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This is How You Make the Best Macchiato Coffee
A resume of how you can make the besy macchiato coffee, the greatest recipes and explaning the differences between espresso, latte and macchiato.
Published September 27, 2022
Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
What Is A Macchiato?
You go to your local coffee shop, or are preparing to make your coffee at home, but you want to try something different. Maybe you have seen a macchiato listed on the menu at your local coffee shop or have heard about it when researching different coffee options to try and make at home. But what is a macchiato, and what makes it different from other coffee beverage options such as the latte or cappuccino? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about macchiato coffee.
Read more about what is a macchiato here.
Espresso Macchiato vs Latte Macchiato
The traditional macchiato (or caffè macchiato) comes with solo (one) or doppio (two) espresso shots topped with a dollop of milk foam. The beverage is intense, giving a kick of caffeine and espresso flavor while lightly balanced by the milk.
If you’re familiar with an espresso cortado, it’s actually similar to the cafe macchiato, but the milk and espresso are both of equal parts. This also means that the macchiato is the more concentrated of the two.
On the other hand, a latte macchiato beverage assembly begins with steamed milk. This is different from the usual latte, where espresso comes first. The barista will pour milk before the brewed espresso shots on top of the foam. Because the coffee is heavier than the foam, it will sink beneath it and not mix with the rest of the drink, creating an ombre effect.
Depending on where you buy your latte macchiato, preparations may vary. Some coffeehouses may use one or two espressos, which will have differences in caffeine strength too.
So, what does a macchiato taste like? Macchiatos are deemed "espresso-forward" beverages, which means the flavor of the espresso is more evident. If you compare the two, latte macchiatos are generally milky and espresso macchiatos are more intense.
Read more about Espresso Macchiato versus Latte Macchiato here.
Machiatto versus Moccha
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.
Read more about Machiatto versus Mocha here.
How To Make a Caramel Macchiato?
Warming and sweet, it’s no surprise that the caramel macchiato is one of the top drinks sold at Starbucks. But the good news is that if you want to enjoy a cup of this delicious beverage, there’s no need to spend any extra money. In fact, the frothy, sweet caramel macchiato can easily be made at home for a fraction of the price you’d pay in a coffee shop using just four ingredients if you have an espresso maker at home. A shot of espresso coffee is the best choice for making this coffee drink if you have an espresso machine, but don’t worry if you don’t since a shot of instant espresso or K-cup espresso can also work just as well, along with very strongly brewed coffee if you prefer.
Read more how to make a Caramel Macchiato here.
Macchiato versus Cortado?
Statistics from the National Coffee Association suggest that more than 60% of the population drinks at least one cup of coffee daily. Coffee comes in a range of different variants, with cortado and macchiato being among the several options available. While you might know the difference between these two beverages easily if you are from Italy or Spain, some Americans and people from other parts of the world aren’t sure how they differ. If you have seen macchiato and cortado on your local coffee shop’s menu or have seen a macchiato or a cortado at Starbucks and are wondering how the two are different, keeping reading to find out more.
Read more about the differences between Macchiato versus Cortado here.
Caramel Macchiato versus Caramel Latte?
Along with saving a lot of money compared to buying your drinks at Starbucks or a local coffee shop, you also have the chance to further customize the drinks to exactly how you like them. However, lots of people are not sure how to make their usual orders when they start preparing their own coffee. Two popular coffee shop drinks that you might want to try making at home are a caramel latte and a caramel macchiato. But what are the main differences when it comes to the macchiato vs latte, and what do you need to start making these delicious coffee beverages at home?
Read more about the differences between Caramel Macchiato versus Caramel Latte here.
Iced Macchiato versus Iced Latte?
Getting a cold and refreshing coffee drink when it’s warm outside can be a bit confusing for those who are not coffee experts, since ordering an iced drink often feels like you’re getting the same thing regardless of what you asked for. Two of the most popular options for iced, milky coffee drinks are the iced latte and the iced macchiato. But is there much of an actual difference between these two iced coffee beverages? Surprisingly, the answer is yes, but the difference between the two is very simple. An iced macchiato is stronger and more layered compared to an iced latte, which is mixed, and weaker. If you enjoy iced coffees in the summer or at any time of the year and are interested in learning more about how your favorite cold coffee drinks are made, let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two popular types of iced coffee in more detail. What’s the main difference between latte and macchiato?
Read more about the differences between Iced Macchiato versus Iced Latte here.
Recipe: Blonde Caramel Macchiato
This blonde caramel macchiato is the perfect drink for the fall! for those who have a sweet tooth! Plus it gives you an excuse to make some homemade caramel sauce. Let me know what you think!
Recipe: Iced Caramel Macchiato Starbucks
An iced caramel macchiato is the chilled equivalent of everyone’s favourite warming caramel coffee. Refreshing, but comforting. Rich but smooth. A gorgeous combination of flavours in a super smooth and satisfying drink.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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