Latte macchiato facts for kids

A latte macchiato, showing its layers

A glass of latte macchiato with coffee beans

Latte macchiato is a popular coffee drink. Its name comes from Italian and means "stained milk." This is because a small amount of espresso coffee is added to a lot of milk, leaving a "stain" or mark on top. It's like a fun twist on "Espresso macchiato," which is an espresso with just a tiny bit of milk.

Latte Macchiato vs. Caffè Latte

Latte macchiato and caffè latte might sound similar, but they are made differently.

How They Are Made

• Latte macchiato: Espresso is poured into the milk.
• Caffè latte: Milk is poured into the espresso.

Foam and Coffee Amount

• Latte macchiato: Has much more foam and often uses less espresso (sometimes even half a shot).
• Caffè latte: Uses mostly hot milk with less foam.

Layers and Focus

• Latte macchiato: Is usually a layered drink, meaning you can see different bands of milk, coffee, and foam. The main focus is on the milk.
• Caffè latte: The ingredients are mixed together. The main focus is on the coffee.

The "Stain" or "Mark"

The word macchia means "spot" or "stain." In a latte macchiato, you'll often see a small spot of dark coffee foam (called crèma) on top of the milk. This mark helps you know it's a latte macchiato and not a caffè latte, where the coffee is usually added first and mixes in.

How to Make Latte Macchiato

Making a latte macchiato is quite simple, but it can also be done in a special way to create cool layers.

Simple Preparation

First, you froth milk until it's very foamy. This usually creates a lot of light, airy foam with some liquid milk underneath. This foam is different from the smooth, creamy foam used for latte art. Then, you pour the frothed milk into a glass. Finally, you add the espresso.

Creating Layers

To make a layered latte macchiato, you need a glass so you can see the different parts.

• Start by frothing your milk well.
• Pour the frothed milk into a tall glass. You'll see a layer of liquid milk at the bottom and a thick layer of foam on top.
• Carefully pour the espresso shot. It's best to pour it slowly over the back of a spoon. This helps the espresso settle between the heavier liquid milk and the lighter foam, creating a beautiful layered look.

Espresso Tools

You can brew your espresso into a regular espresso cup or a shot glass and then quickly add it. Some people use a special espresso brew pitcher. This pitcher makes it easier to pour the espresso smoothly, especially when you want to create those neat layers.