What Is the Difference Between Macchiato, Cappuccino, and Latte?

Knowing the difference between the several coffee beverages on a caf menu by name might be difficult unless you are a competent barista or coffee lover. A macchiato doesn’t seem too unlike to a cappuccino, does it?

While the names seem to be based simply on fashion, there is a rich history behind coffee house drinks. They may seem identical at first appearance, but one taste will reveal the difference.

It’s no wonder that cappuccino makers, coffee makers, and Nespresso machines, to name a few, have proliferated in the market.

That being said, if you want to fulfill your curiosity, stay around as we compare the macchiato, cappuccino, and latte. You’ll be able to distinguish between them like an expert.

What Is a Cappuccino?

You’ve probably seen coffee aficionados enjoy cappuccinos at neighborhood coffee shops, just as you’ve seen a slew of individuals walk away with their espressos in hand. In contrast to other varieties of coffee beverages, which are black liquids with no other visually apparent qualities, the look of a cappuccino is the tell-tale.

Cappuccino, a traditional beverage famed for its milky foam foamy top, entices coffee art fans due to the milky foam that is frequently topped with the most complex swirly patterns. Cappuccinos with a light sprinkling of cinnamon or chocolate powder are also prevalent.

How Is Cappuccino Made?

To make a cappuccino, combine the following ingredients in equal parts.

• Steamed Milk
• Espresso
• Foamed Milk

In three phases, these components are poured into a cup.

• First, a thick shot of espresso is pounded and poured into the cup’s bottom.
• The heated milk is then added to the espresso.
• Finally, an airy and thick layer of foamed milk is layered on top of these two components, filling the cup to the brim.

The cappuccino’s contents are all the same size. Furthermore, the foamed milk and steam balance out the strong flavor of the espresso. Given that espresso is one of the components used to make a cappuccino, it comes as no surprise to a coffee connoisseur that the cappuccino originated in Italy.

Unlike the espresso after which it was named, the word cappuccino has nothing to do with coffee. It got its name from the Capuchin friars who lived in Italy starting in the 16th century. The tint of cappuccinos is similar to that of Capuchin robes.

What Is a Latte?

As a fun experiment, go to your neighborhood coffee shop and watch a barista make a cappuccino. Then watch them make a latte. You’ll observe that the barista uses the same components for both coffee drinks.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. You’re probably asking what the difference is between the two coffee beverages if they’re both created with milk foam, steamed milk, and espresso.

Lattes originated in Europe, where they remain popular, particularly in the mornings. A comparable beverage is the French caf au Lait. Lattes were popular in the United States in the mid-1900s.

Caf Latte, an Italian word that translates as milk coffee, is characterized by a velvety, smooth micro-foam.

The foam texture on lattes is make-or-break since it provides this popular and adored beverage its distinct appearance and feel in the mouth. It varies somewhat from a latte macchiato, which has a stronger espresso flavor.

The visual flare is another distinction between a macchiato and a latte. The art that is painstakingly swirled into the froth just at the top of a latte is well-known. However, if a beverage has a certain milk-to-coffee ratio, it might be considered a latte.

How Is Latte Made?

Lattes comprise the following ingredients:

• Up to 8 ounces of steamed milk
• A double shot of espresso
• 1cm thick layer of milk foam

While these are the same materials required to prepare a cappuccino, the amount of milk utilized differs. In lattes, the steamed milk to espresso ratio goes from one to three and one to nine.

In the United States and other nations across the world, ordering a latte gets you exactly what you want: a coffee beverage with a cup of steamed milk, up to two espresso shots, and a coating of milk froth on top.

However, while visiting Italy or other European nations, take in mind that a latte is known by many other names. In Italy, for example, you may request a latte macchiato, but a plain latte will simply offer you steamed milk. In France, though, you should order a Caf au Lait.

There’s no doubting that with less espresso and more milk, this diluted coffee drink is creamier. Some coffee users may infuse additional tastes and enjoy this beverage as a dessert. The eye-catching patterns created by baristas are one of the defining characteristics of latte.

They let their imaginations go wild and create spectacular drawings directly on the top of the latte amid the froth before serving a picture-perfect cup of coffee that not only makes you smile but also delights your taste senses.

What Is a Macchiato?

It has a deeper taste than other coffee drinks and is also known as an espresso macchiato or caf macchiato. A macchiato is a little amount of heated milk that has been filled with espresso. Instead of thinking in terms of percentages, imagine it as an espresso with a dash of milk. It’s no wonder, though, that the name macchiato means “spotted” in Italian.

The Portuguese call macchiato caf pingado, which translates to “coffee with a drop.” If you want highly flavored coffee, a macchiato will be just up your alley. Macchiato is sometimes served with foam on top.

Most of the time, though, it is a little micro-foam layer that enables the rich espresso taste to come through. The use of espresso beans in macchiato is required since it is the beverage’s main taste.

How Is Macchiato Made?

It should be noted that some coffee establishments offer a macchiato in place of a cappuccino. Furthermore, they describe a macchiato as a blended beverage enriched with a variety of tastes.

As a consequence, when attempting to order a certain beverage, this might be perplexing. As a result, we’ll break down a macchiato into its basic components.

A macchiato is a combination between a cappuccino and a pure espresso. It is produced by adding a tiny amount of foamed milk just at the top of the espresso.

While some baristas may add a dash of steamed milk, the most essential factor is that just a little quantity of milk is utilized.

Although an espresso macchiato, or caf macchiato, is just an espresso shot with a teaspoon of steaming milk added and topped with froth, a latte macchiato is made in the reverse manner.

It’s a shot of espresso put into a greater amount of heated milk. Some baristas may add flavored syrups to this variety of macchiato, such as caramel.

We suggest ordering an espresso macchiato if you want an espresso shot with a dash of steamed or foamed milk. If, on the other hand, you want a milkier beverage with a dash of flavor, a latte macchiato is exactly up your alley.

Macchiato vs Cappuccino vs Latte: Nutritional Value

These drinks include varying amounts of froth and milk, which greatly alters their nutritional characteristics. The additional sweeteners or sugar, as well as the kind of milk used, determine the nutritious content.

Keeping this in mind, a latte has the most milk. As a result, it has the highest protein, calorie, and fat content.

While a cappuccino has less milk, each drink contains a healthy amount of fat, calories, and protein. A macchiato has a splash of milk and hence contains much less protein, fat, and calories.

Macchiato vs. Cappuccino vs. Latte: Caffeine Content

Caffeine levels in all three coffee drinks are comparable per serving. A latte and a cappuccino, for example, are prepared with a shot of espresso and hence have the same caffeine amount.

A medium 475 mL (16 oz) cappuccino and the same amount of latte contain around 173mg of caffeine. A 60ml (2 ounce) macchiato, on the other hand, has half as much caffeine, with little more than 85mg per serving.

The Bottom Line

You may simply choose the beverage that tickles your fancy if you have the expertise to prepare the ideal gourmet coffee drink at home or get a cup at your neighborhood caf.

It all comes down to how strong you want the espresso flavor to be and how much milk you desire, taking into account that the texture, taste, caffeine level, and nutritional value of a macchiato, cappuccino, and latte varies.