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Macchiato vs Mocha
The main differences between macchiatos, latte macchiatos, and mochas.
Published March 10, 2022
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Erik Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you regularly go to a chain or local coffee shop, then mochas and macchiatos are probably options that you have seen on the menu. Perhaps you have ordered one of these before, but still aren’t exactly sure what was in it. Or, maybe you are interested in ordering them, but always tend to stick to what you know such as a classic latte or cappuccino because you don’t want to get it wrong and end up not liking it. Read on to find out more about mochas and macchiatos and the main differences between these two drinks. We’ve got all the information that you need to make an informed decision about which of these delicious options is the one you want to drink next time you go to your favorite coffee shop.
What is a Macchiato?
What you will get when you order a macchiato will often depend on where you are and the coffee shop that you are in. In American coffee shops, a lot of the time, the macchiato options on the menu are less authentic and tend to have more sugar content compared to a real macchiato that you’d get at an authentic Italian coffee shop. Italians invented the macchiato to highlight the flavor of the espresso rather than mask it with syrup; however, many macchiato drinks are caramel or vanilla flavored. Of course, both are very enjoyable, depending on what you like.
If you want an authentic macchiato, then your best option is to find an authentic Italian coffee shop that offers them. In Italian, macchiato means ‘marked’ or ‘stained’. Simply put, the espresso is stained or marked with a little bit of steamed milk and some foam on top. This results in a strong and bold espresso drink that is balanced with the creamy and sweet milk. If you’re ordering at an American coffee shop, ask for an espresso macchiato, which is usually what this original version of the macchiato is referred to as.
The latte macchiato is another version that you may have seen on coffee shop menus. This drink uses a different technique and much more steamed milk. A larger amount of milk is steamed similar to making a latte, and the shots are pulled as normal. With a latte macchiato, the difference is that the espresso marks the milk, rather than the other way around. The steamed milk is added to the cup first and the espresso is poured over it very slowly to create layers. It’s similar to a latte, with the layers and the slow pour being the main differences between the two.
Is a caramel macchiato sweet? If you have noticed this drink on the menu, you might know that it is very different to the classic macchiato. At coffee shops like Starbucks, the caramel macchiato is made by adding vanilla syrup to a cup, filling with steamed milk, before pouring over an espresso shot and topping with caramel sauce. How to make caramel macchiato sweeter? Although this is already a very sweet drink, you can sweeten it even more using sugar or adding more vanilla syrup to the drink.
What is a Mocha?
Another coffee drink that you might have seen on coffee shop menus and are interested in trying is a mocha. What makes a mocha distinct from other types of coffee drinks is that it has another ingredient: chocolate. A mocha can’t be made without chocolate; this drink combines the delicious flavors of the chocolate and the coffee in one drink, so it’s perfect for anybody who loves coffee and hot chocolate and is struggling to choose between the two.
To make a mocha, you start with an espresso shot and chocolate sauce. A generous amount of steamed milk is added, usually without any foam. In many coffee shops, you can ask for whipped cream and chocolate shavings to top the coffee. This is a basic mocha, but there are several options to choose from. You can add a range of different flavored syrups to your mocha such as hazelnut or vanilla, and white chocolate mochas are a popular option at lots of coffee shops.
The Main Differences Between the Two
As you will probably already know from reading the descriptions, macchiatos and mochas are two quite different drinks. There are three main factors that really separate these drinks from one another – milk preparation, flavor, and variety. Keep reading to find out more about these differences and get a better understanding of the two drinks.
Flavor
You will immediately notice a different flavor profile when you try a macchiato and a mocha. Macchiatos have a strong espresso flavor with a touch of sweetness added by the milk. On the other hand, a mocha celebrates the combined flavors of the coffee and chocolate together, which makes them sweeter and tones down the espressos intense flavors.
Are macchiatos sweet? Whether or not a macchiato is sweet will depend on the type of drink that you order. If you get a classic macchiato, then there is a slight sweetness from the milk. On the other hand, a latte macchiato, or a variety such as a caramel mocha macchiato or iced mocha macchiato will be sweeter due to the larger amount of milk. Of course, a flavored version will be even sweeter.
Variety
When it comes to the variety of flavors and options on offer, mochas are a clear winner. As mentioned earlier, there are many different flavor options for mochas beyond the regular or white version. You can get various seasonal flavors such as peppermint mochas that are very popular. Most coffee shops today offer a wide range of flavored syrups that customers can choose from to customize their mochas exactly how they like them.
On the other hand, the classic macchiato is a simple drink that is more focused on the espresso. There are two authentic drinks available - an espresso macchiato and a latte macchiato. You may find coffee shops also offer flavored versions that are less authentic but do taste great, like a caramel macchiato or a chocolate macchiato.
Milk Preparation
Both macchiatos and mochas are made with milk; however, different techniques are used with a different effect on each beverage. A classic espresso macchiato will use a very small amount of milk with a little bit of foam. On the other hand, a latte macchiato is made with more milk and microfoam, which creates layers when the espresso is poured over it. Mochas are made with milk to even the texture out and ensure that the espresso and chocolate flavors are highlighted.
Iced Macchiatos
If you like going to chain coffee shops like Starbucks, then you might have seen an iced macchiato on the menu. Iced macchiatos are usually an iced latte macchiato. There is not that much difference between an iced latte and iced macchiato. Iced lattes are typically made with espresso and cold milk, and the same is true for an iced macchiato. You can also get various versions including an iced mocha macchiato, which is made with espresso, chocolate sauce, and cold milk. Usually, one of the main differences between iced caramel macchiato vs latte is that the milk is added to the espresso in an iced latte, while the espresso is added to the milk when making an iced macchiato. Since the milk is not steamed at all for an iced macchiato or latte, the differences between the two are very subtle.
Macchiato and Latte Differences
There are obvious differences between a macchiato and a latte including the size of the drink and the amount of milk added. A classic macchiato is the size of an espresso shot or doppio and has a small amount of milk foam on the top. On the other hand, a latte is a single or double espresso shot with a lot of milk foam added and microfoam on top. When it comes to the difference between macchiato vs latte, however, these two drinks are fairly similar. Both are made with a larger amount of milk and caramel syrup, but the espresso is added differently in each drink. The milk is added to the espresso in the case of a latte, while on the other hand, espresso is layered over the milk to make a macchiato. A caramel macchiato will usually be made with vanilla syrup and caramel sauce on the top, while a caramel latte is made with caramel flavored coffee syrup.
Latte and Mocha Differences
There is one main difference between a mocha and a latte; chocolate is added to the mocha. Other than that, the two drinks are made in a very similar way including added steamed milk to the espresso shot. To make a mocha, all you need to do is add your choice of chocolate sauce to the espresso before adding the steamed milk. You can top the mocha with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and add flavored syrups to customize.
Macchiatos and mochas are two very popular drinks on most coffee shop menus.
About the author
Erik Hedlund
With Era of We and The Coffee Lab, I hope to share knowledge, increase the value of coffee – and secure the future of coffee.
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