Brewing guide · Updated October 15, 2026
All three can combine espresso and milk. The differences are the amount of milk, the foam and—in the case of macchiato—which version you order.
| Drink | Usual structure | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cappuccino | Espresso with steamed milk and a more noticeable foam layer | A smaller, foamier milk drink than a typical latte |
| Latte | Espresso with more steamed milk and a thinner layer of microfoam | A milkier drink with less foam than a cappuccino |
| Espresso macchiato | Espresso with a small amount of textured milk or foam | An espresso-led drink rather than a large milky coffee |
Cappuccino: more foam
A cappuccino combines espresso with steamed milk and foam. Compared with a typical latte, the foam is more prominent. Cup size and recipes vary between cafés, so an exact three-part ratio is not a universal rule.
If you like the coffee to remain noticeable but enjoy a foamy texture, a cappuccino is a useful drink to try.
Latte: more steamed milk
A caffè latte combines espresso with steamed milk and a thinner layer of microfoam. The larger milk portion usually makes it taste milkier than a cappuccino made with the same espresso dose.
The cup size matters. Two cafés may use different espresso doses or amounts of milk, so the name alone does not specify a precise recipe.
Macchiato: ask which kind
An espresso macchiato is espresso with a small addition of milk or foam. A latte macchiato is a different, milk-led drink. Some café menus also use “macchiato” for larger flavored drinks.
If you want a small espresso-led drink, ask for an espresso macchiato. Check the menu description rather than assuming every macchiato is the same size.
What you need to make them at home
For the espresso versions, you need a way to make espresso and texture milk. Compare the milk system as well as the coffee preparation: hands-on steaming and automatic frothing ask different things of you.
Use our machine comparison to check milk features on the Ninja Luxe Café Premier, Oracle Jet and Oracle Dual Boiler. A filter brewer such as Aiden does not replace an espresso-and-milk setup.
Choosing your usual drink
Keep the espresso dose similar while comparing how much milk and foam you prefer. Taste the drink before adding syrups or other flavors if you want to understand that difference.
Once you know what you like, use the machine finder and buying guide to choose a suitable routine.
Sources
Definitions checked against Breville’s recipes for latte, cappuccino and macchiato. Recipes vary by café and serving size. This guide replaces the restored article at its original URL.