Italian espresso drink known as Latte Macchiato, which literally translates as “stained milk,” has gained great popularity worldwide. This caffeine-light beverage originally from Italy became widely popular among adults during the ’90s. It had previously been served to children, due to its low caffeine content. A giant glass of steaming milk combined with a jolt of espresso – what a fantastic way to show young ones the renowned European coffee customs!
If you’d like to have a cafe-style latte macchiato in the comfort of your own home, all you need are the correct components and accessories. You’ll be able to craft a creamy and delicious latte macchiato with ease!
A Little Clarification of Definition
The combination of coffee and milk enjoys unbroken popularity. While the core elements of coffee stay the same, the various forms demonstrate the local coffee culture.
In France, a popular morning beverage is a Cafe au lait, which is a mixture of coffee and milk. From Italy originate two drinks that are similar to the latte macchiato, the Caffè Latte, and the Caffè macchiato.
The Caffè Latte includes hot espresso and scalded milk only, while the Caffè Macchiato comprises of hot espresso, scalded milk and milk foam.
Austria, another country specializing in coffee in Europe, offers the Wiener Melange, a combination of German and French words which translates as Viennese blend.
In Spain, having a cup of Café con leche is commonplace; this is an espresso and milk drink, which is a combination of equal parts of each.
The method of consuming differs depending on the beverage – milk coffee is generally consumed from larger mugs or even dishes.
Ingredients for Latte Macchiato
A latte macchiato is an espresso-based drink that typically consists of a shot of hot espresso added to warm and foamed milk, making a total of 200 to 250 millilitres.
Milk
The firmer the foam is, the greater the fat and protein content of the milk. Also, fat acts as a flavoring intensifier, making the taste of espresso stronger when milk with a higher fat content is steamed. Milk has galactose, which is responsible for its nice taste and does not trigger insulin receptors much. Whole milk is advised for a latte macchiato, even if half-fat milk is still able to create a satisfactory foam.
In Italy, some of the milk is usually substituted with cream, leading to a luxuriously creamy foam.
Those who have lactose intolerance or a vegan lifestyle don’t have to miss out on the deliciousness of a latte Macchiato, as there are non-dairy alternatives to milk they can use. You can make a sweet latte macchiato without adding sugar using lactose-free or vegan milk, which can be frothed.
The lactase enzyme in the intestine breaks down the disaccharide lactose found in whole milk into the two sugars galactose and glucose. People who lack this enzyme suffer from lactose intolerance. Lactose-free milk has lactase added to it, so that the lactose is broken down before it is drunk. Galactose and glucose together taste sweeter than lactose. The sweetness of lactose-free milk is due to its lack of sugar, not because of any that are added.
Try out different vegetable and nut milks to find the one you like best. It is problematic to make a lasting foam with milk alternatives that are usually low in fat. Although rice or almond milk may have a nice flavor to add to coffee because of its natural sweetness, it is difficult to froth. The high protein content of soy milk means it is the best choice for creating foam, however, it could separate and form a clump when combined with coffee or espresso. A higher fat content in the soy milk or a less acidic coffee or espresso can help to decrease flaking. Additionally, it is feasible to combine soy milk with either rice or almond milk.
Baristas incorporate oat milk, however they usually opt for the barista-specific variety since it foams better. It is considerably pricier than standard vegetable milk.
Espresso
Espresso is characterized by its special preparation. The espresso for the macchiato is ultimately made like all other espresso drinks: hot water is run over finely-ground coffee beans compressed at a high intensity. This makes the espresso much less intense than filter coffee.
When making a latte macchiato, it is important to bear in mind that the higher the quality of coffee beans used, the more enjoyable the end result will be. It is beneficial to invest a bit extra money for a better grade of espresso beans. Purchasing whole beans and grinding them right before use prevents the aromas from dissipating during storage. The espresso used in this drink may be more intense than is customary because of the large quantity of milk contained within it.
It is possible to make an espresso in numerous ways, such as using a machine or a mocha pot. It’s worth experimenting to find out what best suits your preferences. It does not matter what method is used to make espresso, you should plan for about 30 milliliters per cup.
Layers
There are two major ways to generate the three layers.
In the first procedure, place the frothed milk into the glass until it is about two-thirds full. The espresso is expertly poured into the milk that has been made into a froth and the result is caught in the space between the milk and the top layer of foam.
If you are struggling with this, you can also attempt the second method which is divided into two steps. Pour the steamed, frothy milk into the cup up until it reaches about two-thirds capacity. Add some foam to the glass, but use a spoon to reserve some of the milk froth so that the top layer is rich and creamy.
Pour the espresso into the milk in a steady but gentle manner, which will create a distinct layer.
What’s the Point?
Incredible as it may seem, the layers of a drink are not just for show!
Milk foam is largely made up of air. This serves as a buffer which aids in nestling the espresso into the latte macchiato. When you whisk, you are breaking up the air pockets – you might as well go ahead and treat yourself to a latte (U.S.) oral caffè latte (Italy), instead (double espresso, plenty of milk, a bit of milk froth).
