MACCHIATO VS CAPPUCCINO: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

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MACCHIATO VS CAPPUCCINO: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Good morning, are you in need of a change in your daily morning coffee routine? Are you considering a macchiato or a cappuccino? So, the macchiato vs cappuccino!

These 2 espresso-based coffees are not the same but have their own story to tell. Today, we will cover these 2 great espresso classics for you. The difference is simple.

We will tell you which one is best to drink in the morning or later in the day. There’s always a perfect moment, right? After this post, you’ll make the right decision!

WHAT IS A MACCHIATO?

A macchiato is an espresso-based coffee. The name is Italian and means “marked”. It’s an espresso that is marked with milk. A macchiato is an espresso with a little bit of milk.

There are 2 versions to mention about the macchiato: espresso and latte.

ESPRESSO MACCHIATO

A drink that’s made with espresso, steamed milk, and foam. It’s the original Italian version of a macchiato. In Italy, it’s called a caffé macchiato. There are only a few small spoons of steamed milk on top of it. The espresso comes first, the milk afterward.

Tip: when outside of Italy, order an “espresso macchiato” because if you don’t, you’ll probably get a macchiato that’s closer to a cappuccino instead of an espresso.

LATTE MACCHIATO

This macchiato contains more milk and is closer to a cappuccino instead of an espresso. Since there’s more milk involved, the strength of the coffee beans is more key for a stronger taste. Espresso is added afterward.
Normally, you’ll have from bottom to top: steamed milk, espresso, and foam.

We refer to a separate Golden Sin post about the macchiato for more information.

WHAT IS A CAPPUCCINO?

The name cappuccino is derived from the Catholic order from Capuchin monks because the coffee looks like the color of their robes. A cappuccino is mostly served with something extra on top like sugar, cinnamon, chocolate, cacao powder…

A cappuccino resembles a latte macchiato but tastes more like an espresso macchiato. The thing is, a cappuccino contains about 1/3rd each of espresso, steamed milk, and foam, while a latte macchiato is filled with about 1/2nd steamed milk and milk added afterward.

The cappuccino isn’t as strong as the espresso macchiato, as the ratio is a bit higher.

When done correctly, a cappuccino has from bottom to top: espresso, steamed milk, and foam.

RATIO OVERVIEW OF MACCHIATO VS CAPPUCCINO

Here, we summarize in a simple table the ratios of the 3 coffees: espresso macchiato, latte macchiato, and cappuccino.

DRINK	#ESPRESSO	#MILK	#FOAM	REMARK
ESPRESSO MACCHIATO	<= 90%	>= 10%	thin	“Marked” Espresso
LATTE MACCHIATO	1/3rd	~1/2nd	thick	“Marked” Milk
CAPPUCCINO	1/3rd	1/3rd	1/3rd	Foam is less dense

WHAT ABOUT THE CAFFEINE?

Caffeine is important for many reasons: it gives us a boost of energy. For plants, like coffee, caffeine protects the plants against bugs and so on.

People say sometimes that’s more caffeine in a macchiato when compared to a cappuccino. You always have to consider the amount of coffee in your cup to a result. A latte macchiato doesn’t contain more or less caffeine than a cappuccino. This milk doesn’t do anything against the amount of caffeine.

There’s, of course, the possibility that when comparing different sizes, you’ll have more or less caffeine, that’s another story, right?

WHEN TO DRINK A MACCHIATO OR A CAPPUCCINO?

We’d say you can choose what you prefer but traditionally, they drink in Italy a cappuccino in the morning for breakfast. This gives you a great energy boost to start the day.

Coffee is delicious and thus espresso, that’s why the macchiato was born as it’s not a pure shot of espresso.

That’s just general advice, tradition is important but you can always try a macchiato or pure espresso in the morning if you’d like. A cappuccino is also great in the afternoon with something sweet as cake, pie, and so on…

CONCLUSION

There’s something to say about these espresso-based coffees. An espresso macchiato has a higher espresso-to-milk ratio than a cappuccino and might be more suited for consumption later in the day. Pay attention if you order a macchiato outside of Italy, you’ll mostly get a latte macchiato that’s closer to a cappuccino because of the lower espresso-to-milk ratio.

The macchiato vs cappuccino, which one do you choose?

More blog posts on espresso-based coffees:

F.A.Q.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAPPUCCINO AND MACCHIATO?

They’re both espresso-based coffees. The difference is in their espresso-to-milk ratio. A macchiato has a higher espresso-to-milk ratio than a cappuccino. A cappuccino has a 1:1:1 ratio (espresso, steamed milk, and foam) and an (espresso) macchiato has minimal 90% espresso and maximal 10% milk. A macchiato is a “marked” espresso.

IS A MACCHIATO STRONGER THAN A CAPPUCCINO?

Yes. They’re both espresso-based drinks. The argument of stronger is related to the amount of milk compared to the espresso. A macchiato (espresso) has a higher espresso-to-milk ratio (90% espresso) and thus more espresso when compared to a cappuccino, which has about 1/3rd espresso.

WHICH IS STRONGER, A CAPPUCCINO OR A LATTE?

A cappuccino! They exist of equal amounts (1/3rd) of espresso, milk, and foam, while a latte contains about 1/4th or 1/5th espresso and all the rest is milk and foam. The higher amount of milk makes it less strong, assuming it’s made with the same amount of espresso shots.

IS A MACCHIATO STRONGER THAN A LATTE?

Yes, they’re both espresso-based drinks. The argument of stronger is related to the amount of milk compared to the espresso. A macchiato (espresso) has a higher espresso-to-milk ratio (90% espresso) and thus more espresso when compared to a latte, which has about 1/4th to 1/5th espresso. Espressos have a stronger taste and heavier body. The amount of milk reduces the strongness of the espresso. This is the same for a latte macchiato.

WHICH HAS MORE MILK: A CAPPUCCINO OR A LATTE?

The cappuccino for sure. A macchiato (espresso) has maximal 10% milk and a cappuccino about 1/3rd is milk. A macchiato is an espresso that’s “marked” with a little bit of milk on top.

Enjoy your coffee!