Macchiato Is Not a Milk Coffee Variant? Find out in the following explanation!
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When it comes to coffee, the possibilities seem endless. Starting from regular milk coffee, cappuccino, and latte, and now there's macchiato. So, what exactly is macchiato?
Some people argue that macchiato is one of the milk coffee variants. Indeed, milk is an ingredient in macchiatos, but is it true that macchiato falls into the category of milk coffee? How much milk is actually present in a cup of macchiato? Instead of wondering, let's find out the answers in the following article!
What is Macchiato?
Before categorizing macchiato as a type of milk coffee or not, it's better to first discuss what macchiato is. The name "Macchiato" is derived from the Italian language, where "macchiato" means "stain" or "mark." In the coffee world, macchiato signifies an element that marks or stains the coffee dish. When talking about macchiato, the elements used are espresso and milk.
Therefore, macchiato essentially means milk marking espresso or espresso marking milk, and this can be determined by the proportions used between these two elements.
Types of Macchiato
There are two types of macchiato based on their preparation: latte macchiato and espresso macchiato. Both types essentially have the same components, but their proportions differ.
Espresso Macchiato
Espresso macchiato, or caffé macchiato, is the classic Italian macchiato. It consists of 1-2 shots of espresso with 1-2 teaspoons of steamed milk and a little foam on top. If you observe closely, the milk foam forms a circular shape in the middle of the cup.
What's the difference from a Cappuccino, then?
Espresso macchiato is indeed sometimes adorned with latte art, resembling cappuccino, but the two have different espresso content and presentations. Espresso macchiato is served in a demitasse cup, a small cup typically used for serving espresso, while cappuccino is served in a slightly larger cup.
In espresso macchiato, the espresso content is more dominant, with the milk element serving as a mere "stain" due to its minimal quantity. On the other hand, in cappuccino, the proportions of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk are balanced. One could say that espresso macchiato falls between espresso and cappuccino; stronger than a cappuccino but not as intense as espresso.
In contrast to cappuccino, macchiato was actually created in Italy as a daytime or afternoon drink. Its moderate size and less intense flavor make it suitable for enjoying as a second cup of coffee.
Latte Macchiato
Well, unlike espresso macchiato, latte macchiato has more milk than espresso, making it essentially milk marked with espresso. If you notice, in the presentation of latte macchiato, there's usually a brown spot on top.
Latte macchiato is a layered drink, and it's typically served in a tall, transparent glass.
The presentation of latte macchiato is also a bit of an art; first, you pour steamed milk into the glass, and then you slowly pour one or half a shot espresso on top of the steamed milk. When poured correctly, the gradation between steamed milk, espresso, and the layer of foam on top will definitely be visibly distinct.
Caramel Macchiato
Don't worry, this one isn't a variation of macchiato; it's actually a part of latte macchiato, as it contains more milk than espresso. Caramel macchiato has gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts. It consists of espresso, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel sauce. The taste of caramel macchiato tends to be sweet, with a moderate amount of coffee. Distinguishing Macchiato from Other Drinks
The plethora of coffee options can sometimes be confusing, and the differences between them may seem subtle. However, what's certain is that macchiato has unique proportions and ingredients compared to other drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. With distinct proportions, the flavor profile varies accordingly. Espresso macchiato offers a bolder espresso flavor, while cappuccino has a lighter coffee taste, followed by latte.
How to Make Macchiato
For those curious about making macchiato, here's a recipe you can try:
Ingredients:
- • NESCAFÉ Classic
- • 30 ml milk
- • Add the necessary hot water
How to make:
- Brew NESCAFÉ Classic with a small amount of hot water to create an espresso.
- Heat the milk.
- Whisk or use a French press to froth the milk.
- Pour the frothed milk into the espresso cup.
- Serve.
These days, macchiatos can also be found with various additions to enhance their flavor, such as whipped cream, vanilla syrup, chocolate sprinkles, cinnamon, or an extra touch of caramel. For those of you who want to give caramel macchiato a try NESCAFÉ Caramel Macchiato you can experience its distinctive flavor with just the right level of sweetness. So, who's interested in trying macchiato coffee?
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