Macchiato Recipe

Time7m

Serves1

Make Macchiato Recipe in just 7m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Prepare portafilter
Dose 18 g of freshly roasted coffee beans and grind to a fine espresso grind. Distribute grounds evenly in the portafilter, tamp with 15–20 kg of pressure to create a level puck.
2
Brew espresso
Lock the portafilter into the espresso machine and start extraction. Aim for 36 ml of espresso in about 25–30 seconds (1:2 ratio). Stop extraction when yield is reached. Pour the espresso into a warmed demitasse cup.
3
Alternative: Moka/stovetop
If using a Moka pot, brew a strong shot and use 30–40 ml of the concentrate. The flavor will be different but acceptable for a macchiato.

4
Prepare milk
Pour 2 oz (about 60 ml) whole milk into a small milk pitcher. Chill or warm equipment beforehand for consistency.
5
Steam and texture milk
Purge steam wand briefly. Submerge tip just below the surface of the milk and introduce air for 3–6 seconds to create microfoam (aim for glossy, velvety texture with small bubbles). Then sink the wand deeper and heat milk to 55–65°C (130–150°F). If using an electric frother, froth until you have a dense, thick foam with shiny microbubbles.
6
Skim foam for the mark
Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to settle the foam. Using a spoon, remove a small dollop (about 1–2 teaspoons) of dense foam for a traditional espresso macchiato 'mark'. Reserve additional milk if making a larger or iced macchiato.

7
Mark the espresso
With the espresso in the demitasse, gently place the small dollop (1–2 tsp) of milk foam onto the center of the espresso. The result should be a small white 'stain' or 'mark' (macchiato means 'stained' or 'spotted').
8
Optional: microfoam pour
If you prefer a 'latte macchiato' style or a larger beverage, instead pour steamed milk into a glass and then pour the espresso over the milk to create layered effect. For a traditional macchiato, keep it small and espresso-forward.
9
Serve
Serve immediately while hot. Provide a small spoon for stirring if the drinker wants to blend the foam into the espresso.