macchiatos

Milk-spotted coffee drinks

Macchiatos are espresso-based coffee drinks.

The name comes from Italian for "stained" or "spotted," referring to the small amount of milk that marks the espresso.

A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a dollop of foamed milk on top, though American coffee chains have popularized larger, sweeter versions that reverse the proportions.

I prefer macchiatos to lattes because they're less milky.

beverage

espresso

Concentrated pressurized brew

  • foamBubble-filled substance
  • milkMammalian nursing fluid
  • shotQuick liquor serving

stain · cortado · latte · cappuccino · crema · ristretto · doppio · microfoam · caramel · vanilla

coffeehouse

Starbucks

Ubiquitous coffeehouse chain

  • orderMethodical arrangement or request
  • counterFlat service surface
  • baristaProfessional café drink maker

menu · size · grande · venti · customization · syrup · pump · iced · hot · cup

preparation

marking

Indicating with symbols

layering · ratio · traditional · inverted · technique · pour · top · contrast · presentation · aesthetic

Opposites
milk-to-espresso ratio

macchiatoslattes

Espresso with steamed milk

café au lait · café con leche · black coffee · flat whites · cappuccinos

coffee preparation complexity

macchiatosdrip coffee

Filtered hot beverage

instant coffee · filter coffee

Phrases
Family

macchiato

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G