Cappuccino Vs Latte Vs Macchiato: What's The Difference?

CAPPUCCINO VS. LATTE VS. MACCHIATO: THE OBVIOUS DIFFERENCES

The latte, cappuccino, and macchiato are not so similar, yet people still confuse them.

The menu at a specialty coffee shop can be intimidating, even for experienced coffee enthusiasts. What do all those Italian drink names really mean? Which one should you order?

I’ll explain the difference between these three of the most popular espresso-based drinks. Are you ready to become an expert in coffee choices? Great! Then let’s bring some clarity to the confusion!

What Is A Latte?

A latte is a coffee beverage made with espresso and steamed milk and capped with only a thin layer of milk foam. The name caffè latte is Italian for “coffee with milk,” but the drink is not Italian in origin. It’s a relatively modern beverage developed in America to satisfy consumer demands for a cappuccino with a less intense coffee flavor.

The precise ratio of espresso to steamed milk varies between coffee shops, and because the drink is so new, there is no strictly correct version. A latte typically has a ratio of about 1:6 espresso to milk and can be made with a single or double shot.

The result is a large drink with a mild coffee flavor and velvety texture, usually served in an 8 to 12-ounce glass.

Here’s how you do latte art:

North American vs Italian Lattes

In Italy, caffè latte often refers to a drink made at home on the stovetop, combining coffee brewed in a Moka pot with warm milk that hasn’t been frothed. If you visit an Italian cafe, you’re more likely to get the espresso-based version you expect, as long as you specify a caffè latte. Latte is the Italian word for milk and ordering one will get you exactly that, a glass of milk.

In North America, a classic latte is the espresso-and-milk drink described above, but myriad variations exist. A latte may be prepared heavily sweetened or flavored with syrups. Technically, as long as a drink contains milk, it can be a latte, even if it’s not made with coffee. For example, think of popular café drinks like Chai Latte and Matcha Latte.

Before getting into more details, watch Steven from Home Grounds explain all espresso-based drinks in a video below:

What Is A Cappuccino?

The cappuccino is another drink combining espresso and steamed milk, but it adds milk froth to the mix. It’s one of the most popular coffee drinks around the world.

A traditional Italian cappuccino contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth, usually served in a 5 or 6-ounce mug. It has a robust coffee flavor and a texture that walks the line between creamy and airy. Like the latte, it can be made with a single shot of espresso or two shots, but a double shot is more common in modern cafes.

In Italian coffee culture, cappuccino is exclusively a morning drink, as the amount of dairy is thought to hinder digestion late in the day (1). This cultural quirk is not observed anywhere else.

Notable Cappuccino Variations

In North America, many coffee shops serve cappuccinos in much larger sizes, sometimes decorated with latte art. However, traditional baristas scoff at this treatment because it interferes with the textural balance of the authentic drink. In many European countries, a cappuccino is topped with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon or cocoa powder.

You can customize a cappuccino to your taste by adjusting the amount of steamed milk and milk foam. A wet cappuccino has more steamed milk, while a dry cappuccino has more milk foam. A bone-dry cappuccino is only espresso and milk foam.

What Is A Macchiato?

A macchiato is made by simply adding a dollop of frothed milk to an espresso shot. Macchiato is the Italian word for “marked,” as it is an espresso “marked” with a spoonful of foamed milk on top. When preparing a macchiato vs other milky espresso drinks, the quality of espresso is paramount (2).

“It’s the milk coffee drink most likely to taste like the beans you used to brew your espresso shot, with a bit of the edge taken off by the milk and foam.”

The macchiato is a small drink, usually measuring no more than 3 ounces. It should be sipped but not savored as it will cool quickly.

Outside Italy, you might want to order a traditional espresso macchiato to make sure you get the right drink. Shops like Starbucks have caused confusion with creations like the “caramel macchiato,” a large and sugary confection with little resemblance to the original.

What About The Latte Macchiato?

The latte macchiato is a sort of inverse macchiato. It consists of a tall glass of hot milk “marked” by one or two shots of espresso poured on top. Its creamy texture and mild coffee taste more closely resemble a latte than a macchiato.

What Is The Difference Between Cappuccino, Latte, and Macchiato?

All three coffee drinks are made using an espresso machine with a steam wand and contain the same two ingredients – ground coffee beans and milk – but their similarities end there.

