Confused about the differences between Latte Machiatos, Macchiatos, Cafe Macchiatos, Cpaauccinos and Cafe Lattes?
Although they are all very similar, we are going to explore the subtle nuances that separate them into distinct espresso based beverages and share their distinct recipes and an iced variation.
Latte macchiato is the means of preparing a coffee drink that is mostly milk with a hint of espresso and it directly translates as stained milk as it is made by “staining” the milk with espresso.
It is distinctly different from a cafe latte because in a latte macchiato, espresso is added to milk and in a caffe latte, milk is added to espresso. Latte macchiato also has much more foam and only has around a half or even less of the espresso proportion.
Also, latte macchiato is a layered drink which means you can see and observe the divisions of the ingredients rather than the usual homogenous mixture of a latte.
Cafe macchiato or simply macchiato is the same concept as the latte macchiato. However, cafe macchiato includes other ingredients such as cocoa.
It may be misinterpreted as a cappuccino but even if they have similar ingredients, the macchiatos have a stronger and more aromatic taste.
Latte macchiato is favored by those who do not want the usual strength of espresso and by coffee chains who specialize in the over roasting poor quality beans as a way to hide ill flavors.
Because it is composed mostly of milk, the usual acidity, strength and bitterness of (of ill prepared) coffee drinks are dissipated and is being neutralized by the sweetness and gentleness of milk.
Basic Macchiato
You may want to consider making homemade espresso and latte macchiatos because it’s not only cheaper but they are real easy to make and usually a whole lot better then the ones found at the popular coffee chains.
The preparation time for this coffee beverage recipe is just 7-8 minutess. The ingredients include one to two shots of espresso and a dollop of foamed milk that has the texture of a melted ice cream.
The frothed milk is easy to make on good home espresso machines or one can buy a separate milk frother.
First, take a macchiato cup or any small cup around four fluid ounces.
Next, pour in the steamed and frothed milk into the cup. Then, prepare the espresso shots and add them to the steamed milk.
Finally serve the concoction immediately and enjoy.
Ice Cafe Macchiato
The ingredients needed for a homemade iced macchiato include one cup of ice (or around five large ice cubes), one cup of milk, two tablespoons extract, one half cup of espresso and two table spoons of caramel sauce.
You will also need one cup of sugar, one fourth cup of water and one teaspoon of vanilla for the flavoring.
First, add the cup of ice cubes into a tall glass container. Next, add the cup of milk to the top of the ice. Then add one fourth of a teaspoon of vanilla extract plus two to three small packs of sugar or other sweeteners.
Mix them with milk and ice. After which, add the espresso by using a large spoon to slow down the espresso pour by holding it upside down over the milk and then pouring the espresso slowly and gently over the spoon so as not to mix the espresso with the milk
