Latte macchiato: the difference between latte and latte macchiato and macchiato

Latte macchiato (a variation and alternative to caffellatte) is a hot drink of Italian origin, consisting of two layers: milk foam and espresso or milk, foam and a small amount of coffee, enough to form spots of foam at the top, which does not reach the milk below.

To prepare, pour the frothed milk into a tall glass and after a few seconds add the espresso coffee. Unlike latte, here coffee is poured into milk, and not vice versa.

The success began in the late 90s: filter coffee suddenly fell out of favor, and latte macchiatos began to be drunk in cities. Nowadays, this variation of coffee has become widespread even outside big cities. Despite this, the latte macchiato remains a symbol of the youth urban lifestyle.

What is latte macchiato

Latte macchiato is a hot drink consisting of milk, foam and espresso. The name suggests it's "a latte, which is milk with a stain in Italian," and by stain we naturally mean espresso.

Initially, latte macchiato was not intended for adults, but for children, so that they could drink coffee in the morning with their parents. For this reason, latte macchiato mainly contains milk, so the coffee tastes sweeter and more delicate.

Latte macchiato is usually served in a tall glass and visually stands out from other coffee drinks due to its multi-layered coloring.

Ingredients for latte macchiato:

150–200 ml milk;

25-30 ml espresso;

Tip: For making latte macchiato, we recommend espresso blends with a minimum percentage of robusta, such as Classico della Delizio espresso, Caruso espresso or M-Classic espresso.

When choosing milk, professionals recommend using whole milk (3.5% fat). The higher the fat and protein content, the creamier, denser and tastier the foam will be.

Useful tips and tricks

Latte macchiato also looks attractive in its classic version, in a transparent glass with a head of white foam on top. However, the drink is increasingly being decorated with various additives. Most often it is cinnamon, cocoa powder or brown sugar. Some coffee shops use a mixture of spices for Christmas gingerbread.
If you want to get a very sweet drink, you can not only add sugar during preparation, but also pour 30 ml of syrup into warm milk. Moreover, the syrup can have any flavor - from such classics as caramel and vanilla, to pumpkin spice, popular in the USA, and the aroma of green tea. Various coffee shops around the world offer unique tastes and aromas.
To make the foam dense, you need to turn the jug and knock several times on the work surface. The milk must be heated between 50 and 60 degrees to obtain a truly stable foam, so it is advisable to use a thermometer when preparing latte macchiato.
The type of coffee beans determines the entire taste of the drink. Personal preferences may vary, but the most universal option that will suit everyone is considered to be 100% Arabica.
If the layers are not separating properly, you can try pouring the espresso along the inside of the glass.
Beautiful shapes can be applied to milk foam using stencils using cinnamon or cocoa. If this accessory is not available, you can use cookie cutters for this purpose.

With the help of chocolate syrup and appropriate utensils, even original designs can be created on the milk foam of the latte macchiato. This is done simply - the syrup can be distributed on the inside of the glass before pouring the milk, forming beautiful abstract stripes and patterns.

Making latte macchiato

Prepare foam;
Pour the heated milk and foam into a tall, narrow glass;
Prepare espresso;
Slowly and carefully pour the espresso into the glass through the foam;
Sprinkle with chocolate or cinnamon powder if needed;
Latte macchiato with perfect layers

A real latte can only be considered as such if it consists of three layers: milk, espresso and foam. But how to get them?

It is important that the coffee is hotter than the milk. Espresso also needs to be poured into the glass very slowly so that it has time to settle between the milk and the foam.

Vanilla flavor

Latte macchiato can be prepared at home, even without a coffee machine or special milk frother. This is really possible if you use a French press correctly. Using this device, it is quite possible to make a three-layer drink, which in appearance is no different from the professional work served in coffee shops.

What ingredients will you need?

2/3 tbsp. milk;
1 shot of espresso;
1.5 tsp. sugar, optional;
0.5 tsp. vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste);
cocoa powder for sprinkling.

Step-by-step cooking process

It is necessary to heat the milk with vanilla and sugar (if desired). You don't have to boil it, just make sure it's hot.
Then you need to prepare espresso using a French press or brew it by hand on the stove. If the coffee seems too strong, you can add a little hot water to it.
Next, you need to pour hot milk into the French press, cover with a lid and shake up and down until the desired foam forms.
After this, you need to pour the foamy milk into the glass, filling it almost to the brim, and set it aside for a minute so that the milk separates from the thick foam located on top.
You then pour the espresso over the milk in a thin stream and it will immediately begin to settle between the milk and the foam, creating a three-layer effect.

Latte macchiato: trends

There are many variations of latte macchiato. Since latte macchiato is a type of latte, it is varied in the same way as latte, with additives.