Take a sip without using a straw to experience an array of flavors: bold espresso, velvety milk foam, and warm milk. To stir a beverage properly, you should use your mouth instead of using a stirring spoon in the glass.
Latte Macchiato Calories
This beverage has about 102 kilocalories in it, and it is made of low-fat milk and does not include any sugar. A latte macchiato made with whole milk has about 135 kilocalories and with soy milk about 110 kilocalories.
If you add sugar to the beverage, you can anticipate consuming 20 kilocalories for each teaspoon.
So long as nothing is added in terms of sugar, the amount of calories present in a latte macchiato is not very high, unlike what is often reported.
Which Coffee Beans Work Best for Latte Macchiato?
Let us suppose that you favor latte macchiato because its flavor is far less reminiscent of coffee than other drinks. You need a bit of an added boost to be able to contend with all of that milk.
You have the option to add a slight hint of bitterness. The creamy milk foam in the glass mixed with its caramelized sugar molecules offers enough sweetness to counteract any bitterness.
You can create a latte macchiato with either a dark or light coffee roast, but the flavoring will be more pointed and pronounced when you use the darker roast.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Latte Macchiato?
While we’re crunching numbers, let’s figure out how much caffeine is in a latte macchiato. We just need to check the coffee, which typically is just a solitary shot of espresso.
My study on caffeine has revealed that a latte macchiato has an estimated 68 milligrams of caffeine. If you have worries about consuming coffee during pregnancy, this measure makes for an excellent reference point.
Medical experts advise that healthy pregnant women should not consume more than 200 mg of something in one day. Individuals who do not have an infant with them should remain below the suggested 400 mg/day upper limit.
That would mean buying six latte macchiatos, resulting in around 1.2 liters or 2.5 pints of milk. A conversation regarding caloric intake should then occur.
How to Make Latte Macchiato
If we look at the rule for latte proportions:
- The first part is warm milk
- The second part is milk foam
- The final part of espresso poured on top
All the milk froth can be used to create a latte macchiato with practically any type of ingredient readily available. Except, of course, with a drip coffee maker. It is possible to attempt to replicate a latte macchiato with a Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker but this would involve using a concentrated version of coffee rather than the genuine espresso needed.
How To Make Latte Macchiato With an Espresso Machine
The classic Italian approach remains the most reliable way to craft outstanding coffee drinks, depending on the barista’s expertise. You have the ability to adjust the settings on the coffee grinder in order to gain complete control over the texture of the milk foam.
You should have figured out that you have to make a latte macchiato — therefore, start off by foaming the milk, then brewing the espresso, and lastly mix it in.
With a Cappuccino, it’s the other way around. This is why you can take the espresso and put it right into a cappuccino mug or cup. When making a latte macchiato, a shot glass is the preferred choice.
It is unlikely for the average home espresso machine to possess the capacity to accommodate a latte glass given the limited space between the spout and the drip tray. Plus, you’ll do yourself several favors by brewing separately:
- If you first pour the foamed milk into the glass using a gentle circular motion, then allow it to stand for a short time, the foam structure will “solidify” significantly because of the fats in the milk.
- As a result, the layers hold better and the latte macchiato ends up looking like it was built on a drawing board.
- You can also help this more compact foam by swirling the jug again after steaming. This creates a more homogeneous consistency, even before it goes into the glass. Note: you don’t want to swirl the milk after the espresso is added in.
The instructions for making espresso are straightforward: water is pushed through approximately 7 grams of recently ground, finely ground espresso beans using at least 9 bars of pressure. It should take about 25 seconds to make the espresso shot, and the final pour should be between 20-25 milliliters (0.67-0.84 fluid ounces).
Right after brewing a shot of espresso, pour it into the milk in a steady stream, aiming it in the middle of the mug. Then serve the latte macchiato immediately.
How To Make a Latte Macchiato At Home: DIY Italian Style
No usual rules around making coffee are necessary when crafting a latte macchiato. There is no reason why you couldn’t make a latte on your own by using a moka pot and a milk frother.
This eventuates in us being nearer to realistic Italian scenarios. It is much more probable to encounter a Bialetti and a milk frother in a Roman kitchen rather than a sophisticated espresso machine.
In my test of milk frothers, there are many excellent machines for creating wonderful frothed milk. Be sure to investigate if you require tips that can be applied to a variety of milk-based coffees, like latte macchiatos, lattes, cappuccinos, etc.
Be cautious when preparing coffee with a moka pot to ensure it does not come out too intense or acrid. You must be alert during this process as it may be easy to extract too much if you are not careful.
It is beneficial to try coffees that are lighter in roast, have a sweet taste, and are good for beginners. I have experienced great success when making coffee with Brazilian beans that are of superior quality and come from one farm.
Latte Macchiato Glasses: What To Look For
The cup from Ikea is what I use to judge how much liquid to put in an espresso macchiato. The furniture giant does make practical stuff. We still have the authority to inquire why it would be unsuitable to utilize glass with a handle. Right?
If you use a double-walled glass, you won’t burn your fingers as you bring the drink to your mouth. Nevertheless, with particularly advanced automatic espresso machines, it is essential to consider the tallest possible cup size of every model.