Espresso vs Macchiato
If you’ve been around coffee long enough and know about the classic separate parts of espresso, then you probably know to order a macchiato instead of an espresso when you go out for coffee.
If you're looking to take your coffee skills to the next level, then you'll love what this article has to offer.
What’s the Difference Between Macchiato and Espresso?
When it comes down to it, there really isn't much of a difference between a macchiato and an espresso. They are both made from hot water and ground coffee beans, but that's about where the similarities end.
What is an Espresso?
An espresso is made up of 1 to 1.25 ounces of hot water and 7 to 9 grams of finely ground dark roast coffee beans.
To make espresso, the water passes through the finely ground coffee at a very high pressure, which is why it’s so strong. Espresso is one of the strongest of any of the drinks that fall under the category of “coffee.”
A macchiato is an Italian drink that originated in Italy sometime after World War II when soldiers started ordering a shot of espresso with a small dollop of foamed milk on top.
The espresso machine will force the water through the coffee beans at nine bars of pressure. The result is an intense beverage that’s full-bodied and has plenty of flavors. Most people use a dash of milk or a bit of sugar to balance out the strong flavor, but it’s certainly not necessary.
What is a Macchiato?
Macchiato can be a confusing term in the world of coffee. The word ‘Macchiato’ is Italian. It loosely translates to ‘marked’ and describes an espresso beverage made with milk.
The espresso macchiato is a caffeinated drink that mixes espresso and milk. If you’re looking for coffee with more milk than caffeine, this is not the drink for you.
The macchiato is 2/3 espresso and 1/3 steamed milk
Macchiatos differ enormously depending on where you order them. If you order a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, you’ll get a drink with steamed milk, espresso, and caramel syrup lining the cup and on top. The caramel syrup is meant to be able to make a “caramel macchiato latte”, where the drink is combined with steamed milk.
Indeed, there are actually different types of macchiatos as well. If you order a latte macchiato, you’ll also be getting a 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk drink that is topped with steamed milk (signified by the word “latte” on the cup).
The espresso macchiato is thought by many to be the original macchiato and is really the first one that you probably have had. An espresso macchiato is an espresso shot combined with steamed milk in a cup. There are also black macchiatos, which are made with black coffee instead of espresso.
How to Order a Macchiato:
A macchiato should be ordered by simply saying “compresso macchiato” when ordering your beverage. The name of the drink follows in Italian.
Also known as a ‘caramel macchiato latte’, they are served with steamed milk, caramel, and espresso is how it is done in Italy. If you prefer a decaf espresso, do not say “decaffeinato” and instead order it as such. It is a word that means “decaf” in Italian.
Here are some variations of macchiato and the ways to serve it:
Espresso Macchiato (Caffe Espresso Macchiato)-An espresso shot marked or stained with steamed milk.
Espresso Macchiato Latte (Caffè Latte Macchiato)- Steamed Milk stained with espresso shot
Double Shot Macchiato (Doppio Macchiato)-An espresso shot with a double shot of steamed milk.
Caffè Macchiato-A macchiato made by adding a little bit of black coffee on top
Caffe Lungo Macchiato (20 oz.) – A macchiato with a double shot of long espresso.
Caffe Americano Macchiato (20 oz.) -A macchiato with an Americano.
Why do people order macchiatos?
Many people order macchiatos to enjoy the taste. It is fun for people to try different types of espresso drinks from around the world, and they can be made with any type of coffee that you like.
If you like your coffee with milk and sugar, then a macchiato is a great drink for you.
Traditional Macchiato Recipe:
The original form of the espresso macchiato is a caffé macchiato in Italy. The drink is composed of espresso, which stains milk as it should be, and a little spoon of foam. The classic Italian macchiato is made with 2/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and a drop of cocoa powder on the surface of the drink.
Final Words
We hope this article on espresso vs macchiato has helped to further your understanding of the two drinks. Espresso is a drink that is made with an espresso machine while a macchiato is a drink made with milk and has much more in common with lattes.
You don’t have to necessarily stick to the normal ways of ordering your drink. Some people like to switch up their words and experiment with different recipes and what works for them.
So did you tried a Macchiato and how was it?
