Caffè macchiato

(; sometimes called and sometimes shortened to just macchiato in English) is an espresso coffee drink with a small amount of milk, usually foamed. In Italian, means 'stained' or 'spotted', so the literal translation of is 'stained coffee' or 'marked coffee'.

History

The origin of the name stems from the difference between an espresso and an espresso with a tiny bit of milk in it; the latter was "marked". The idea is reflected in the Portuguese name for the drink: , meaning 'coffee with a drop'.

Preparation

The has the highest ratio of espresso to milk of any drink made with those ingredients. The intent is that the milk moderates, rather than overwhelms, the taste of the coffee while adding a touch of sweetness. The drink is typically prepared by pouring a small amount of steamed milk directly into a single shot of espresso. One recipe calls for Template:Convert, about 1–2 teaspoons of milk, heated to Template:Convert.

Regional variants

In Australia, the drink is referred to simply as a macchiato, often shortened to just mac, and has some variants. A traditional long macchiato is usually a double-shot of espresso with a dash of textured milk (milk that is frothed before being heated, whereas Template:Em milk is frothed and heated at the same time) and most of the glass left empty. In Perth, a "long mac topped up" is usually a double-shot of espresso with the glass filled with textured milk. In Melbourne, a macchiato is a double-shot of espresso, a glass half-filled with water, and a dash of textured milk on top.

See also

• List of coffee drinks
• Steamer (or "babycino") – steamed milk only