A caffè macchiato — espresso topped with foamed milk. Notice that this drink is only about three ounces.

Matt Roney | Contributor

With the possible exception of the caffeine content in light roast versus dark roast coffee — light roast has more! — the most common source of confusion among coffee shop customers is the difference between the two types of macchiato: the latte macchiato and the caffè macchiato.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that, with the exception of the name and the ingredients (espresso and milk), these two drinks bear little resemblance to one another.

Macchiato is an Italian word meaning “marked” or “stained.” The names of the two drinks, then, are really quite literal — a latte macchiato is marked milk, while a caffè macchiato is marked coffee.

The most common at independent cafés is the caffè macchiato, traditionally consisting of a shot or doubleshot of espresso topped with a small amount of generously foamed milk. The milk very slightly blunts the intensity of the espresso while adding a light, soft texture to the drink.

A latte macchiato that has been allowed to sit for a moment. Notice that the drink is larger, closer in size to a typical latte.

Matt Roney | Contributor

Somewhat less common in the United States, the latte macchiato is often described as an “upside-down latte.” Milk is steamed and foamed and espresso is prepared in much the same way as for a typical latte, but rather than pouring the milk into the espresso, the espresso is poured through the milk foam, forming a middle layer between the foam and the more liquid milk below. The resulting drink is very similar to a typical latte, but the layers add a visual flair when served in a clear glass.

Of the two, the latte macchiato allows for more variation. The most common — and, really, the source of all the confusion — is the caramel macchiato, created and popularized by Starbucks. It is, in actuality, a vanilla latte macchiato topped with whipped cream and caramel.

Also widely available is the iced latte macchiato, for which optionally flavored milk is poured over ice and topped with espresso. Since iced drinks are usually enjoyed through a straw, iced latte macchiatos taste more and more strongly of espresso as they are drunk.

Matt Roney is a barista at lab café and a contributor to Radio Free Chicago. He can be reached by email here.