A Long Macchiato is a delightful coffee drink that combines the flavors of an espresso shot with a larger amount of frothed milk or milk foam. It’s like a traditional Macchiato, but with more milk.
Here’s how to make a great Long Macchiato:
Ingredients:
Freshly roasted coffee beans
Milk
Equipment:
Espresso machine (or alternative methods for brewing espresso)
Coffee grinder
Tamper
Espresso shot glass or cup
Steam wand or milk frother
Coffee cup
Instructions:
Grind the Coffee Beans: Begin by grinding your coffee beans to a fine consistency, similar to table salt. You’ll need approximately 18-20 grams of coffee for a standard Long Macchiato.
Preheat the Equipment: Preheat your espresso machine, portafilter, and cup. This helps maintain a consistent temperature during extraction.
Pull the Espresso Shot: Dose the ground coffee into the portafilter basket. Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp them down firmly.
Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine group head and start the extraction process.
Aim for a 1-ounce (30 ml) shot of espresso. The shot should take about 25-30 seconds to extract. Adjust the grind size if necessary to achieve this extraction time.
Steam or Froth the Milk: While the espresso shot is pulling, heat a larger amount of milk in a milk frothing pitcher. You’ll need more milk than for a regular Macchiato, typically around 4-6 ounces.
Froth the Milk: Use the steam wand or milk frother to froth the milk. You should aim for a velvety, creamy texture with microfoam. Make sure to froth the milk to your desired level of creaminess.
Combine Espresso and Milk: Once the espresso shot is complete, immediately pour it into your coffee cup.
Gently pour the frothed milk over the espresso. You can choose to spoon a small amount of foam on top, or you can incorporate all the frothed milk into the Long Macchiato, based on your preference.
Optional: Flavor or Sweeten: If you prefer a flavored Long Macchiato, you can add a syrup like caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut. Sweeten to taste.
Serve and Enjoy: Your Long Macchiato is ready to be savored. It should feature a strong espresso flavor harmoniously blended with creamy, frothy milk.
A Long Macchiato offers a balanced blend of espresso and milk, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate the rich taste of coffee with a smoother texture. Quality coffee beans, precise espresso extraction, and expert milk frothing are essential for crafting an exceptional Long Macchiato.
