Cortado coffee vs Macchiato: Equal drinks?
On this occasion we will dedicate ourselves to a small duel between types of coffee preparation. For this Incapto Coffee, will make your mind travel to Italy and of course, throughout Spain. This is because today we will compare the most popular preparations from both countries. Well yes, we refer to the cut coffee and macchiato. An interesting competition that will help you decide faster when looking at the menu of your favorite cafe, bar or restaurant.
In case you didn't know, these coffees are not only famous in European territory. They also delight many palates in the United States and Australia. However, confusion does not take long to appear, since the differences are minimal.
It turns out that the macchiato is an espresso that has been cut with a big cloud of milk. A recipe very similar to that of a Cortado coffee. We will shortly explain what each preparation is about, so that you can draw your own conclusions as an expert in the field.
What is Cortado Coffee?
Our coffee journey begins in Spain, where we have the cut coffee as protagonist. Some consider this drink to be a fixed serving of textured latte. Which consists of making it smooth and soft, thanks to the steam nozzle of the coffee maker. Others assure that it is a preparation flat white or latte. But there are those who say that this will depend on the client's decision. What a confusion.
As you will see, there are a lot of opinions regarding the cut. This does not mean that it is not a basic product on a cafe menu. But since there is so much variety, it could stop appearing at any time.
As for its origins, very little is known about this delicious preparation. Only it comes from the Spanish region of the Basque Country. Its name is due to the way the milk “cuts” that intensity so characteristic of espresso. At the same time, the acidity is reduced without leaving aside its coffee flavor.
The correct way to serve it
To do it like a pro, you can go traditional. It consists of including little foam and a 1:1 ratio of milk for each shot of espresso. During the process, the milk begins to texture until a very light foam is formed. This happens before adding the espresso.
Finally, it is served in a small glass with a metal base similar to a ring. This extends to a handle of the same material. In fact, its physical appearance is often confused with an Australian or New Zealand flat white. Even with a macchiato or a piccolo latte.
On the other hand, Nino Tusell, owner of a roastery in Barcelona, called Tusell Tostadores, explains that in Spain a cut is a “shot” of espresso, with a little milk. Whose proportion may be 1:1 or 1:0.5. Much of the time it contains less milk than coffee.
A fact that cannot go unnoticed by those who intend to travel to Spain soon, since probably when they go to request a cut coffee, served it this way and with these traditional proportions. But if you order it in any other country, you will see that you will find different versions.
Coffee cut abroad
As we have pointed out. Around the world, cafes, bars and restaurants offer a different version of Cortado coffee. Something that will depend on the client's preferences. In case you didn't know, this drink is originally just black coffee and a touch of milk, either hot or cold.
But as people began to order it in various places, the cut took an impressive turn. Now it was an espresso with a small amount of textured milk.
In the place where barista Camilo Cárdenas works, in Saudi Arabia, they offer a double espresso and textured milk. At first glance it is much smaller than a flat white. While in Malaysia, according to what was explained by roaster Adrian Valentine Yong, from Mountain Coffee Roasters, indicates that he has encountered clients who have different ways of interpreting the cut. For example, there are those who ask for a espresso macchiato: which is a double espresso with a touch of milk. There are also those who order a flat white (double espresso with hot milk). Or those who want half and half, that is, equal parts of cream and coffee.
In the case of Costa Rica, we can find it as an espresso plus an ounce of hot milk. Which is equivalent to approximately 30 ml according to the European system. While in Japan the recipe is different: baristas usually prepare 1:1 espresso and textured milk. As if that were not enough, an espresso can be as small as three ounces (88 ml) or as large as 16 ounces (473 ml). This as long as the proportion of coffee with milk remains the same.
What do we know by coffee macchiato?
Its name translated into Spanish can cause us a bit of confusion. As if that were not enough, if we use it incorrectly, we run the risk of being served two completely different coffees. Believe it or not, when we order a coffee macchiato we would be asking for a picado.
There are probably differences between Cortado and Macchiato, but if we take a closer look, both coffees turn out to be the same. Simply put, an espresso that has been cut with a cloud of milk. However, the way of preparation may vary.
When we talk about a traditional coffee macchiato, we would be talking about a 'marked' espresso, to which a spoonful of foamed milk is added. Typically, it is served in a typical espresso cup or glass. This recipe fits perfectly for those who want to escape the acidity of black coffee.
If you travel to Italy or even know some Italians, you will notice that they do not eat macchiato on a full stomach. Likewise, they are not one to order a drink with milk after 12 p.m. Usually the right time to enjoy a delicious macchiato cup It's in the morning. This is your main option to start the day, leaving the famous espresso in the background.
Another interesting fact is that a latte macchiato or coffee with milk are different drinks. The first is prepared with ½ shot of espresso, or even less. And milk is normally added to coffee, and not the other way around, as is the case with latte.
Characteristics between latte macchiato and caffé macchiato
This turns out to be one of the big questions. but Incapto Coffee, will be in charge of helping you with this to avoid ordering a coffee completely different from the one you had already imagined.
For example, in a coffee macchiato the milk is in a lower proportion within the drink, because what this will do is stain (macchiato) your espresso coffee. In the case of latte, it is quite the opposite. Here milk is the protagonist, so there is a greater proportion. In this case it is the espresso that will stain the milk you will drink.
Are the Cortado and the Macchiato the same?
In some regions of Spain, it is understood that the coffee is 50% espresso. While the other 50% is steam-heated milk. When serving it, they will do so in a much smaller cup than the coffee with milk.
Several experts on the subject assure that this would be more of a small coffee with milk than a cut one. To find a difference, the macchiato may have much more foam. Even if we order it anywhere in the world, what is known as a cut can arrive at our table.
Although they have different preparations, sometimes it can be the same drink, since the ingredients do not vary but the quantities do.
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