Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
After making macchiatos for others, I decided to try one for myself for the first time the other day. Even with the splash of milk and the dollop of foam, it still only tasted like a short black to me. If I go out to a cafe Ill ask for a latte in a cappuccino cup because an 8oz latte glass is too milky. Sometimes I get what Ive asked for, sometimes something completely different! When making my own coffee I like a latte in about a 130ml cup and I can also practise my art at the same time. ;D
Why is there such a wide range of interpretations of drinks when ordering a coffee, is it lack of education or do cafe owners just make it up as they go along?
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Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
One thing that this thread has highlighted is that how certain coffees are made is up to significant interpretation.
When I do go out for coffee, I just order something from the menu. If they do a good job of it, Ill come back, if they dont, I wont.
In my opinion, a piccolo latte has more milk than a short mac, which traditionally is just a stain of textured milk.
The best thing about being behind the machine is you get to make yourself whatever you want ;-)
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
double ristretto long mac
I have liked the piccolo and short mac as well and order them around once a week. Short black though is too much for me, I need SOME milk in my coffee! :P
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Usually, when you order a coffee in Italy, you are standing at the bar, talking to the barista, and about 3 or 4 feet from the machine.
Even with my limited Italian I had no trouble getting what I wanted.
Greg
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
When I first got seriously into coffee I went through a phase of wanting "custom-made coffees" when I went to a cafe. I soon realised that it was unreasonable to expect a busy Barista to custom-make my coffee based on the explanation of the Waitress of what I said to her. I now stick exclusively to what is on the menu board, and avoid mickey mouse concoctions like long Macchiatos that are open to interpretation. If I want to drink unusual combinations, I do them at home. Is there such a thing as a long Macchiato in Italy?
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
I have should macchiato and Piccolo latte... :
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Opinion..............
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
I once received a flat white (or something to that effect) in a 150ml ceramic cup when I ordered a piccolo with a double in it from another Melbourne cafe that should know better. I sent it back and was told by the waitress that you could not fit a double piccolo in anything smaller, while the 12 year old barista gave me a dumb look.
In perth when I ordered a piccolo from another "A Lister" I got another huge drink in what was served in a cocktail glass.
I now mainly drink without milk. Can I suggest you search out some professionally made single origin coffees to try from a good cafe. Im not that into blends straight up, but love single origins - and you will too!
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
I find ordering from place to place differs greatly in terms of the language one must use to get what you want. I fear most places would look at me like I was insane if I asked for "a long mac, up-dosed restricted pour of no more than 40mls coffee, topped by a thin layer of textured milk, and a dash of cold milk to cool it all down a bit"
Was at the maling room the other day and had a massive language barrier struggle with an asian waitress. All I wanted was a flat white with a double shot in it.
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
A piccolo should be a signature beverage for any coffee establishment - so at my work we fine the grind, and run a restricted double ristretto to 20mls served in a 90ml demitasse - then top with textured milk
The coffee base should punch through the milk but not overwhelm the beverage, and should showcase the single origin (if thats what youre serving) of the coffee
For a long mac I prefer an updosed restricted pour of no more than 40mls coffee, topped by a thin layer of testured milk - and a dash of cold milk to cool it all down a bit...
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
I only get to make coffee on my machine on holidays and weekends, so one coffee is never enough. I usually have a Piccolo Latte followed immediately by a Macchiato. This is a nice combo as the Latte is a perfect first coffee of the day that doesnt fill me up with milk, and the Macchiato allows me to enjoy the essential nature of whatever bean is being used.
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Just Wow. Yes you should.Originally posted by 7076616A70776F6D040 link=1317821832/10#10 date=1317964013Im a fan of the piccolo latte, never had a macchiato though, maybe I should
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Im a fan of the piccolo latte, never had a macchiato though, maybe I should
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Had a piccolo latte this morning and I liked it! Not as bitter as a short black but a pleasant change to the more milky coffees. Thanks for the info guys.
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Re: Difference between Piccolo latte and short macchiato?
Hi all
stealing part of a post from scoots back in 2006 -
the baristas bible, Barista Techniques says that a Piccolo Latte is
"A version of a caffe latte served in a macchiato glass"
Should be based on an espresso - so 25-30ml of coffe or a ristretto- 15ml-20ml, topped with milk, and have 5mm of foam.
So being as a macchiato glass can be anywhere from 70ml to 90ml in size, I guess you could end up with a 90ml Piccolo latte.
I use a 90ml glass and find this great.
As to a macchiato -
My thoughts are it is an espresso shot "marked or stained with milk" - some will dolop a teaspoon of foam on top, some will heat milk and add a dash.
I find these two drinks are very different beasts. If you are usually a milk based coffee drinker then the piccolo will be by far the smaller step transition to espresso.
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