Macchiato is a coffee drink made with espresso that has a hint of milk on top. Latte, on the other hand, is a type of coffee that’s made with a single or double shot of espresso which is then combined with steamed milk. It’s then topped with a layer of foam milk.
The second you enter a coffee shop you see a wide variety of coffees that they are serving, at this time it’s normal to be indecisive about what you want.
Now let’s have a short approach for that, we can compare a Latte and a Macchiato here to see how they differ and what similarities do they have.
Lattes and Macchiatos are the most popular drinks when it comes to the top 10 list.
Now you’d be wondering how is one supposed to understand the difference between Latte and Macchiato, let me help you out here.
I have gathered almost everything I could about Latte and Macchiato under this article and saved you the hassle of googling every other query.
Let’s dive right into the details, shall we?
What Is Macchiato?
Macchiato is a coffee drink made with espresso that has a hint of milk on top. This allows the drinker to appreciate the taste of espresso.
It originated in Italy during the eighties when the baristas wanted to distinguish espresso from a drop of milk. It’s made with a single mostly or a double (if the customer prefers) shot of espresso.
A Macchiato is a stronger drink than a Latte, it gives off a bold smell and taste of coffee with more caffeine.
In Italian the word Macchiato means ‘spotted‘, this refers to the spot on the top of the drink. It is caused by a barista pouring a small amount of milk directly into the espresso leaving a spot of milk on the top of the drink.
Traditionally this drink is served in a small espresso cup of around 2 to 3 ounces.
Outside of Italy, Macchiatos are different, they can be tall, filled with milk, with some extra shots of syrup, tons of caramel to balance the strong taste of espresso shot.
It tastes a whole lot like espresso, the higher the quality of beans the better the quantity. A small 2 oz Macchiato contains about 85 mg of caffeine whereas a large one can contain up to 120 mg of caffeine.
What is Latte?
Latte is a type of coffee that’s made with a single or double shot of espresso which is then combined with steamed milk. It’s then topped with a layer of foam milk. It has a variety of options ranging from caramel latte to pumpkin spice latte.
It originated in Italy and Lino Meiorin, an Italian barista who while working in Berkeley, California claimed that he was the one who invented latte in the 1950s.
You can almost find latte around every corner of the street, the attractive thing about latte is the Latte Art.
Latte Art requires specific skills, not everyone is capable of creating perfect Latte Art. Lattes also have a strong creamier flavor due to the addition of syrups.
It is said that Latte was invented because of the customers who found espresso shots strong, you can grab yourself a Latte which is around 8 to 16 ounces.
The standard combination for a latte is 1/3 double shot espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, 1 cm foam.
Nutritional Value of Latte Vs Macchiato
Let’s look into the nutrition that Latte and Macchiato provide you with.
| Contents | Latte (8oz) | Macchiato(2oz) |
| Caffeine | 62.8 mg | 85 mg |
| Calories | 94.5 k/cal | 10 k/cal |
| Carbohydrates (Sugar) | 9.5 g | 0.67 g |
| Fat | 3.7 g | 0.56 g |
| Protein | 6 g | 0.53 g |
| Sodium | 90.5 mg | 12 mg |
| Cholesterol | 14.5 mg | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 291 mg | 72 mg |
| Calcium | 221 mg | 18 mg |
| Vitamin D | 2 mcg | 0 mcg |
| Vitamin A | – | 4 mcg |
| Vitamin C | – | 0.1 mcg |
Looking at the table you can see how what major differences do Latte and Macchiato have. Although Latte has more protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, and vitamin D, Macchiato is healthier because it has less milk and sugar.
Now let’s look into the caffeine content of Latte and Macchiato.
Caffeine Comparison Of Latte Vs Macchiato
Caffeine is very addicting, it’s a natural stimulating agent which stimulates the brain and central nervous system.
Caffeine can be found in tea leaves, coffee, and cocoa.
| Latte (8oz) | Macchiato(2oz) |
| 62.8 mg | 85 mg |
You can see how Macchiato has a higher amount of caffeine even though it is only two ounces per serving.
Caffeine works as a blocker by blocking the adenosine receptor which makes you feel more energized and alert.
