A macchiato coffee is an espresso with rich and bold flavors paired with a small amount of microfoam milk on top. Unlike a latte or cappuccino that contains a large amount of steamed milk, this brew celebrates the dark, smooth espresso with rich and bold flavors and elevates it with a dash of creaminess.
In this article, you'll learn about the origins and flavor profile of macchiato coffee, as well as how to make the perfect brew.
What Does Macchiato Coffee Taste Like?
The macchiato is rich, bold, and balanced. It's mostly made of espresso coffee, so you can expect strong, dark flavors. However, the small amount of steamed milk adds a subtle sweetness and creamy notes.
The milk is steamed to create a fine microfoam that adds a velvety texture to the brew. Although only a dash is used, it balances out the intense, dark flavors of the strong arabica espresso crafted from premium coffee beans.
If you find plain espresso slightly too bitter for your palate but enjoy the strong caffeine hit, the macchiato is a good option.
The Origins of Macchiato Coffee
The macchiato was likely created in the 1980s somewhere in Italy. In English, the name means "stained," and it refers to how the espresso is lightly marked with a dash of milk.
Traditionally, the macchiato was created for people who want the intensity of an espresso with just a touch of dairy to soften its bitter edge. Other variations exist, including the "latte macchiato," made by gently pouring an espresso shot over a larger amount of steamed milk.
Other cultures have coffees similar to the macchiato. For example, the Portuguese drink café pintado, which translates to “coffee with a drop”— referring to the small dash of milk that's added to the espresso.
What Do You Need to Make a Macchiato
Macchiato is incredibly simple to make. It's made with espresso and a small amount of steamed milk. However, although you don’t need much in the way of ingredients, you will need some equipment — including an espresso machine with a steam wand.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- Arabica coffee
- Whole milk
- Water
- Sugar (optional)
Equipment
- Espresso machine with steam wand
- Coffee grinder (if using whole beans)
- Demitasse cup
- Steaming pitcher
Coffee Recommendations
To make a traditional macchiato, you should use a dark roast arabica coffee. Arabica produces a naturally sweet, rich, smooth espresso shot.
For a traditional Italian macchiato, we recommend a 100% arabica coffee such as the Cafely DaLat. Freshly ground whole beans produce the most complex flavors, but our pre-ground coffee is the next best option.
If you prefer a darker, stronger macchiato, a robusta and arabica blend is the best way to go. Our DaNang Coffee balances the sweet, smooth, mellow flavor of arabica with the dark, bitter nuttiness of robusta.
How to Make a Macchiato Coffee: Step-by-Step
Macchiato is simple to make. Provided you use quality coffee and milk, it’s difficult to mess up a macchiato.
Here’s how to make the perfect macchiato coffee in five simple steps:
1. Measure and Grind the Coffee
First, you'll need to measure and grind the arabica coffee for the espresso shot. You'll need to grind enough coffee to fill the portafilter on your espresso machine.
Grind the coffee finely to a consistency similar to table salt.
2. Prepare the Espresso Machine
Prepare the espresso machine by turning it on and warming it up. Most machines only take 10 to 20 seconds to warm through.
Full up the reservoir with cold, filtered water. Avoid using water directly from the tap, hard where it can cause limescale and damage your machine over time. Hard water can also taint the taste of your espresso.
3. Brew a Shot of Espresso
Fill the portafilter with coffee and gently tamp. Clip the portafilter into the machine and brew a shot of espresso into a demitasse cup. Aim for a rich, dark brew with a light, creamy crema.
If you want to sweeten the brew, stir a small amount of ground sugar into the espresso.
4. Steam the Milk
Pour a small amount of milk (one or two tablespoons) into a steam pitcher and gently steam using the wand on your espresso machine. You want to create a fine, velvety microfoam that will sit on top of the brew.
5. Assemble the Brew
Gently spoon the microfoam milk on top of the espresso. You want a black espresso with a fine foam on top, so avoid adding any unfrosted milk from the bottom of the pitcher.
FAQs: Macchiato Coffee and Other Espresso-Based Drinks
Want to learn more about Macchiato coffee and other espresso-based coffees?
The answers to the frequently asked questions below will provide more insight:
1. What Is the Difference Between a Macchiato and a Cappuccino?
Although macchiato and cappuccino are both espresso-based drinks that contain steamed milk, they are slightly different. Macchiato contains a small amount of steamed milk whereas cappuccino contains equal parts espresso and steamed milk.
2. How Much Caffeine in a Macchiato?
A macchiato typically contains 63 to 75 mg of caffeine per shot of espresso used. A double macchiato contains 66 to 150 mg of caffeine.
3. What Does “Macchiato” Mean in Italian?
Macchiato means “strained,” referring to how the espresso is lightly marked with a dash of steamed milk.
4. What Is a Latte?
A latte, short for caffe latte, is an espresso-based coffee that’s made with a single shot of espresso and a large portion of steamed milk. It has a small amount of microfoam on the surface of the brew.
5. What is a Flat White?
A flat white is an espresso-based coffee that’s made with a single or double shot of espresso and steamed milk. It has a thin layer of microfoamed milk on top and a fine, velvety texture.
6. What Is the Difference Between a Cortado and a Macchiato?
A cortado contains an equal balance of espresso and warm milk at a 1:1 ratio. The milk is seamed but not frothy. Macchiato is a similar brew, but it contains only a dash of steamed milk.
7. What’s the Difference Between an Espresso and Ristretto?
Espresso and ristretto are both concentrated coffees made by pushing pressurized water through finely ground coffee. Ristretto is a stronger, shorter version of espresso. It uses the same amount of coffee but around 20 mL less water.
8. Can I Make a Vegan Macchiato?
Yes. You can make a vegan macchiato by replacing whole milk with a high-fat plant-based alternative such as oat or coconut milk.
9. Can I Add Sugar to a Macchiato?
Yes. You can add sugar to a macchiato to sweeten it. Simply add sugar once you've made the brew or to the espresso shot before adding milk.
10. Can I Make an Iced Macchiato?
Yes. You can make an iced macchiato by chilling an espresso shot, frothing cold whole milk, combining, and pouring over ice. Iced macchiato is similar to a regular iced coffee but doesn't contain as much milk.
