was served with no other flavors or spices. The quality of the espresso shot was what deemed a macchiato to be good or bad.
In Italy, a macchiato is the most common drink served in coffee shops during an ordinary afternoon because of their rich taste and luscious creaminess. Macchiatos are seriously delicious drinks.
There is nothing wrong with the rising love for Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiatos, but traditional macchiatos are just as good. Read on to discover what a traditional macchiato tastes like and how to brew them!
What is a macchiato?
There are two types of commonly known macchiato. These include the espresso macchiato and the latte macchiato. The espresso macchiato is the more traditional version of this classic Italian drink. If you are ordering a macchiato from a specialty coffee shop or in Italy, the espresso macchiato is most likely what you will be served.
Both versions of the macchiato combine the power and boldness of a plain espresso shot and the creaminess of a cappuccino. They differ depending on how much of each ingredient (steamed milk and espresso) is added.
An espresso macchiato has a very strong, rich espresso flavor and contains a splash of milk to cut the bitterness. They are very small and are usually only 2-3 ounces in size. Espresso macchiatos are traditionally made from one shot of espresso and 2 tablespoons of steamed milk and milk foam.
The milk forms a dollop in the center of the espresso, which is where macchiatos get their name. Macchiato means “stained” or spotted” referring to the white dot of textured milk in the center of the dark espresso.
The espresso macchiato is much smaller than the latte macchiato. The latte macchiato contains much more steamed milk than espresso. Steamed milk makes up ½ of the 12-ounce drink. A single shot of espresso is carefully poured on top of the steamed milk in a layered fashion.
Latte macchiato is often served with espresso in the center of the drink. This creates a dark spot in the white foam. The latte macchiato is different from a regular latte because it contains less espresso and more steamed milk.
Additionally, a latte macchiato is layered with espresso on top of the steamed milk while a latte mixes the two ingredients. Lattes do not have the dotted stain that latte macchiatos do, making them easily distinguishable in traditional Italian cafes.
Macchiatos have variations around the world including something called a long macchiato from Australia. This drink consists of two shots of espresso with a dash of milk served in a small cup.
In Portugal, a macchiato is referred to as a café pingado, but this drink plays with the original espresso to milk ratios. A cafe pingado’s ratios depend on where it is being ordered but oftentimes contains more milk than espresso.
A cortado is a drink like an espresso macchiato, but contains equal parts espresso and steamed milk, whereas an espresso macchiato contains more espresso than milk. Cortados gained popularity in Spain and can be ordered anywhere that serves espresso.
Espresso macchiatos can be found in various forms all around the world. The traditional espresso and milk combination is something that has changed very little since its invention and is enjoyed regularly across Italian cafes today.
Five Facts About Macchiato
- There is no single traditional way to brew a macchiato
- Macchiato translates to “marked” or “stained” because of how the espresso and the milk contrast on the top of the drink.
- November 19th is National Macchiato Day.
- Starbucks introduced their version of the latte macchiato in 1987 and it quickly became their most popular drink.
- Macchiatos are viewed as an afternoon treat in Italy and are rarely ordered in the morning.
History of the Macchiato
Macchiato’s name comes from the term “to stain” or to otherwise mark. This is thought to refer to macchiato’s dot of milk, which is often found in the center of the drink. Many people believe that this marking process gained popularity in the 1980s due to the need to distinguish black espresso from espresso with milk.
Espresso macchiatos contain so little milk that their coloring appears like that of black espresso. By marking espresso macchiatos with a dot of white milk foam, they became easily identifiable. This marking process most likely originated in Italy, where espresso was invented.
In Italy, macchiatos are referred to as a caffe macchiato or espresso macchiatos. Most coffee shops in Italy do not serve the latte macchiato regularly. If you are trying to order a latte macchiato, let the barista know ahead of time so they can prepare it the way you like.
Macchiatos came about as a socially acceptable way to drink espresso in the afternoon. Coffee, especially espresso-based drinks, carry a lot of cultural significance in Italy. There are certain times of the day when such drinks can be ordered.
If you go to Italy, nobody will stop you from ordering an espresso macchiato in the early morning, but you might get a couple of odd looks. Espresso macchiatos are viewed as more of an afternoon treat.
Traditionally, cappuccinos are only consumed in the morning and are seen as too creamy and sweet to drink in the afternoon. Instead, espresso macchiatos are ordered in the afternoon because they are much more palatable.
How to Make Macchiato
Macchiato can be made in two different ways. It can be made as latte macchiatos, which include a lot of steamed milk and a single shot of espresso layered on top. Macchiatos can also be made as espresso macchiatos in which a single shot of espresso is combined with a splash of steamed milk.
