What is Macchiato?
A macchiato, by definition, is a coffee beverage with just a dash of milk. It is usually prepared with espresso and has two variations: Espresso Macchiato and Latte Macchiato.
Texture and Taste of Macchiato
The taste of macchiato is somewhere between espresso and cappuccino, but is stronger than cappuccino because of the little amount of milk. It is an afternoon coffee. There are two variations: espresso & latte, with the former being the original Italian drink and the latter being a later innovation. The latte version is sweeter with a higher milk volume and because of added caramel syrup.
How much caffeine is in a single serving of Macchiato?
With espresso as its base, the amount of caffeine in 30mg of espresso is approximately 63mg. However, one should remember that the amount of caffeine is defined by the kind & weight of coffee, water volume, brewing method and brewing time.
How to Make the Macchiato?
For espresso macchiato, pull an espresso shot using your coffee machine or manually if you don’t have a machine. Preheat the cup or coffee mug and pour the espresso in it. Add a little bit of steamed milk (1-2 teaspoons). For latte macchiato, use your coffee machine’s frother to steam 5-6 oz of milk, pour it into a preheated cup. Add one espresso shot to it at a very slow speed, then add milk foam on top and if you want you can add vanilla syrup (1tablespoon) and caramel sauce.
Types of Coffee Makers
Percolators, drip machines, AeroPress, handheld/stovetop espresso maker, French press, automatic espresso machines, can all be used for preparing espresso whereas steamed milk can be prepared using a microwave. You can also buy a good versatile coffee machine as mentioned above and make any coffee beverage with a single click.
Pros and Cons of Macchiato
Let us look at some Pros & Cons of Macchiato
Pros
- The drink has two variations and you can enjoy the one you prefer.
- Reasonable coffee consumption protects your heart from strokes.
- The preparation is simple and affordable.
- Milk is the best energy drink.
- Macchiato can turn your lazy afternoons into an active one.
- Added syrups such as vanilla and caramel make the taste exotic.
Cons
- Excessive consumption of coffee can lead to anxiety.
- Regular consumption of coffee before bedtime can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia.
- The caramel and vanilla versions are high in sugar.
- Excessive coffee consumption can also disturb your digestive system.
Macchiato vs Mocha
Take any espresso milk beverage and add hot chocolate to it, you have mocha. Some add chocolate syrup instead of hot chocolate. Usually, mocha is prepared in latte. Don’t confuse the mocha latte with coffee brewed from mocha beans.
Benefits of Having Macchiato
The espresso macchiato is for those who want the taste of coffee to dominate rather than milk, while latte macchiato is for those who are on the sweeter side and prefer more milk. Both the coffee drinks are good for health when consumed in reasonable volume. Both offer health benefits such as cancer prevention and protection for your heart. They are both simple to prepare and use readily available ingredients. You can experiment by adding different flavors to latte macchiato, such as vanilla, hazelnut, blueberry, chocolate, caramel, etc. and serve them to your friends and family.