What is a Macchiato? Finally Solving the Macchiato Mystery

September 19,2024

When you order a macchiato at a coffee chain, chances are you'll get a sugary, possibly caramel-y latte-esque beverage. But this is not the real macchiato. Read on, and we'll answer the pressing java question "What is a macchiato?," break down it's variations, and tell you how to order the real-deal..
The espresso macchiato, simply called a caffé macchiato in Italy, is the original form of this drink. In this case, the milk stains the espresso. The point of this drink is to have an espresso slightly moderated or subdued by a splash of milk. Compared to other espresso-based drinks, the macchiato tips the espresso to milk scale the furthest towards espresso. This drink is prepared by first pulling a shot of espresso, as normal. Then just a dash of steamed milk and a bit of foam are poured on top.