What Is A Macchiato And Various Types Of It?

What is a Macchiato? A macchiato is espresso coffee that has a small amount of hot milk or milk foam “marked” on it. Discover more about the famous espresso drink macchiato and learn how to make the best one at home.

What Is A Macchiato?

A macchiato is an espresso drink stained or marked with a small amount of steamed milk or milk foam. It usually takes about 3 to 4 ounces to make the whole drink. The most important thing about a macchiato is how well the strong coffee flavor of the espresso is balanced with the light flavor of the warm milk. People who like the strong taste of espresso and a bit of creaminess often choose this drink.

2 Types Of Macchiatos

There are two main kinds of macchiato. Even though the drinks have the same ingredients, they taste different because of how they were made.

Espresso Macchiato

A shot of espresso is poured into a small cup, sometimes called a demitasse cup. Then, the same amount of milk foam is put on the espresso. As a result, the coffee tastes strong with a hint of milkiness. This guide will mostly be about making an espresso macchiato because it is the most classic drink.

Latte Macchiato

There is more milk in a latte macchiato than in an espresso macchiato. Most of the time, six ounces of warmed milk is mixed with one or two shots of espresso to make a latte macchiato. So, the milk is at the bottom, there is a shot of espresso in the middle, and there is a small amount of milk foam on top.

Instructions On How To Use An Espresso Machine To Create An Espresso Macchiato

Follow these steps to make your espresso macchiato at home, and you can enjoy it whenever you want.

Get The Coffee Shot

Choose your coffee and grind it until it’s very fine. Then, tamp it into the portafilter basket. You can start making the shot after putting the portafilter into the espresso machine.

Steam The Milk

While the espresso shot is pulling, make a few ounces of milk steam in your heating pitcher. There shouldn’t be too much warm milk or milk foam because they detract from the espresso’s taste.

Pour The Macchiato

Once the milk and espresso are both ready, add a little steamed milk to the top of the espresso. The milk should “mark” or “stain” the espresso, adding a light sweetness that doesn’t take away from the taste of the coffee.

How To Make A Macchiato Without An Espresso Machine?

It was already said that you don’t need an espresso machine to make a macchiato. It will taste like a macchiato from a coffee shop, but not exactly. It will still be tasty, though.

Make The Espresso

Need a coffee machine? It’s not a problem. You can make strong coffee that tastes similar to regular espresso using a French press, an Aeropress, or a Moka pot. Just make sure to use the right amount of coffee to water (2:1), which is how espresso is usually made.

Heat The Milk

You don’t need an espresso machine to steam milk. You can use a milk frothing pitcher, an electric whisk, or even a French press cup to make hot foamed milk.

Before you use a French press or an electric whisk, you should warm about 3 ounces of milk in a pot on the stove to about 140F. If you warm the milk up before foaming it, you’ll get silky microfoam. To get enough foam for your macchiato, you’ll need to foam the hot milk briefly.

Pour The Macchiato

When your warmed milk and strong coffee are ready, put some coffee in a small cup and add some milk on top. Serve and have fun!

What Kind Of Milk Makes The Best Macchiato?

Which milk you use in an espresso macchiato depends on your taste and food needs. Some types of milk, both dairy and non-dairy, work better than others.

Whole Milk

Baristas like whole milk from a nearby farm because it is naturally sweet and creamy. Whole milk has more fat than skim milk, which gives it a rich taste and helps balance out how strong the espresso is. It goes well with the coffee and provides a macchiato with an excellent, smooth taste.

Oat Milk

Oat milk is an excellent choice for people who don’t want to drink milk. Some oat milk brands make “barista series” versions that are specially made to foam well and stay stable in drinks made with espresso.

Conclusion

Remember that good ingredients, the right way to brew, and the right mix between espresso and milk are all essential to making a fantastic espresso macchiato. It might take some practice, but after some time, you can make a delicious espresso macchiato that tastes just the way you like it. We hope you enjoy making this great espresso drink that fits in your pocket.

FAQ

Are Macchiatos Good For You?

Because they have more milk, lattes have more protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, and vitamin D than macchiatos.

Why Do Macchiatos Taste The Way They Do?

The macchiato is a tasty drink with just enough rich espresso flavor and creamy milk.

What Makes People Drink Macchiato?

Mostly, a Macchiato is just espresso with a splash of foamy milk. The right amount of milk is added to make the coffee lighter and break through the smooth top of the crema.

What Does It Call Itself?

The word “macchiato” comes from the fact that baristas had to show waiters the difference between an espresso shot and an espresso with a bit of milk added to it.