You are in a coffee shop waiting to order your caffeinated cup of deliciousness.
While standing in line, you notice on the menu a variety of appealing-sounding coffees.
While studying the names of all the different espresso-based drinks available— you see one called a Macchiato and take a moment to try and guess what it could be.
I completely get it – a coffee menu can be quite ridiculous sometimes.
Gone are the days when a coffee was either black or white.
I’ve been in situations where I feel like I should know what the coffee is and literally have no idea and I’m a self confessed coffee snob.
So let me define what a macchiato actually is and the other variations of this mystical coffee drink.
What Is A Macchiato?
‘Macchiato,’ as most of the terminology surrounding espresso drinks, is an Italian word, meaning “marked,” “spotted,” or “stained.”
Macchiato as a drink gets its name from the fact that it resembles espresso that has been “stained” with milk.
To put it simply, a Macchiato is an espresso with a splash of foamy milk.
The quantity of milk added is just enough to lighten the colour of the coffee and pierce the smooth surface of the crema.
For people who find espresso too bitter but Cappuccino too weak, a macchiato is ideal.
It’ll give you something right in the middle.
It’s not as strong as an espresso shot, but it’s certainly more powerful than a regular Cappuccino.
Hence, if you prefer a little creaminess in your coffee, a Macchiato is an excellent alternative to espresso.
Origin Of Macchiato?
The time of day has everything to do with the origin of a Macchiato.
Most Italians used to drink a cappuccino in the morning to wake up and give them a boost for the day ahead.
They believe milky frothy drinks are only for breakfast.
By the afternoon, people’s energy levels would dwindle, but they didn’t like the idea of a full-on espresso shot.
Actually, Italians were looking for an afternoon caffeine beverage.
Those people prefer a traditional Macchiato.
This coffee drink gave them enough energy to get them through the rest of the day while also reducing the bitterness to make it enjoyable.
Unlike the cappuccino, which was intended specifically for that morning coffee, the Macchiato was ideal for the afternoon.
It is also believed that Macchiato has been created in order to distinguish between a coffee with only a touch of milk and a basic espresso.
This was done by baristas in Italy who wanted to teach the waitstaff which coffee was an espresso and which coffee included milk.
They distinguished it by using only a “spot” of milk.
What Are The Types Of Macchiato?
There are various types of Macchiato, but the two most common are:
Espresso Macchiato
Latte Macchiato
What Is An Espresso Macchiato?
The Espresso Macchiato, also known as a caffè macchiato in Italy, is the drink’s original form.
The Espresso Macchiato has the greatest espresso-to-milk ratio, and the milk is supposed to complement the espresso, so it can still be experienced strongly.
This drink is made by first pulling a normal shot of espresso.
The Caramel Macchiato is commonly a caramel-flavoured caffe macchiato.
It is made with milk, vanilla syrup and topped with espresso and caramel sauce.
The name of the Caramel Macchiato is fairly misleading because it contains more vanilla flavor than caramel, with the caramel simply being more aesthetically visible because it lies on top.
Caramel Macchiato is usually a really sweet coffee drink that’s good for people who don’t drink coffee too often. It can be served both hot or cold.
Depending on where the drink is created, this drink can be one of two things.
It might be a large, hot milky drink with a little coffee flavor and caramel syrup on top
A small, sweet, concentrated coffee drink around the size of a shot of espresso
What Is In a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato?
Starbucks has its own version of the Espresso Macchiato, which originated in Italy.
In a Starbucks Macchiato, a couple of espresso shots are paired with freshly steamed milk and vanilla-flavoured syrup, topped with a caramel drizzle.
On the first sip, you’ll notice a strong espresso flavour, and then the vanilla flavour, creamy milk, and a caramel drizzle to round out the flavours.
What Is An Iced Macchiato?
An Iced Macchiato is made by putting whole milk into a glass, topping it with ice, and then pouring two shots of espresso on top.
