Espresso fans understand its importance in various flavors. An espresso reflects the true taste and texture of coffee. Here, I discuss the top-class flavors that use espresso as the base drink.
All four flavors, Macchiato, latte, cappuccino, and Americano, have distinct features that make their taste and texture unique. It is important to compare all the differences among these drinks.
What makes these four flavors unique?
Like most flavors, these four use espresso as the base drink. The strength and robustness of espresso are the essence of these coffees.
They use different amounts of milk in the coffee. A slight difference in milk makes a huge variance in the taste and texture of the drink.
So, adding milk is crucial to differentiate these drinks since they all use espresso.
Comparison Table: Macchiato vs latte vs cappuccino vs Americano
| Feature | Macchiato | Latte | Cappuccino | Americano |
| Meaning | “Stained” or “spotted” in Italian | “Milk” in Italian | Refers to “hood” of milk foam | Named after American soldiers |
| Espresso Base | 1 shot | 1–2 shots | 1–2 shots | 1–2 shots |
| Milk Content | Just a dollop of foamed milk | Steamed milk + light foam | Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, foam | No milk (unless added optionally) |
| Foam Layer | Thin, just a spoonful of foam | Light foam on top | Thick, airy foam on top | None |
| Milk-to-Coffee Ratio | 9:1 coffee to milk | 1:3 coffee to milk | 1:1 coffee to milk | 1:2 espresso to hot water |
| Serving Size | 2–3 oz. (60–90 ml) | 8–12 oz. (240–360 ml) | 6 oz. (180 ml) | 8–12 oz. (240–360 ml) |
| Flavor Strength | Strong, intense, bold espresso flavor | Mild, creamy, mellow | Balanced between strong and creamy | Smooth but strong coffee flavor |
| Caffeine (approx.) | 60–120 mg | 60–120 mg | 60–120 mg | 60–120 mg |
| Texture | Bold with a slight creaminess | Very creamy and smooth | Frothy and creamy | Thin, water-like texture |
| Calories (without sugar) | 10–20 | 100–150 | 60–120 | 10–15 |
| Cup Type | Espresso shot glass | Tall glass or ceramic cup | Small ceramic cup | Tall glass or ceramic mug |
| Best For | Espresso lovers who want a slight milk | Milk lovers wanting a soft coffee flavor | Balance seekers between milk and espresso | Black coffee drinkers who avoid milk |
Why is Espresso the main ingredient in different coffee flavors?
No one can deny the role of espresso in many coffee flavors. Espresso is a strong, bitter, and concentrated cup of coffee.
However, there is some difference in the amount of espresso they add.
Check the difference among Americano vs Espresso vs coffee.
- Macchiato
A macchiato usually has one espresso shot as the base drink.
- Americano
An Americano is made with two espresso shots. However, you can add only one espresso shot.
- Cappuccino
This drink includes one or two espresso shots, depending on the individual’s personal preference..
- Latte
Another flavor with two espresso shots as the base.
Difference in other ingredients
Espresso is the main ingredient; however, there are certain differences in adding water, steamed, and foamed milk.
A flavor like Americano only adds water and no milk, whereas the other only adds milk. Here is the complete detail.
- Macchiato
This flavor adds espresso and milk; however, only a splash of milk. Espresso is the dominant drink, and steamed milk is used in a slight amount only to change the texture.
A Macchiato cup has a coffee-to-milk ratio of 9:1.
- Cappuccino
The Cappuccino has a more balanced coffee-to-milk ratio. However, adding steamed and foamed milk doubles the volume of espresso.
It contains one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foamed milk.
- Latte
A milk-dominant flavor. It has a 1:3 ratio of coffee to milk; some prefer a 1:4 ratio.
- Americano
Unlike the other three, the Americano adds no milk. Americano has one espresso shot and double the volume of hot water.
What difference in serving size?
Since all drinks vary in their milk-to-coffee or water-to-coffee ratios, they have different serving sizes.
