What are the best coffee beans to use for a macchiato?

What coffee beans are best for a macchiato?

A medium to dark roast, usually sold as an espresso blend. A traditional macchiato is mostly espresso with a dash of milk or foam, so there is nowhere to hide weak beans. A coffee retailer’s guide recommends flavors such as dark chocolate, toasted nuts, caramel and spice, and warns that light, floral roasts often clash because their acidity combines with the milk.

What is a macchiato, exactly?

The original espresso (or caffe) macchiato is a shot of espresso stained with a small amount of milk, about 1 to 2 teaspoons, served in a small cup or glass. A latte macchiato is the reverse: steamed milk marked with espresso, served in a tall glass. Some cafes sell a larger, sweeter drink under the macchiato name, which is a different product.

How do you choose the beans?

• Roast: medium to dark. Check the bag for chocolate, nutty or caramel notes.
• Blend or single origin: blends are designed for espresso and are often easier. One retailer suggests a washed Arabica base with a fuller-bodied component such as Brazilian coffee or a little Robusta for body and crema; treat it as a style choice.
• Freshness: look for a roast date, and aim to use beans within a few weeks of roasting; the retailer cites roughly 7 to 21 days.

How should you grind and extract?

Grind fine, a little finer than table salt, use about 18 to 20 g of coffee for a double basket, and aim for a pull of roughly 25 to 30 seconds. These are a retailer’s guideline numbers, so adjust to your machine.

How do you fix a bad macchiato?

Do you need specific brand beans?

No. We do not rank brands. Pick a freshly roasted medium-dark espresso blend from a roaster you trust, try two or three, and keep the one you like.