The differences stem from the type and quantity of milk, which gives each a unique taste and texture.

Ratio

Here are the differences in each drink’s coffee-to-milk ratio:

• Cappuccino: 1:1:1 (1 part espresso to 1 part steamed milk to 1 part frothed milk)
• Latte: 1:2:1 (1 part espresso to 2 parts steamed milk to 1 part foamed milk)
• Macchiato: 1:0.5 (1 part espresso to a dollop of milk)

A latte is made with the highest milk-to-coffee ratio and uses entirely steamed microfoam milk, with just a thin layer of foam on top. This gives it a velvety texture and mild, milky flavor. It has the largest serving size of the three and is the only one typically decorated with latte art.

The cappuccino combines equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. This gives it a stronger coffee flavor and lighter, airier texture than a latte. It is served in a smaller volume, usually a 5 or 6 ounces, and is often poured so that a circle of white is perfectly encircled by the darker coffee – a design called a monk’s head.

The caffè macchiato uses only a spoonful of foamed milk dolloped atop the espresso shot. Compared to the other two, it has a very strong coffee flavor and denser texture. It is the smallest drink of the three and it usually serve in a demitasse.

Coffee Flavor

The macchiato has the strongest coffee flavor because it uses only a small amount of milk. The cappuccino is the second strongest, while the latte has a milder coffee flavor.

Taste

The latte is the sweetest because it has the highest proportion of milk. Dairy milk is naturally sweet, especially when heated, so more milk equals a sweeter-tasting drink. Plus, a serving of latte is the most likely of the three to contain added sweeteners or flavored syrups, which blend better with milkier drinks.

Caffeine content

All three drinks have the same amount of caffeine because the amount of espresso doesn’t vary, assuming each is prepared with the same roast coffee beans. When made with a single shot, expect about 40 – 60 mg of caffeine in your latte, cappuccino, or macchiato. If it’s a double shot, the caffeine content doubles to 80 – 120 mg.

Espresso amount	Latte Caffeine Content	Cappuccino Caffeine Content	Macchiato Caffeine Content
Single shot	40 – 60 mg	40 – 60 mg	40 – 60 mg
Double shot	80 – 120 mg	80 – 120 mg	80 – 120 mg

Final Thoughts

Now you’re armed with the knowledge to discover your new favorite coffee drink among latte vs cappuccino vs macchiato. All three combine just coffee and milk, but each offers a distinct coffee experience.

Choose the macchiato if the taste of coffee is most important to you. Choose the latte if you prefer a sweet, milky flavor and smooth texture. Choose the cappuccino to split the difference, enjoying a bold coffee flavor and creamy mouthfeel.

FAQs

What is the difference between Frappuccino and Frappe?

The biggest difference between a Frappuccino and a Frappe is that a Frappuccino is blended and a Frappe is shaken, but that’s not the only difference. A Frappuccino is a modern Starbucks invention that blends ice, milk, sweetener, and flavorings – usually topped with whipped cream. Some Frappuccinos don’t even contain coffee. A Frappe is a traditional Greek drink made by shaking espresso or instant coffee with ice. Milk and sugar are optional but common.

What is a flat white?

A flat white is another beverage made by combining espresso with steamed milk. The flat white has a ratio of espresso to milk similar to a cappuccino but uses entirely microfoamed milk like a latte. So it has the stronger espresso flavor of a cappuccino with the silkier texture of a latte.

Is a cappuccino hotter than a latte?

No, a cappuccino is not hotter than a latte. Both espresso drinks should be served at the same temperature, between 140 to 150 F. This is the temperature at which steamed milk has the ideal balance of sweetness and rich texture. Underheated milk yields a thin and unstable foam, while overheated milk becomes watery and develops unwanted flavors (3).

References

1. fiveinItaly. (2022, January 23). In Italy, a Cappuccino is Only for Breakfast? What’s the Deal? Retrieved from https://medium.com/@fiveinitaly/in-italy-a-cappuccino-is-only-for-breakfast-whats-the-deal-670d684c2f58
2. Kasperowicz, M. (2020, December 22). Deep Dive: What Is a Macchiato Coffee? Retrieved from https://www.drinktrade.com/blogs/education/what-is-a-macchiato-espresso
3. Klimanova, Y. (2019, February 6). What Should You Cappuccino Milk Temperature Be? Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2019/02/what-temperature-should-your-cappuccino-milk-be/