Caffè macchiato
Caffè macchiato is an espresso with a small amount of milk, usually foamed. In Italian, wikt:macchiato#Italian means 'stained' or 'spotted', so the literal translation of wikt:caffè macchiato#Italian is 'stained coffee' or 'marked coffee'.
History
The origin of the name macchiato stems from the difference between an espresso and an espresso with a tiny bit of milk in it; the latter was "marked". The idea is reflected in the Portuguese name for the drink: café pingado, meaning 'coffee with a drop'.
Preparation
Caffè macchiato has the highest ratio of espresso to milk of any drink made with those ingredients. The intent is that the milk moderates, rather than overwhelms, the taste of the coffee while adding a touch of sweetness. The drink is typically prepared by pouring a small amount of steamed milk directly into a single shot of espresso. One recipe calls for, about 1–2 teaspoons of milk, heated to.
Outside Italy
In Australia, the drink is referred to simply as macchiato, often shortened to just "mac", and has some variants. A traditional long macchiato is usually a double-shot of espresso with a dash of textured milk and most of the glass left empty. In Perth, a "long mac topped up" is usually a double-shot of espresso with the glass filled with textured milk. In Melbourne, a macchiato is a double-shot of espresso, a glass half-filled with water, and a dash of textured milk on top.