If you love an excellent cup of coffee, you’ve probably aware of “espresso macchiato.” which is another delicious espresso-based drink that has its origin in Italy.
Macchiato means “stained” or “marked” in Italian, referring to the small amount of milk added to espresso. A small amount of milk foam on top adds a slight sweetness to the strong espresso shot, and coffee drinkers who prefer a quick, flavorful coffee without the added calories and sweetness of a larger milk-based drink often enjoy the combination.
This blog post will explore espresso macchiatos and explain how to prepare one at home. We’ll also see how the Macchiato is different from other milk-based drinks like Latte or Cappuccino.
What Exactly is Macchiato?
A macchiato is a type of espresso beverage topped with a layer of Milk foam.
The Italian word macchiato, which means “marked,” may allude to the little “mark” of milk in an espresso macchiato.
In a typical macchiato, one part of frothed milk and two parts espresso are combined. In actual use, the precise coffee-to-milk ratio will vary depending on your neighborhood coffee shop or a certain barista.
Regional variations also come into play; a macchiato from an Italian coffee shop would taste different from one from an American coffee shop.
The drink can also be strengthened by adding another shot of espresso, or it can be made sweeter by sprinkling flavor syrup on top.
Macchiatos can be made at home by coffee users who have an espresso machine, allowing them to control the amount of milk they use precisely.
The macchiato is an espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk to allow the taste of the espresso to shine through still. A macchiato is perfect for those who find espresso too harsh in flavor, but a cappuccino needs to be stronger.
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Espresso Macchiato Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Espresso machine
- 1 Coffee grinder
- 1 Milk Frother
Ingredients
- 2 Shots Espresso
- 1 oz Milk
- Sweeteners or Syrups (Optional)
Instructions
- Brew a Double Espresso Shot: Measure out 14-18 grams of coffee grounds, tamp them evenly, and extract 2 ounces of liquid in 20-30 seconds for a balanced shot.If you don't have an Espresso machine, you can use a Moka pot or a French press to make espresso-like coffee.
- Froth the milk: Froth 1 oz of milk with the help of the steaming wand of your Espresso machine until the milk become completely aerated and bubbly.If your Espresso machine doesn't have the steaming wand you can buy a separate milk frother or you can froth the milk manually.
- Add the milk: Pour the frothed milk over the already prepared Espresso hot. You can pour the milk directly over the espresso or use a spoon to layer the milk on top gently.
- Add sugar or sweetener if desired, stir, and enjoy!
Notes
What’s the difference between an espresso macchiato and a latte?
The espresso macchiato and the latte macchiato are the two most popular yet different varieties of macchiatos.
In a macchiato, two shots of espresso are layered on top of a little bit of milk. The milk is usually not much and will have little impact on the espresso’s flavor.
In Macchiato, the espresso-to-milk ratio is usually 2:1, which means 1 ounce of frothed milk is added at the top of the doppio shot.
In contrast, a latte is made with a double shot of espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milk foam on top, the milk in a latte is much more prominent and contributes to the overall flavor and texture.
In Latte the espresso-to-milk and foam ratio is typically 1:3:1, which means 6 ounces of steamed milk and 2 ounces of milk foam are added at the top of the doppio shot.
While both drinks are made with espresso and milk, a macchiato has a stronger, more espresso-forward flavor, while a latte has a milder, creamier flavor.
Also Read: Macchiato vs Cortado
The Taste of Espresso Macchiato
Espresso macchiato has a rich, robust, intense flavor that is balanced by milk’s sweetness and creaminess. The modest amount of milk in the espresso reduces its powerful and bitter flavors.
Depending on whether the milk is steamed or frothed, the macchiato will have a slightly different flavor and consistency.
It’s a great choice for those who enjoy the taste of espresso but desire a little bit of milk to counteract it. The bitterness of the espresso is balanced by the sweetness of the milk, giving the coffee its overall bittersweet taste.
Final Thoughts on Espresso Macchiato
For those who like a powerful, rich espresso shot with just a hint of milk to balance the bitterness, it’s a perfect option.
We’ve shared a simplified recipe for making espresso macchiato at home in this post, which calls for fresh espresso and whisking hot or frothed milk into it. The outcome is a coffee beverage that is bittersweet, creamy, and delicious and is ideal for any time of day.
I personally love to drink Macchiato in the evenings as it gives me freshness after a long and hectic day.
Also, read the Recipe for other Espresso drinks
FAQs
Which Is Healthier, Macchiato Or Latte?
In lattes, more milk is used, which makes the drink full of calories and fats. However, macchiatos have substantially fewer calories, fat, and protein and simply have a splash of milk.
So we can say that Macchiato is healthier than Latte.
Read a guide on benefits of Espresso
How Much Calories In A Serving Of Espresso Macchiato?
The size of the serving and the type of milk used can affect how many calories are in an espresso macchiato.
A double espresso shot normally only has 5-6 calories, whereas an espresso macchiato only uses a limited amount of milk—usually just 1 oz. This means an espresso macchiato normally has between 20 – 25 calories per serving.
Adding sugar or flavoring syrups to your espresso macchiato will drastically raise the calorie count, so keep that in mind. Use a sugar-free sweetener or skip it altogether if you’re managing your calorie consumption.
