Latte

A macchiato is a tiny 2–3 oz drink — a shot of espresso “stained” with a small dollop of foam. A latte is 8–12 oz of espresso with lots of steamed milk and a thin microfoam layer. They are not similar drinks. The macchiato is espresso-forward and intense; the latte is milk-forward and mild. The confusion mostly comes from the Starbucks latte macchiato, which is a completely different animal from the traditional Italian espresso macchiato. ...

A cappuccino is a 5–6 oz drink with thick foam and a bold espresso flavor. A latte is 8–12 oz, creamier, and more milk-forward with only a thin layer of microfoam on top. The key differences are size, foam texture, and milk ratio — cappuccino is stronger and smaller, latte is milder and larger. Both are made with espresso and steamed whole milk. The ratio of milk to espresso is what changes everything. ...

A latte is made with a double espresso and steamed milk, with a thin layer of microfoam on top. The standard recipe is 2 oz of espresso plus 4–6 oz of steamed whole milk — silky, smooth, and milky with just enough coffee flavor to come through. A latte is one of the most forgiving espresso drinks to learn at home. The large volume of milk hides minor espresso imperfections, and the milk steaming technique is less demanding than a cappuccino. ...