With vegan alternatives becoming increasingly popular in cafes in recent years, the current latte macchiato trends are powered by superfoods, from matcha milk to beet milk and turmeric milk to broccoli milk. The latter is a creation born in Melbourne, Australia, where powdered broccoli is added to coffee.

Another Australian innovation is the avocado latte: a latte macchiato served in an empty avocado skin that took the internet world by storm last year.

Also known is the unicorno latte, which was very popular in New York last year. However, this drink has nothing to do with coffee anymore: it consists of cashews, vanilla, ginger, lemon juice, dates, powdered seaweed and colored flakes.

Don't like vegetables in your latte macchiato and prefer something sweet? Try Migusto chestnut milk: perfect for cold winter days.

How to use the Dolce Gusto machine?

Even a child can use this technique. The capsule must be inserted into the tray, and the handle must be used to turn on or off the water. To make black coffee, you will need 1 capsule , and if you want it with milk, then 2 . The product has instructions, which show in pictures and text how to use the equipment.

Latte macchiato calories

Nutritional information for an unsweetened latte macchiato consisting of 30 ml espresso and 200 ml whole milk (3.5% fat):

Nutritional value of a glass of drink:

calorie content 94 kcal;
fats 2.4 g;
carbohydrates 7.6 g;
protein 5.4 g;

Compared to other types of coffee, latte macchiato contains significantly more calories, especially with added sugar, vanilla syrup or chocolate chips.

To avoid adding extra calories, drink latte macchiato in moderation and without sweeteners.

In Italy you will find the following varieties of coffee with milk:

Latte macchiato: served in tall glass glasses with a little coffee (added later) or better yet with coffee, milk and foam (no bubbles).

Caffelatte: Served in glass glasses, however these contain more coffee and less milk and usually have little or no foam.

Capuchino: long coffee, milk and milk foam, served in a medium ceramic cup (or small glass cup) with a capacity of about 150 cc.

Macchiatone: coffee and a little milk with milk foam, served in a cup similar to a cappuccino but smaller.

Caffe macchiato: This is coffee with a little milk, but in this case it can be a cold macchiato (without foam), a hot macchiato (with foam), a hot macchiato without foam, in short, many confusing variations.

With added syrup

Nut, caramel, cinnamon, chocolate and many other flavors go well with latte macchiato. Different syrups change the taste of coffee every time and make it feel like a completely new drink. Such aromatic and sweet coffee can be considered a full-fledged dessert. For example, a luxurious raspberry latte macchiato with a light rosemary aroma.

What ingredients will you need?

150 ml cold milk;
150 ml raspberry jam;
2 tsp. rosemary syrup;
1 capsule of coffee.

Step-by-step cooking process

Place a thin layer of raspberry jam into a glass.
Next, you need to heat the milk and prepare milk foam using the steam nozzle of the coffee machine or a frother.
Then gently mix the rosemary syrup with the milk foam.
After this, you need to pour the milk foam into a glass, and then add a little hot milk.
Next, you need to prepare the espresso and pour it in a very thin stream into the milk foam.

Makiaton: what is it and how to prepare it

Different from a macchiato, but shorter than a cappuccino: the missing link between the two favorite Italian coffee drinks is called "macchiatone" and originated in the Veneto between the 80s and 90s. Let's find out what it is, how to prepare it and how many calories are in machiathon.

Macchiatone: what are we talking about

Among milk foam and coffee based drinks, it is probably one of the least known, at least in most of Italy: the macchiatone is a variant of the originally local cappuccino that has spread over time and can now be ordered almost anywhere in the country.

Of course, it's not as widely available as other drinks, and there's a risk that the bartender will be surprised and need further explanation depending on the bar you order it from, but it's easy to make with a few steps.

So what is machiathon?

A macchiato is a drink made from coffee and frothed milk and is something between a macchiato and a cappuccino, so much so that it can be defined as a short cappuccino or a macchiato with more milk. It's actually espresso served in a cappuccino cup with a lot of foam added: the result is a drink that contains the same amount of coffee as a macchiato, but with much more frothed milk, although less than a cappuccino.

Why choose machiathon: calorie content

So, if it's something like a cappuccino, why not order a classic? Simple: because of the calories. Thanks to less cream, a macchiathon contains less than half the calories of a cappuccino (about 35 versus 100/120 calories in a cappuccino) and is therefore a great choice if you're on a diet but don't want to give up your favorite breakfast drink.

Properties and Features

Macchiato can be distinguished by several features. When prepared correctly, it will separate into 3 parts: milk will be in the bottom, espresso will occupy the middle, and foam will rise to the top. In this case, macchiato will not have clear boundaries - all colors are mixed and blurred upon contact.

Interestingly, the taste of espresso macchiato can be conveyed in different ways. This depends on the proportional features of cocktail preparation adopted in certain countries or coffee shops.

