I’m a strong believer that there’s a time and a place for every espresso order, from the macchiato to the cappuccino. In the battle between ordering a macchiato vs a cappuccino, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, how much liquid (volume) do you want to drink? A macchiato is a much smaller drink than a cappuccino — so there’s one major consideration. Of course, these two drinks have several other differences, such as their flavor and milk content. Let’s compare a macchiato vs. a cappuccino order to help you decide which espresso beverage is the right choice for your mood (and your taste buds).
Macchiato vs. cappuccino: How they’re made
Before we can compare the strength of each of these two espresso beverages, let’s first start with the basics. An espresso macchiato is a small beverage (usually around three ounces), which is a shot of espresso that is “stained” or “marked” with a small amount of milk foam. To make an espresso macchiato, you’ll prepare your espresso shots and then use one to two teaspoons of foamed milk to “stain” the espresso, pouring the foamed milk directly on top.
“The idea is just to mark the espresso with milk foam, not cover it completely,” says Darren Spicer, Co-Founder of Clutch Coffee Bar. The ratio for a macchiato is about 90 to 95% espresso with about 5 to 10% foam.
In comparison, a cappuccino is a larger espresso beverage (usually around six to eight ounces) made from a balanced ratio of one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third milk foam. Making a cappuccino involves brewing fresh espresso shots and steaming and frothing milk to pour on top.
Each drink also has a different texture and mouthfeel, which occurs from the differences in milk quantity used in each beverage. A cappuccino has a much more velvety, thicker texture, whereas a macchiato has a thinner texture from the small dollop of foam on top. As a true espresso lover, I love both of these drinks and don’t think one is necessairly better than the other. Ultimately, it just depends on what you’re looking for in an espresso beverage order.
Which beverage is stronger?
When comparing the strength of a macchiato vs. a cappuccino, we can compare the caffeine content and the flavor. Spicer explains that a macchiato and a cappuccino generally have the same amount of caffeine, as they both use the same amount of espresso shots. However, the flavor profile is where they greatly differ.
“The flavor profile in a macchiato is more direct, bold, and concentrated, while more balanced in a cappuccino that uses more milk,” says Spicer.
If you want to know exactly how much caffeine is in your cappuccino or macchiato, you’ll need to ask how many shots of espresso are used (one or two). A standard shot of espresso has about 64 milligrams of caffeine.
Spicer recommends a macchiato if you prefer a stronger, bolder espresso flavor, as the coffee flavor shines through more. A cappuccino will hit the spot for those who prefer a creamier beverage.
“If you want something more filling and creamy, the cappuccino is a better choice. It has more volume, the steamed milk gives some body and sweetness, and the foam adds a nice velvety texture,” he says.
Macchiato vs. cappuccino food pairings
Your choice between ordering a macchiato or a cappuccino might also depend on your food choice, as each drink pairs differently with foods. Spicer says a cappuccino pairs better with pancakes, waffles, croissants, or other savory egg dishes or breads. The heaviness of the milk in a cappuccino helps to soften these bold flavors. In contrast, a macchiato pairs better with sweeter pastries, like danishes, fruit tarts, or cannolis, where the coffee intensity shines through without all the extra milk.
As much as I love a cappuccino, I do agree that it can feel heavy and quite filling. That’s why many Italians never drink a cappuccino in the evening hours, as it’s meant to be paired with a light pastry as a breakfast meal. While at home, I find that a cappuccino in itself is often enough to keep me full until it’s time for breakfast (though I’m not advocating for skipping breakfast regularly).
Macchiato vs. cappuccino vs. latte
Compared to a latte, both the cappuccino and espresso macchiato use far less milk. A latte is made with a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio, which means you’re getting a whole lot more creaminess and a milder espresso flavor. While a latte is a great treat, I personally prefer the more espresso-forward and balanced flavor of a macchiato or a latte. A cappuccino contains more milk than a macchiato, but a latte contains even more steamed milk than a cappuccino. When you’re deciding which to order, you’ll want to consider just how much milk you want (which also makes the calories add up).
