Caffè Macchiato
Caffè macchiato
An espresso stained with a spoonful of milk foam, and nothing more.
The traditional Italian macchiato is a single espresso marked with a small spot of milk foam and served in a small cup. The milk takes the edge off without making it a milk drink, leaving dark chocolate, caramel and a bright citrus note.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 63 mg in one serving (2 oz (60 ml), single shot), a concentration of 105 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1 part espresso to a spoonful of foam |
| Base & finished drink | 18g → 26g |
| Grind size | Fine (espresso) |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 0:25-0:30 extraction |
| Serving | 2 oz (60 ml), single shot |
What you need
- 9 g freshly roasted coffee, ground fine for espresso
- About 30 to 40 ml whole milk, to be foamed
- Filtered water for the machine
Required gear
- Espresso machine with a steam wand
- Burr grinder with fine adjustment
- Portafilter with a double basket
- Tamper
- Scale accurate to 0.1 g
- Small milk jug
- Thermometer (optional)
- Warm cup or glass
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm a small cup of about 60 ml. Dose 9 g of ground coffee into a single basket and tamp flat and even.
- 0:20Pull a single shot into the cup: 9 g of coffee into about 18 g, in 25 to 30 seconds.
- 0:50Steam or froth a little milk to about 60 to 66°C until it holds a firm, smooth foam.
- 1:20Spoon one or two teaspoons (5 to 10 g) of the foam onto the middle of the crema. Serve at once.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
One shot has about 63 mg of caffeine, less than the roughly 95 mg in a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee.
A small drink with big flavor
Because there is so little milk, a macchiato tastes mostly of espresso, only softer. Drink it in a few sips while the foam is still on top.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
The traditional Italian macchiato is a single espresso marked with a small spot of milk foam and served in a small cup. The milk takes the edge off without making it a milk drink, leaving dark chocolate, caramel and a bright citrus note.
Origin & Story
Macchiato means stained or spotted, and the drink is exactly that: an espresso with a small mark of milk. A traditional caffè macchiato has the highest ratio of espresso to milk of any drink made from the two, just a teaspoon or two of milk, usually foamed.
It comes from Italy, where the idea is said to have started as a practical matter. A bar needed a way to tell a plain espresso from one with a touch of milk, and the spot of foam on top does that at a glance.
Do not confuse it with the drinks that borrowed its name. A latte macchiato is the reverse, a glass of steamed milk marked with espresso. The caramel macchiato of the coffee chains is a large, sweet milk drink, a long way from a small Italian cup.
In Australia the long macchiato follows the same idea on a bigger scale: a double shot of espresso with a dash of textured milk.
To make a traditional one, pull a single espresso, about 9 g of coffee into 18 g, into a small cup. Heat a little milk to around 60 to 66°C, spoon one or two teaspoons of the foam, and set it on top of the crema.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 40/100 |
| Acidity | 70/100 |
| Bitterness | 62/100 |
| Body | 78/100 |
| Aroma | 86/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Caffè Macchiato?
One serving, 2 oz (60 ml), single shot, contains approximately 63 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Caffè Macchiato?
Brew the base at 93°C (199°F). Where the milk is heated, 60–65°C is the target; past about 70°C it tastes scalded and loses its sweetness.
How long should Caffè Macchiato be extracted?
Timing: 0:25-0:30 extraction. Method: Espresso Machine. Ratio: 9g in, 18g out (1:2), plus a spoon of foam. Grind or leaf format: Fine (espresso).
Why does my Caffè Macchiato taste bitter?
In a milk drink, bitterness comes from the base (espresso pulled too long or tea steeped too long) or from scorched milk. Brew the base to the stated proportion, and if the milk is heated, stop at 60–65°C.
What is the difference between a macchiato and a latte macchiato?
A caffè macchiato is espresso marked with a little milk foam. A latte macchiato is the reverse: a glass of steamed milk marked with a shot of espresso.
Is a macchiato the same as a cortado?
No. A macchiato has only a spot of milk foam, while a cortado has about as much warm milk as espresso.
Who should avoid Caffè Macchiato?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Breville Bambino Plus Compact Espresso
In this recipe: Espresso machine with a steam wand
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