Between the milk and the coffee, this will create a cool marble appearance.
You might be wondering if Iced Latte and Iced Macchiato are the same, right?
Well, this is not true.
The types of milk used in both are different.
The Iced Macchiato has an extra shot of espresso, and the iced coffees are layered differently, giving a totally different sipping experience.
Is A Macchiato Stronger Than Coffee?
A Macchiato is a double shot of espresso with a dollop of foamy milk.
So, it is the same strength in terms of caffeine than most other coffees.
It will taste stronger than, for instance, a Flat White that also has a double shot of espresso but diluted down with steamed milk.
Are You Supposed To Stir A Macchiato?
It’s at your discretion.
I usually like to swirl and sip, I find that this incorporates the milk quite well and gives you a nice balance of milk and coffee.
Which Is Sweeter Macchiato Or Latte?
A Latte will taste sweeter.
This is because the bitter tasting coffee is diluted with milk more so that a Macchiato.
Why is a Macchiato Not Mixed?
A macchiato is not mixed because it is meant to showcase the layering of the different elements of the drink.
A traditional macchiato is made with a shot of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, which is then “marked” or “stained” with a dollop of foam on top.
The layering of the espresso and milk allows the drinker to taste the different components separately and enjoy the contrast in flavors and textures.
Is Macchiato Bitter or Sweet?
A macchiato is generally considered to be a stronger and more intense drink than a latte because it is made with a shot of espresso.
Espresso is known for its bold and robust flavor, which can be described as bitter or dark.
The small amount of steamed milk and foam that is added to a macchiato helps to balance out the bitterness of the espresso and create a more nuanced and complex flavor profile.
Some people may find a macchiato to be a bit sweeter because of the added milk and foam, but the dominant taste is still the espresso.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world, the sheer amount of alternatives and mash-up of names on a coffee menu might boggle your mind and confuse your taste buds.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a coffee expert to learn about the various types of espresso coffee available.
For those who don’t want the full power of acidic, rich espresso or the rich sweetness and creaminess of a Cappuccino or Latte, a Macchiato is a great alternative.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with information on the Macchiato, its origin, and types that you didn’t know before.
Give it a shot; you never know; it might just become your new favourite coffee beverage!
2 Comments
When a macchiato is not a macchiato…. I ordered a macchiato once when I was in America and I was served a drink in a large cup with lots of milk. When I queried it, the barista said that was a macchiato. When I said I had expected a caffè macchiato, he didn’t know what that was and thought I wanted a latte or cappuccino. Eventually, after some explanation, I understood I had to order it as an espresso macchiato. Not a name often used in GB. But that’s the joyvof travelling.
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What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
COFFEEQUIZ25 will give you 25% off your first box 😊
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Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
COFFEEQUIZ25 will give you 25% off your first box 😊
Discover the UK’s finest speciality coffees, curated by us – the coffee professionals. Each delivery is completely different so you sample two new coffees, roasters and flavours in every box.
Ethically sourced, world-class coffee in compostable packaging – it doesn’t get better than this!
3 BOX PACKAGE – £19.50 per box
6 BOX PACKAGE – £17.99 per box – (Most Popular)
12 BOX PACKAGE – £17.50 per box – (Best Value)
Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
The Batch seasonal espresso blend is a great choice for home baristas seeking consistently and expertly roasted coffee beans.
These beans produce a well-balanced, full-bodied espresso that shines whether enjoyed black as an espresso or Americano, or when cutting through milk-based drinks with distinctive character.
Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
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When a macchiato is not a macchiato….
I ordered a macchiato once when I was in America and I was served a drink in a large cup with lots of milk. When I queried it, the barista said that was a macchiato. When I said I had expected a caffè macchiato, he didn’t know what that was and thought I wanted a latte or cappuccino. Eventually, after some explanation, I understood I had to order it as an espresso macchiato. Not a name often used in GB. But that’s the joyvof travelling.