Looking at the coffee ordering menu, I became confused by all the exotic names. I mean, do I want a Frappuccino or a macchiato? But the more important question is, what are they, and what’s the difference?
The main difference between Frappuccino and a macchiato is that a Frappuccino is an iced coffee while a macchiato is served hot.
In addition, frappuccino has a sweet and creamy taste, while macchiato has a more concentrated, intense taste.
Read on to discover some additional surprising differences between Frappuccino and macchiato.
What Type of Coffee Is Frappuccino?
A little background on Frappuccino is a trademarked Starbucks coffee. They didn’t invent the refreshing coffee as it originated at a local coffee shop, Coffee Connection, based in Boston.
When Starbucks purchased the business, they decided to trademark the Frappuccino name.
So, the next time you see a Frappuccino coffee on a menu, it is a variant of the Starbucks Frappuccino coffee. But no matter where a Frappuccino is purchased, it is a deliciously satisfying coffee.
If you love milkshakes, then you will love a Frappuccino. This sweet, iced coffee drink is made by blending coffee with flavored syrups and topped with whipped cream. A deliciously refreshing coffee drink that has a kick to it.
If you want to walk on the wild side, have your Frappuccino served affogato-style with a shot of espresso on the top.
What Type of Coffee Is Macchiato?
The Italian translation for macchiato is “strained” or “marked,” as in a macchiato coffee being strained or marked with milk.
At the basic level, a macchiato is an espresso with milk added. Since it is more of a concentrated coffee drink, it is more intense than Frappuccino coffee.
There are no standards for how much milk to add to macchiato coffees. But these recipes for two different macchiato drinks are good rules of thumb.
1. Macchiato Expresso
In Italy, known as a cafè macchiato, this is the original style of macchiato coffee.
The macchiato express differs from the latte macchiato in that the drink leans to the espresso side. These are the steps in making a Macchiato Expesso.
Step 1. In a ceramic or demitasse cup, pour a shot of espresso.
Step 2. Add one or two teaspoons of steamed milk with some foam on top to the expresso.
2. Macchiato Latte
The layered macchiato latte differs from the macchiato espresso since it focuses more on milk than espresso. This coffee is also different from the standard latte as it has more milk and less espresso found in a latte coffee. These are the steps in making your Macchiato Latte.
Step 1. Begin with rewarming a 12-ounce glass, then fill up to one-third to half of the steamed milk.
Step 2. The next step requires pouring the expresso slowly and carefully over steamed milk. The best method at home is slowly pouring the espresso over the back of a spoon.
Step 3. Confirm the finished macchiato latte should have a layered or gradient look. The steamed milk will be on the bottom, with the less dense espresso next and a foam layer on top.
Is Macchiato Coffee Sweet or Bitter?
Traditionally, the Italian coffee drink is not intended to be sweet. However, with American tastes (and mine) the traditional macchiato has syrup added to give it a sweeter flavor.
Most coffee shops, including Starbucks, recognize the fact in the United States that most customers like their macchiato to be sweet. However, if you prefer the more traditional macchiato drink, it is made only with espresso and milk without any syrups and is not sweet.
Can a Macchiato Coffee Drink Be Mixed?
Yes, because to really enjoy a macchiato drink, mixing it to create different layers of flavor contributes to its uniqueness. Mixing can create different gradients of color, from light brown to dark brown. A unique feature of this coffee drink is that it is drunk through the layers, each with its own unique taste.
Macchiato is often confused with a latte, but they are two different coffee drinks, even with the same ingredients.
You may ask, how can a coffee drink have the same ingredients yet be different? I am glad you did, and this is why.
How Does Macchiato Differ From a Latte?
Often a macchiato has the same ingredients as a latte, but they are still two different drinks. The difference is not so much in the coffee drinks but in how it is drunk.
Macchiato drinks are more to be experienced than consumed quickly. The macchiato is served un-blended and in layers, meant to have each layer sipped.
You should work your way down through each layer to the succulent espresso at the bottom. However, a latte with the same ingredients is blended with the coffee to be consumed quickly.
Tips on Saving Calories in a Frappuccino
A Frappuccino is a delicious and satisfying coffee because it is loaded with sugar and calories. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since a Frappuccino is close to nirvana on a hot and thirsty day, but still, being healthy is a good thing.
Fortunately, if you love the rewarding taste of a Frappuccino but would like to cut some of the calories, there are some things we can do to lessen the sugar hit.
Did you know?
- A Starbucks Venti (large) Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino has 590 calories.
- The same Frappuccino has 76 grams of sugar.
- A basic Venti Frappaciano contains 293 calories and 64 grams of sugar.
How to Save Calories With a Frappuccino
Although a Frappuccino is a sweet, sugary drink, it is totally forgiven for having so many calories because it is so good. However, there are some ways to save calories with the Frappuccino.
- The number one way to shave calories from a Frappuccino is to order without the whipped cream.
- Substitute whole milk with non-fat or plant-based milk like almond milk and sugar-free syrups .
- Order a “light” Frappuccino and receive your coffee with non-fat milk, sugar-free syrup, and without whipped cream.
Can a Frappuccino Be Served Without Coffee?
Yes, Frappuccino can be served without coffee when requested, although some of the attraction for Frappuccino is lost by removing caffeine. Some of the more popular flavors of coffee-less Frappacinos are:
- Vanilla bean Frappuccino (most popular without a coffee drink)
- Double chocolate chip
- Strawberry Frappuccino
- Matcha Green Tea
