A cup of macchiato promises coffee enjoyment worthy of Bella Italia. But what exactly is the difference between an espresso macchiato and a latte macchiato – and how do you prepare the two perfectly? Mamis Caffè tells you all about it.
The subtle difference between Espresso Macchiato and Latte Macchiato
Espresso Macchiato and Latte Macchiato may sound similar in name, but they are two different drinks. The Espresso Macchiato (also known as Macchiato for short) is a true Italian specialty. In this coffee version, the espresso is "stained" with milk (Macchiato) . What characterizes this drink is that the barista simply adds a little milk foam to the espresso. The Latte Macchiato, in contrast, consists of espresso and significantly more milk. In this version, the milk is "stained " by the espresso.
How do you make a latte macchiato?
The perfect latte macchiato is served in a glass, allowing you to see the color nuances of the espresso and milk. The hot drink consists of three layers: the milk at the very bottom of the glass, followed by the espresso in the middle, and the relatively thick and creamy milk foam at the very top.
How do you separate the layers? It's simple: When pouring espresso and milk foam, you need to be careful and follow the correct order.
- First pour the milk into the glass.
- Now add the milk foam.
- Finally, carefully pour the espresso through the milk foam.
Lots of milk – "stained" with espresso: A successful latte macchiato. © Mamis Caffè
Did you know?
The remaining layers of a latte macchiato are separated in the glass because the espresso is warmer than the milk. This causes the coffee to settle between the milk and foam.
How to prepare an espresso macchiato
Preparing an espresso macchiato doesn't require quite as much skill as a latte. To serve the perfect espresso macchiato, first froth the milk. Tip: The froth will be thicker and retain its consistency longer if you use milk with a high fat content .
You have to prepare the espresso maker separately. First, pour the espresso into the cup and garnish it with the milk foam.
The delicious hot drink is available in different variations:
- • Italians like to drink a doppio macchiato , which consists of twice the amount of espresso. This variation is also often served in a glass. An espresso macchiato tastes especially good when the cup is warm.
- • A cold macchiato is a delight, especially on warm summer days. It's prepared without foam. Instead, the espresso is simply mixed with slightly colder milk and called an Espresso Macchiato Freddo .
Water for more taste
Italians (and many Germans too) like to drink still water with their macchiato so they can fully appreciate the coffee's flavor. The water neutralizes the taste buds and enhances the full coffee experience.
The perfect espresso macchiato
To make your espresso macchiato at home taste as good as it does from professional Italian baristas, you should rely on high-quality espresso . The Gran Crema coffee from Mamis Caffè offers everything you need for a perfect coffee. The blend is made from 100% of the finest Brazilian Arabica beans. The taste of this exquisite Gran Crema is very harmonious and full-bodied, characterized by a pleasant chocolatey note . The crema is beautifully velvety.
Mamis Caffè Gran Crema is perfect for preparing a delicious macchiato. © Mamis Caffè