The frothing is generally extensive, yielding significant light, 'dry' foam, with a layer of liquid milk underneath, rather than the 'wet' microfoam used in latte art.Īlternatively, it may be prepared as a layered drink, with the espresso gently poured (most gently out of a small espresso brew pitcher, over the back of a spoon) so that it forms a layer between the denser liquid milk below and the lighter foam above. Its presence visually distinguishes the latte macchiato from a caffè latte, as in a caffè latte the espresso is added to the cup first before the milk is mixed in.Īnother similarly named beverage, caffè macchiato (also known as espresso macchiato), is actually a shot of espresso 'stained' with a small amount of milk.Ī latte macchiato may be prepared simply by frothing milk, generally producing generous foam, pouring it into a glass, and adding espresso. The macchia (Italian for 'spot') is the small stain of brown espresso foam, known as crèma, left on top of the milk showing where the espresso shot was poured. In a caffè latte, the emphasis is on the coffee, while in a latte macchiato, the emphasis is on the milk. Finally, a latte macchiato is often a 'layered' drink, rather than being mixed as in a caffè latte. A latte macchiato often uses only half an espresso shot or less.

Second, a latte macchiato features more foam rather than simply hot milk. First, in a latte macchiato, espresso is added to milk, rather than milk to espresso as in a caffè latte. Latte macchiato differs from caffè latte in several ways. It is a play on espresso macchiato, an older drink consisting of espresso marked with a dollop or two of milk or cream. The name is Italian for 'stained milk' or 'marked milk', referring to the way the drink is prepared by pouring a shot of espresso into steamed milk. Latte macchiato ( Italian pronunciation: ) is a coffee beverage. JSTOR ( July 2023) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī latte macchiato A glass of latte macchiato.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources.

Define macchiato coffee