Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Caffè Macchiato
Meaning 'stained' coffee. A single shot of strong espresso marked with a small dollop of hot, foamed milk to slightly soften the acidity.
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 3 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 1
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 1 serving
- espresso coffee beans
- whole milk (cold)
- sugar (optional)
Equipment
- Espresso machine with steam wand
- Demitasse cup
- Milk pitcher
Instructions
- 1
Warm Demitasse
Rinse a small espresso cup (demitasse) with hot water to warm it.
- 2
Grind Beans
Grind your espresso beans finely and dose into the portafilter.
- 3
Tamp
Tamp the coffee grounds evenly.
- 4
Extract Shot
Pull a standard 1-ounce (30ml) shot of espresso into the warm cup.
- 5
Prepare Milk
Pour a very small amount of cold whole milk into a frothing pitcher.
- 6
Purge Wand
Briefly turn on the steam wand to clear condensation.
- 7
Froth Milk
Aerate the milk specifically to create a dense, dry foam (slightly more air than a latte).
- 8
Groom Foam
Tap the pitcher to remove large bubbles and swirl to integrate.
- 9
Stain the Coffee
Using a spoon, scoop a small dollop (about 1-2 teaspoons) of just the milk foam.
- 10
Serve
Place the foam directly in the center of the espresso crema. Serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
- The goal is not to dilute the coffee with liquid milk, but merely to 'stain' it with a touch of foam for texture.
- The espresso should remain pitch black under the crema.
Variations
- Macchiato Freddo: Espresso stained with a splash of cold, unsteamed milk.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A perfect bridge between a straight espresso and a heavier milk drink.
Nutrition Estimate
15 calories · 1g protein · 1g carbs · 1g fat · 0g fiber per serving
