Here’s a breakdown of the differences between a latte, cappuccino, and macchiato, three popular espresso-based coffee drinks:

1. Latte

• Ingredients: Espresso, steamed milk, light foam.
• Milk to Espresso Ratio: A latte typically has a lot more steamed milk than espresso, with a thin layer of foam on top.
• Texture: Creamy and smooth due to the large amount of steamed milk.
• Flavor: Milder coffee flavor, dominated by the creaminess of the milk.
• Typical Serving: Often served in larger cups (8 to 16 oz).

2. Cappuccino

• Ingredients: Espresso, equal parts steamed milk, and foam.
• Milk to Espresso Ratio: Cappuccino has a balanced ratio between espresso, steamed milk, and foam (about 1:1:1).
• Texture: Rich and frothy, with a thicker layer of foam.
• Flavor: Stronger coffee flavor compared to a latte, as the milk doesn’t dilute the espresso as much.
• Typical Serving: Usually served in smaller cups (6 to 8 oz).

3. Macchiato

• Ingredients: Espresso “stained” or “marked” with a small amount of milk.
• Milk to Espresso Ratio: Very little milk compared to the espresso. It’s essentially an espresso with a dash of milk or foam.
• Texture: The texture is primarily that of espresso with just a hint of creaminess from the milk.
• Flavor: Strongest coffee flavor of the three since it contains the least milk.
• Typical Serving: Served in a small espresso cup.

In short:

• Latte: More milk, mild coffee flavor.
• Cappuccino: Equal milk and foam, more balanced.
• Macchiato: Mostly espresso, with just a touch of milk.

Do you have a favorite out of these three?