But there’s a limit to whatever you can consume on daily basis, similarly, the FDA states that a healthy individual should have no more than 400mg of caffeine daily.
This means you can easily consume two cups of Latte or Macchiato, sometimes even three.
But you should always keep a tab of your intake and observe if you’re caffeine-sensitive or not because overdosing on caffeine can have serious side effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Lack of concentration
- Anxiety
- Abnormal heart rhythm
So if you’re someone looking for a short boost then you can grab yourself a latte, however, if you have an active lifestyle you can help yourself to the nearest cafe and ask for a Macchiato.
Now let’s look into the calorie content of Latte and Macchiato.
Calories Comaprison Of Latte Vs Macchiato
Calories determine the energy you will be getting from a specific food or drink, this will give your metabolism a boost and strength but will cause weight gain.
| Latte(8oz) | Macchiato(2oz) |
| 94.5 k/cal | 10 k/cal |
If you’re someone looking for a healthier approaching term of calories, you can opt for a latte, this will not only help you with your strength but improve your mood and give you a lasting boost.
However, if you’re weight conscious or on a weight loss journey and don’t want to put up the extra weight you can go for a Macchiato.
According to the NHS, your total calorie intake daily should be 2000 for women and 2500 for men.
This means having a cup of coffee in the morning won’t affect the daily limit set by the NHS.
What Is The Difference Between Latte And Macchiato?
There is a very slight difference between a latte and a Macchiato, they both have an espresso base, one or two shots of espresso at a time.
The main difference is the milk! In Latte they use steamed milk and foam milk which sets on the top, therefore making Latte a large drink around 8 ounces to start from.
However, a Macchiato has a shot of espresso and only a small amount of steamed milk is added to it, which leaves a spot on the espresso. It has bold flavors due to a spot of milk.
A regular Macchiato starts from 2 ounces and can go up to 4 ounces per serving. However, outside Italy Macchiato is very different, it’s tall, huge, and flavourful.
Which One Gives More Energy?
If you’re looking for more caffeine then the answer is Macchiato. It gives you more caffeine as compared to latte, this will boost your mechanism physically and mentally and help you perform better.
In the case of calories, which provides you the energy a Latte can go perfectly for that since it has about 94 calories per serving. This is due to the milk which is added to it.
You can get more energy from a Latte if calories aren’t a problem for you, a Latte also contains syrups and caramel which can play a huge role in boosting your metabolism and making you more alert.
Can You Drink Macchiato Every Day?
Yes! You can easily drink Macchiato every day until you consume it in moderation.
A macchiato is a 2-ounce drink, which has about one or two-shot of espresso tipped with a spot of milk. This is relatively a small amount of drink and can be consumed anytime.
However, it’s best to consume it in the morning if you’re feeling a little low and got a lot of work on your end.
Macchiato won’t add up to your calories if you’re an active person, it can help you focus on your work with better concentration for creativity.
In my opinion, you can consume a Macchiato every day, until you keep a tab on your intake so that you don’t overdose.
If you’re curious how one can make a Macchiato, don’t you worry as I got your back, you can watch this video and learn how to make a Macchiato at home:
How Is Macchiato Different From Coffee?
Macchiato and Coffee are brewed differently. A macchiato has a shot of espresso and a shot of espresso is prepared by passing high pressure of water through concentrated grind coffee beans.
Coffee on the other hand is prepared by mixing the ground coffee beans with water and then brewing is done.
To know more about coffee brewing, have a look at my other article here.
Macchiato and coffee do have some similarities when it comes to taste but a Macchiato has more bold flavors due to a shot of espresso and a spot of milk.
In terms of caffeine, a Macchiato contains more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee at any cafe.
Summary
Latte and Macchiato are just other forms of espresso.
Both of them use a base of espresso, in Latte they add steamed milk and foam milk which sits on the top and contributes to the creation of Latte art.
However, a Macchiato is a smaller drink with one shot of espresso and a spot of milk in the cup. It has a much bolder taste and smell than a regular cup of coffee and Latte.
With this, I hope you can choose what’s best for you.
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