Lol yes! Here's a chart directly from Starbucks when we launched the Latte Macchiato.Can you explain a latte vs a macchiato vs a cappuccino?
https://news.starbucks.com/uploads/images/Beverages/Espresso_Classics_low-res_2016.JPG
A latte is espresso and steamed milk. A cappuccino is very close - it's espresso and steamed milk, but with much more foam (approximately half foam, half milk).
Macchiato means "marked" - we mark the top of the drink with espresso. There are three types of macchiatos that we sell. There is an espresso macchiato - very small drink - it's just some espresso and then a dollop of foam on top (total drink is ~4 oz). Caramel macchiato - some vanilla syrup at the bottom, then steamed milk, then a good layer of foam, then you mark the foam by pouring espresso on top, and then some caramel drizzle on top. Latte macchiato - whole milk, good layer of foam, then some espresso on top (1 more shot than a caramel macchiato, for each size).
A macchiato is essentially an upside down latte. And then some people order a macchiato upside down, so you just make a latte lol.
You really see the difference between a latte and a macchiato when they're iced, obviously because you can see through the cup. A latte is consistent throughout the whole drink - the entire thing is a mixture of espresso and milk. But for a macchiato, it's layered. Milk (and possibly syrup) for the bottom 2/3rds or so, and then espresso and a tiny bit of milk/foam at the top (and CR if it's a caramel macchiato).
Then there's a flat white, which is very close to a latte. It's made with ristretto shots of espresso - essentially the same, you just push an additional button on the espresso machine and it uses a little bit less water ("restrained") so it gives a slightly different taste. We also do a little more espresso (1 more at each size) and whole milk, and we free pour it (don't use a spoon to hold back the foam) and we don't make quite as much foam when steaming it. So you can essentially think of this as a latte, with a couple modifications (ristretto, extra shot, whole milk).
Then there's an americano. It's super easy - just espresso and hot water. That's it. It gets more espresso than a latte because that's basically the entire point of the drink lol.
Chai tea latte is another common one. It's chai syrup (same number of pumps as a latte would get), half filled with hot water, then steamed milk to the top. No espresso, unless requested.
Cafe mocha (usually just called mocha) is another good one to know. It's just a latte! Seriously, same steps, so try not to think of it as a separate drink because you already know it once you know how to make a flavored latte. It's just mocha sauce, espresso, steamed milk, and whipped cream.