For both versions of this classic drink, the ingredients and materials are the same, it is the combination of the ingredients and the techniques that differ.
Equipment needed
- Conical burr grinder
- Espresso machine
- Metal steaming pitcher
- Steam wand
- Coffee cup (3 ounces for an espresso macchiato or 12 ounces for a latte macchiato)
Ingredients needed
- 10 g espresso roast coffee beans (whole)
- Whole milk (3 ounces for an espresso macchiato or 10 ounces for a latte macchiato)
Steps to Make an Espresso Macchiato
- Using a conical burr grinder, finely grind 10 g espresso roast coffee beans.
- Scoop the coffee grounds into the portafilter. Tap the portafilter on the counter to settle the grounds and use a tamping rod to pack them.
- Replace the tamping rod on the espresso machine and brew a single shot of espresso according to the espresso machine’s instructions.
- Pour the fresh espresso shot into the serving cup and set aside.
- Pour 3 ounces of milk into the metal steaming pitcher and place the tip of the steam wand close to but not touching the bottom of the pitcher.
- Turn on the steam wand and slowly lower the steaming pitcher until the top of the steam wand is close to but not breaking the surface of the milk. You should hear a ripping sound.
- Hold this position for 3 seconds before lowering the steam wand back into the bottom of the pitcher.
- Hold this position until the milk reaches 62 degrees Celsius.
- Slowly pour 2 tablespoons of the steamed milk into the espresso shot. To create the milk spot in the middle of the espresso, hold the pitcher close to the espresso shot while pouring.
Steps to Make a Latte Macchiato
- Using a conical burr grinder, finely grind 10 g espresso roast coffee beans.
- Scoop the coffee grounds into the portafilter. Tap the portafilter on the counter to settle the grounds and use a tamping rod to pack them.
- Replace the tamping rod on the espresso machine and brew a single shot of espresso according to the espresso machine’s instructions.
- Pour 10 ounces of whole milk in the metal steaming pitcher and place the tip of the steam wand close to but not touching the bottom of the pitcher.
- Turn on the steam wand and slowly lower the steaming pitcher until the top of the steam wand is close to but not breaking the surface of the milk. You should hear a ripping sound.
- Hold this position for 3 seconds before lowering the steam wand back into the bottom of the pitcher.
- Hold this position until the milk reaches 62 degrees Celsius.
- Pour the steamed milk into the 12-ounce serving cup and slowly pour the espresso shot on top. To create the classic spot of espresso in the middle of the steamed milk, hold the pitcher close to the espresso shot while pouring.
Notes
Latte macchiatos are often served in clear cups so the contrast of the dark espresso and the white milk can be better observed. Latte macchiatos are a layered drink and preparing them in this fashion helps baristas and coffee drinkers to distinguish them from regular lattes.
When pouring the steamed milk, start by holding the milk pitcher half a foot above the serving cup and very slowly begin to pour the milk. Quickly lower the milk pitcher so it is an inch or so above the serving cup while continuously and slowly pouring the steamed milk. This will create a beautiful white spot in the dark espresso.
Variations
The traditional macchiato has no original base recipe so there are plenty of variations depending on where you order this espresso drink. The biggest variation is the ratio of espresso to steamed milk.
Latte macchiatos are more common in America and certain parts of England, but the espresso macchiato is the most popular and revised version of the macchiato.
Australia’s long macchiato can be made by following the instructions above for an espresso macchiato but including two shots instead of one shot and twice the amount of steamed milk. This drink is a lot larger than Italy’s espresso macchiato but has the same milk to espresso ratio.
Spain’s cortado is only a little bigger than the traditional espresso macchiato because it includes a 1:1 ratio of milk and espresso. Most cortados only contain one espresso shot, which can be anywhere from 1-2 ounces of espresso depending on the espresso machine.
This amount of espresso is met with a matching amount of steamed milk for a delicious half and half espresso drink. To brew a cortado, follow the instructions above for an espresso macchiato but include the same amount of milk as you do espresso.
Conclusion
Macchiato has been popularized in America due to Starbucks’ take on the classic latte macchiato but there are many more versions of this delicious espresso drink. The original version of this drink, the espresso macchiato, has been popular for decades in Italian coffee shops.
Macchiato’s name comes from the way baristas marked the espresso with milk to distinguish them from black espresso shots and this tradition has carried on today. The contrasting spot on a macchiato will tell you if a barista knows what they are doing.
While macchiatos have a long history and a strict preparation procedure, they are easy to make at home with your own espresso machine. These rich espresso drinks are perfect for a quick afternoon pick-me-up and have been treating people for decades.
About the Author
Twigs cafe staff is comprised of editors, writers, food & drink experts, nutritionists, and researchers to create informative and helpful content for health-conscious people.
