Latte Macchiato

   

    Latte macchiato is an espresso based drink, where, as the name suggests, the milk is literally stained by the coffee poured on top of it. 

    A latte macchiato may be prepared simply by frothing milk, generally producing generous foam, pouring it (generally into a glass), and adding espresso. The frothing is generally extensive, yielding significant light, "dry" foam, with a layer of liquid milk underneath, rather than the "wet" microfoam used in latte art.

    Another variation of the macchiato is in layers. The espresso is gently poured over the back of a  teaspoon  so that it forms a layer between the denser liquid milk below and the lighter foam above. 

    A latte macchiato is different than a caffe latte. Firstly, the espresso is added to the milk rather than the milk to espresso. Secondly, more foam is used rather than just hot steamed milk. Thirdly, it is often presented as a layered drink rather than a homogeneous mix. On the whole, in a caffe latte the emphasis is on the espresso, whereas in a latte macchiato, the emphasis is on the milk.