Macchiato is your everyday coffee. It’s creamy and a bit lighter in flavor than a cappuccino. Most people agree that the rich aroma and subtle flavor make them perfect for relaxing.
Macchiato and Cappuccino are two of the most common espresso-based coffee drinks you can order in cafes and coffee chains across the world.
While they both look essentially the same, the macchiato and cappuccino drinks have distinct tastes and textures. This article will discuss what a cappuccino and a macchiato are, and the differences between them, so that you can order the right drink the next time you’re at a coffee shop.
What Are The Differences Between Macchiato And Cappuccino?
Cappuccinos are made from espresso, which is a strong concentrated coffee drink. To create foamy milk that tastes sweet and creamy, milk is steamed after espresso is poured. The drink can also be topped with additional frothed milk for a fluffy look and richer taste that will give your morning a boost and satisfy your appetite through the morning hours.
Macchiatos are made from espresso and are served in a smaller cup (usually about 3 tablespoons) instead of a larger mug to fill up. The espresso is mixed with hot water to create a still coffee base that is usually shaken with a tad of sugar and sometimes topped with a swirl of milk foam on top.
What Else Should A Coffee Drinker Know About Macchiato?
Macchiato holds a special place in Italy, where it’s sometimes served as a middle-of-the-road option between cappuccino and espresso.
The drink’s name comes from an Italian word meaning “spotted” or “stained” that describes the milky foam that tops each sip of the drink.
Macchiatos are traditionally made with equal parts of espresso and water, but variations include mixing in steamed milk or pouring hot water into the espresso for a less concentrated drink.
When ordering one at your local coffee shop, don’t be alarmed if it’s served with less of the frothy milk that you may be used to, as it typically comes as a small cup and the water in the drink is what creates the foamy top.
Due to it’s status as a middle-of-the-road option between cappuccino and espresso, macchiatos are often more popular in parts of Italy like Milan and Rome.
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What Other Foods Are Paired With Macchiato?
Macchiato is often served with biscotti, pastries, or muffins, as it’s meant to be enjoyed as an afternoon treat.
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Cappuccino?
Cappuccino is the name of the drink made with steamed milk, but the name actually comes from the name of the curved cup that it’s served in.
Cappuccino is probably the most popular coffee drink in the Western world and was first created in Italy in the 1600’s.
Cappuccino’s foamy texture was hand-shaved using a special tool called a “latte” until 1950 when machines were invented to shave the milk foam for faster and more consistent results. Cappuccino is popular in Italy and in the West. Making cappuccino at home is fairly easy and tends to taste much better than buying from your local coffee shop.
What Other Foods Are Paired With Cappuccino?
Cappuccino is most commonly enjoyed with pastries of any variety, and is especially delicious when paired with chocolate croissants or danishes in a breakfast setting.
Some Trivia About Macchiato
- Macchiato is ordered by the cup and not by the pound like other drinks.
- Macchiato is popular in many parts of Italy, including Rome and Milan.
- Macchiato is popular with afternoon snacks or after-dinner desserts and is best paired with biscotti, pastries or muffins.
- Macchiato is typically served with a small cup of espresso and a small amount of warm milk that’s foamed and poured on top and blended with the espresso to create a foamy top.
Some Interesting Trivia About Cappuccino
- Cappuccino was created in Italy in the 1600’s and served in the same curved cups it’s served in today.
- It was popular in Italy and was introduced to other parts of the world in the early 1900’s by Italian immigrants.
- In Italy, it’s the most popular coffee drink and made by hand using milk that’s whipped and foamed in a process called “latte”.
Macchiato Vs Cappuccino: Which Is Better For Health?
While cappuccinos have more caffeine, it is easier to drink them slowly because they are served in larger mugs and with less coffee, while macchiatos are smaller in serving size and actually contain the same amount of coffee as cappuccinos.
So, the quicker way to top your caffeine intake would be with macchiatos than cappuccinos. The caffeine in coffee is also linked to helping boost your metabolism and fight off fatigue, but this may be more of a concern to those who are trying to lose weight than those who are staying healthy, as caffeine in high doses can actually cause heart problems and dehydration.
However, the caffeine in coffee does in fact benefit health when consumed in lower doses and has even been linked to reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.
What Type Of Coffee Is Used To Prepare Macchiato?
Espresso is the most common type of coffee used to brew macchiato, but it is also made with drip coffee or with cold brew coffee. Some coffee shops even offer macchiatos made with different types of milk like soy or almond.
What Type Of Coffee Is Used For Cappuccino?
Like most coffee drinks, cappuccino is made with espresso or with drip coffee. It is also made with canned espresso drinks or with cold brew coffee. Cappuccino is also often made with milk foam instead of foamed milk.
Some coffee shops also serve cappuccinos with sweetened condensed milk, which is a thicker type of milk that’s heated before it’s combined with espresso for a richer taste. The condensed milk is also heated to create a foamy texture that’s often added to the top for decoration and for taste. If you want to avoid this additive, you can opt for just regular milk instead.
To summarize, Cappuccinos are made with an espresso while Macchiatos can be made with espresso, drip coffee, cold brew coffee, or milk foam. Macchiatos use milk foam or steamed milk to create the frothed top on the drink. The milk can either be foamed or steamed, and most coffee shops serve macchiatos with frothed milk. Cappuccinos are typically made with espresso or with condensed milk and are topped with foamed milk.
