What is the Difference Between Cappuccino and Macchiato

The main difference between cappuccino and macchiato is that cappuccino has a more milky and creamy taste than macchiato.

Cappuccino and macchiato are two popular coffee drinks made with espresso. Cappuccino is a type of coffee that contains equal amounts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Macchiato, on the other hand, is simply espresso with a small amount of milk on top. Since macchiato only has a small amount of milk, it has a stronger taste than cappuccino.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Cappuccino 
     – Definition, Preparation, Taste
2. What is Macchiato
     – Definition, Preparation, Taste
3. What are the Similarities Between Cappuccino and Macchiato
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Cappuccino and Macchiato
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cappuccino, Macchiato

What is Cappuccino

A cappuccino is a popular Italian coffee drink that is made with espresso (highly concentrated, bittersweet coffee), steamed milk, and milk foam. A cappuccino is somewhere between a macchiato and a latte. The ratios of the ingredients are 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, and 1/3 milk foam. In other words, it contains equal parts of espresso, milk, milk foam. To make cappuccino you have to first pour the espresso into the coffee cup, and then fill it with milk and steamed milk foam. You can make the steamed milk using the milk steamer on your espresso machine. In fact, traditional cappuccinos have a 2cm thick layer of foam on top.  Moreover, if you order a dry cappuccino, you will get a cappuccino with more form, but if you order a wet cappuccino, you will get a cappuccino with more milk.

Cappuccino has a creamy, rich, and smooth taste and texture. Although they are milky, they may have a stronger coffee flavour than some other coffee drinks. Some also add ingredients like spices and flavourings to cappuccino. Sometimes ingredients like fruits and protein are also added to cappuccinos. You might sometimes even find a drizzle of chocolate or cocoa powder on top of your cappuccino.

What is Macchiato

Macchiato, better known as espresso macchiato or caffè macchiato, is another type of espresso coffee. It is a mix between espresso and cappuccino. Macchiato is basically espresso with a small splash of milk on top.  The term macchiato has the meaning ‘strained or spotted’, so its literal meaning is coffee with a spot of milk.

Macchiato is usually stronger than an average cappuccino. This is because macchiato only has a small amount of milk. Furthermore, macchiatos usually come in smaller cups. If you are calorie conscious or drinking coffee for the sake of staying awake, a macchiato may be a good choice because it mainly contains espresso.

Similarities Between Cappuccino and Macchiato

• Cappuccino and macchiato are two popular coffee drinks with an Italian origin.
• Both are made using espresso.
• The caffeine content in both coffees is the same, which contains a shot of espresso.

Difference Between Cappuccino and Macchiato

Definition

Cappuccino is a type of coffee that contains equal amounts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Macchiato, on the other hand, is simply espresso with a small amount of foamed milk on top.

Ingredients

Cappuccinos are made using equal amounts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam while macchiatos are made by adding a small amount of milk to a shot of espresso.

Taste

Cappuccino has a more milky and creamy taste than the macchiato, which has a strong taste.

Relative Position

A cappuccino is somewhere between a macchiato and a latte while macchiato is a mix between espresso and cappuccino.

Conclusion

Cappuccinos are made using equal amounts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam while macchiatos are made by adding a small amount of milk to a shot of espresso. Cappuccino has a more milky and creamy taste than the macchiato, which has a strong taste. Thus, this is the main difference between cappuccino and macchiato.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cappuccino at Sightglass Coffee” By Jonathan McIntosh – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Espresso macchiato Chiang Mai” By Takeaway – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia