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Espresso Macchiato

Region: Italy 🇮🇹
Brewing Time: 25-30 seconds
Total Time: <2 minutes
Indulgence: ☕️ (Strong)
The Story:
The original "macchiato" (meaning "stained" or "spotted" in Italian) is a simple and classic drink. It is primarily a shot of espresso that is merely "stained" or "marked" with a small dollop of frothy milk to mellow the intensity slightly. It is the polar opposite of the large, sweet, layered Caramel Macchiato found in modern chains.
Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 shot espresso
  • 1-2 tbsp foamed milk

Equipment

  • Espresso machine (with steam wand)

Method
 

  1. Pull a single shot of espresso into a small demitasse cup.
  2. Steam a very small amount of milk, creating a dense foam.
  3. Spoon just a dollop of milk foam onto the center of the espresso, "staining" it.
  4. Pro Tip: The goal is to preserve the integrity of the espresso shot while taking just the slightest edge off. Use the frothiest part of the milk for the "stain."
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