From Wikipedia - Reading time: 8 min
| Type | Hot |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Color | Shades of brown, white |
| Ingredients | Espresso, milk |
Caffè macchiato (Italian pronunciation: [kafˈfɛ makˈkjaːto] ⓘ), sometimes called espresso macchiato,[1][2] is an espresso coffee drink with a small amount of milk, usually foamed. In Italian, macchiato means "stained" or "spotted", so the literal translation of caffè macchiato is "stained coffee" or "marked coffee".
The origin of the name "macchiato" stems from baristas needing to show the serving waiters the difference between an espresso and an espresso with a tiny bit of milk in it; the latter was "marked". The idea is reflected in the Portuguese name for the drink: café pingado, meaning "coffee with a drop".[3]
The caffè macchiato has the highest ratio of espresso to milk of any drink made with those ingredients. The intent is that the milk moderates, rather than overwhelms, the taste of the coffee while adding a touch of sweetness. The drink is typically prepared by pouring a small amount of steamed milk directly into a single shot of espresso.[4] One recipe calls for 5–10 g (1–2 teaspoons) of milk heated to 60–66 °C (140–150 °F).[5]
In Australia the drink is referred to as a macchiato and has some variants.[6] A traditional long macchiato is usually a double shot of espresso with a dash of textured milk and most of the glass left empty. In Perth, a 'long mac topped up' is usually ordered, which is a double shot of espresso with the glass filled with textured milk. In Melbourne, it is a double-shot of espresso, a glass half-filled with water, and a dash of textured milk on top.[7]
Caffè macchiato as served at Kaldi's, Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia
Caffè macchiato as served at Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco, California
Caffè macchiato as served at Impresso Espresso Bar in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Caffè macchiato as served at Bradleys Coffee in South Wales, UK
Caffè macchiato as served in Papua New Guinea
Macchiato as served at Venice Grind in Mar Vista, Los Angeles, California
Double shot macchiato with a little foam, in glass, as served in Natick, Massachusetts