View source for Latte macchiato

{{Short description|Hot espresso drink with milk}}
{{Distinguish|text=a drink with a similar name, [[caffè macchiato]]}}
{{One source|date=April 2024}}
{{Italics title}}
[[File:Latte macchiato with coffee beans.jpg|thumb|A glass of {{lang|it|latte macchiato}}]]
'''{{lang|it|Latte macchiato}}''' ({{IPA|it|ˈlatte makˈkjaːto|lang}}) is a [[coffee]] beverage. The name is [[Italian language|Italian]] for 'stained milk', referring to the way the drink is prepared, by pouring a shot of [[espresso]] into steamed milk. It is a play on {{lang|it|[[caffè macchiato]]}}, an older drink consisting of espresso marked with a dollop or two of milk or cream.

==Related drinks==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
{{lang|it|Latte macchiato}} differs from [[Latte|caffè latte]] in several ways. First, in a {{lang|it|latte macchiato}}, espresso is added to milk, rather than milk to espresso. Second, a {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} features more foam rather than simply hot milk. A {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} often uses only half an espresso shot or less. Finally, a {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} is often a [[layered drink]], rather than being mixed.

In a caffè latte the emphasis is on the coffee, while in a {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} it is on the milk.

The {{lang|it|macchia}} ({{literally|spot}}) is the small stain of brown espresso foam, known as {{lang|it|crema}}, left on top of the milk showing where the espresso shot was poured. Its presence visually distinguishes the {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} from a caffè latte, as in a caffè latte the espresso is added to the cup first before the milk is mixed in.

Another similarly named beverage, {{lang|it|[[caffè macchiato]]}} (also known as {{lang|it|espresso macchiato}}), is actually a shot of espresso "stained" with a small amount of milk.

==Preparation==
A {{lang|it|latte macchiato}} may be prepared simply by frothing milk, generally producing generous foam, pouring it into a glass, and adding espresso. The frothing is generally extensive, yielding significant light, "dry" foam, with a layer of liquid milk underneath, rather than the "wet" [[microfoam]] used in [[latte art]].

Alternatively, it may be prepared as a layered drink, with the espresso "gently" poured (most gently out of a small [[Creamer (vessel)#Espresso brew pitcher|espresso brew pitcher]], over the back of a spoon) so that it forms a layer between the denser liquid milk below and the lighter foam above. In this case a glass is essential for the layers to be visible.

The espresso may be brewed into a standard [[Demitasse|espresso cup]] or [[shot glass]] and then swiftly dumped in, or may be brewed into a specialized espresso brew pitcher, which makes pouring easier, particularly for layering.<ref>{{Cite book
 | last = Davids
 | first = Kenneth
 | year = 2001
 | title = Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying
 | edition = 5e
 | isbn = 0-312-24665-X
 | location = New York, NY, USA
 | publisher = St. Martin's Griffin
}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Italy|Drink|Coffee}}
* [[List of coffee drinks]]
* {{lang|it|[[Caffè macchiato]]}}
* [[Cappuccino#Similar drinks|Steamer]] (or "babycino") – steamed milk only

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.espresso-international.it/latte-macchiato- {{lang|it|Latte macchiato}} in detail] {{in lang|it}}

{{Coffee|nocat=1}}
{{Coffee in Italy}}
{{Cuisine of Italy}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Latte Macchiato}}
[[Category:Coffee in Italy]]
[[Category:Coffee drinks]]
[[Category:Espresso]]