The three ingredients of coffee—foam, milk, and espresso—can be combined in several different ways to make drinks that most people will recognize as coffee.
The barista’s art lies in using the simplest ingredients to create perfection. It can be hard to keep track of all the different Italian and French names for coffee drinks if you are not a pro barista.
If you’re familiar with coffee, you probably know there are many different types of drinks that can be made from espresso. Today we’re going to discuss the macchiato (pronounced: mah-key-AH-toe).
History
According to popular belief, macchiato originated in Venice because of the cafe culture that has been around since the 18th century. In the past, espresso was served straight up without being sweetened. Instead of printing the names of different types of espresso on menus, baristas typically memorize the names and descriptions.
Coffee shops and chains have adapted the traditional Italian macchiato to spice up their menus and offer customers a wider range of drinks. Today, various varieties of this drink are available. For instance, a latte macchiato, which includes a much larger quantity of hot milk.
Italian vs American Macchiato
Many confuse a “Macchiato” served by Starbucks with the coffee served in Italy. This statement is both true and false. It depends on whether you look at its origin in Italy or its definition in the United States.
In Italian, “caffè macchiato” means “stained coffee” – baristas add milk foam to espresso to make it. Although Starbucks serves a beverage similar to a Macchiato, the drink is actually closer to the traditional American version.
How To Make a Macchiato?
The key to making it is getting the proportions right. As the name suggests, this drink should contain just a splash of milk added to pure espresso. Adding too much milk to espresso can make it taste like a latte or cappuccino. The goal is to add just a touch of sweetness while preserving the espresso’s bold flavor.
In most coffee shops, the barista pours espresso into a demitasse, then adds hot milk. Some coffee shops will foam the milk to create microfoam, while others will not.
Tips for Ordering a Macchiato
If you like your coffee strong and don’t want milk, order a caffè macchiato or an espresso macchiato—they’re the same thing. Or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, you can order a specific flavor or go for a latte macchiato.
If you’re concerned about allergies or intolerances, you can modify your order to accommodate them. You can also add an extra shot to your espresso for an extra jolt of energy. However, this is not the norm in Italy.