The serving size is also an important factor in understanding the differences in these coffee flavors.
Latte has the largest serving size, followed by Americano. The Cappuccino comes in third, and the Macchiato has the smallest serving size.
- Latte serving size
A latte is typically served in an 8 to 12 ounce size, but it can be as large as 16 ounces. (240 to 360 ml)
- Americano serving size
It usually serves in an 8 oz. size but can go up to a 12 oz. size. (240 to 360 ml)
- Macchiato serving size
Macchiato is served in a 2 or 3-ounce cup size. (60 to 90 ml)
- Cappuccino serving size
A 6-ounce cup is the typical size for a cappuccino (160 to 180 ml)
Flavor profile: Which drink is the strongest?
Every flavor has its distinct taste. It depends on what type of flavor you prefer.
- Cappuccino
Cappuccino has a good balance of steamed, frothed milk and espresso. It tastes creamy and strong at the same time.
The bitterness of espresso is reduced by the milk. This drink has a great combination of milk and espresso.
- Latte
It tastes creamy and smooth, with a hint of espresso bitterness. A fan of milk with espresso can enjoy this milky, creamy taste with espresso.
- Macchiato
If you love the strong taste of espresso with only a gulp of milk, the Macchiato is the best choice. It has the robust, bitter taste of espresso with a slight creaminess.
- Americano
Americano is the strongest among all these flavors. It has espresso with the addition of water, making it less intense and bitter.
If you love espresso but want it to be less robust, an Americano can be your choice.
Macchiato vs latte vs cappuccino vs Americano: Which of these flavors has fewer calories?
Most prefer to check the calorie count of a drink before going to drink it. Among these flavors, Latte has the highest calories.
Cappuccino also has higher calories than the other two. A macchiato has slightly more calories than an Americano.
- Latte calories
Latte has the most calories per serving compared to other flavors. A single glass of latte has around 140 to 160 calories.
- Cappuccino Calories
Cappuccino has fewer calories than a latte, but it has more calories than an Americano and a Macchiato.
A cup of cappuccino has around 100 to 120 calories.
- Macchiato Calories
You can enjoy a creamy flavor with fewer calories in a Macchiato. A Macchiato cup has around 20 calories.
- Americano Calories
It has no milk or any other syrup, so Americano has the fewest calories. An Americano coffee cup contains 10 calories.
Which coffee flavor has the least caffeine?
The caffeine depends on how many cups of espresso shots are added to a drink.
If you add one espresso shot to any of these flavors, it will have 63 mg of caffeine. And if you prefer two espresso shots, it will be 126 mg of caffeine.
Macchiato vs latte vs cappuccino vs Americano: How do these flavors serve globally?
These flavors have no comparison when it comes to taste, texture, and aroma. Every country approaches differently to these drinks.
Let’s see how Americans see these flavors and how Italians approach them inversely.
- Latte
In Italy, latte is a glass of milk, so you need to say Caffe latte.
In America, ask for a latte when you want a milk-dominated drink with an espresso shot.
- Cappuccino
Like many countries in Italy, A cappuccino cup is preferred in the morning.
You can enjoy it throughout the day in America.
- Macchiato
In Italy, you order a cup of espresso with a hint of milk on top.
However, in America, many similar flavors are available in Starbucks.
- Americano
The Italian drink became more famous in America due to the dilution of espresso.
Check the difference: Espresso vs Americano vs Cappuccino vs Latte
Final thoughts: Which coffee flavor is a standout?
You can’t pick one flavor over the other, since every drink has certain features.
Every individual has different priorities when it comes to preferring any coffee flavor. Here is my choice among these flavors.
I pick a macchiato if I crave something strong with a splash of milk.
Other hand, I pick if I want a milky flavor with some espresso latte is the first choice.
When I want a less intense espresso, I favor an Americano.
For a balanced drink with an equal amount of milk to coffee, a Cappuccino is the first choice.