Australian baristas prepare coffee based on 1 to 1 proportions. Its taste is distinguished by its delicateness.
In Europe, it is customary to brew macchiato using 1 part espresso and 1.5 parts milk. This product is very tender and has a creamy taste.
In Italy, this coffee is most often prepared from a double portion of espresso and 1 part milk. This recipe allows you to increase the strength.

But all of the countries listed follow the method of preparing this coffee cocktail, which is why it has a three-layer structure.

Classic latte recipe

Prepare a standard shot of classic espresso;
Whisk 150-170 ml of milk in a pitcher using steam. At the same time, latte foam should be more fluffy and airy than cappuccino foam;
Pour the frothed milk into a glass, then slowly pour the espresso into it in a thin stream.

If the whole procedure is carried out carefully, the layers of coffee and milk will not mix and you will get a delicious layered coffee cocktail. It is sometimes also called latte macchiato (also pronounced latte macchiato, latte macchiato, etc.). If the frothed milk is at the right consistency and the espresso is at the right temperature, the layers should separate clearly. It is the clear separation of the three layers that is considered the first indicator of the quality of a latte macchiato. If you do not have enough experience or do not have professional utensils and accessories to separate layers of foam, milk and espresso, you can use a spoon.

What other types of macchiato are there?

Although there are only two basic recipes for macchiato, there are many variations in the preparation of this drink in the world, which arise by changing the temperature, quantity and quality of the main ingredients, as well as by adding additional products. We will give as an example several of the most famous varieties of macchiato.

Macchiato with syrup - usually prepared on the basis of latte macchiato, but instead of sugar (or together with it), the barista uses syrup. The drink turns out sweeter and has additional flavor shades. The most popular version is with caramel syrup.

Ice Latte or warm cocktail

What is preferable - hot or iced latte? Firstly, such a choice is not for everybody. And the second reason that will lead you to such a choice is the time of year. If in cold weather you want to warm up with a hot Latte, then in the hot summer there is an irresistible desire to cheer up and refresh yourself.

And then, if you are a connoisseur of coffee and coffee cocktails, we recommend quenching your thirst with a cold latte. You can often even get an ice-cold Latte . These drinks already have a completely different aftertaste and even aroma.

Unlike a hot latte, the cold version will perfectly quench your thirst. Ice latte ingredients are mixed cold. Obviously, this method of preparation gave the cocktail its name.

Ingredients

To make an iced latte in layers you will need:

100 g milk;
60 g espresso;
any syrup (except citrus) approximately 10 g;
optional ice - 6-8 cubes.

Difference from cappuccino

Both cocktails are based on strong espresso. However, a latte macchiato is different from a cappuccino.

When making cappuccino, milk is added to the coffee, and not the other way around.
The composition of latte macchiato is characterized by a large amount of milk.
Latte macchiato is prepared in layers that are clearly visible.
Cappuccino is served in special cups made of thick glass. Irish glasses are provided for serving latte.

In addition, these cocktails differ in the time of consumption. Macchiato is best drunk after lunch. Cappuccino is more suitable for drinking in the morning. But such a difference can be called unprincipled.

Coffee grind level

In the store you can purchase already ground beans with the desired degree of grinding. However, real coffee lovers purchase only beans and grind them immediately before brewing: this is the only way to get a truly tasty and rich drink.

The exact grind needed depends on the recipe and type of coffee maker. Typically a medium to coarse grind is required. The average is considered universal. To get it, you need to grind the beans in a coffee grinder for 10-13 seconds, if you need coarse beans - no more than 10 seconds. With medium grinding, coffee grains become approximately the same size as sugar grains: they do not clog filters and provide high saturation. Coarse particles reach a size of 0.8 mm. Of course, they contribute even less to filter clogging, but when they are brewed, both taste and aroma are lost: the drink turns out weak and not expressed.

Contraindications to drinking this coffee

When drinking the cocktail, people suffering from hypertension and heart disease, as well as those who have hypersensitivity to the ingredients included in the drink, should be careful.

It is also not recommended for children to drink. It is also dangerous to drink the drink at night, as it contains a large amount of caffeine.

Summarize

Cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos are prepared differently, giving them a unique taste and texture.
Since each of these drinks contains a different set of ingredients, they also differ in terms of caffeine content and nutritional value.
Therefore, whatever drink you decide to order next time in a cafe, it all depends on your personal taste and preferences.

The article was prepared by experts for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a guide for treating medical conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of illness or any symptoms, you should always consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Tags: Cappuccino, Coffee, Latte, Macchiato

About the author: Alexander Fedorov

Candidate of Biological Sciences, biologist, nutrition expert. Graduated from Stavropol State University with a degree in Biology at the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry.

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