National Macchiato Day

National Macchiato Day celebrates the espresso-based drink “stained” or “spotted” with milk foam. Observed annually on November 19, it offers coffee lovers an excuse to savor the balance between bold espresso and creamy milk.

The traditional espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso marked with a small amount of milk or foam. A latte macchiato reverses the proportions, adding espresso to steamed milk for a milder, layered drink. The name comes from the Italian word macchiato, meaning “stained” or “spotted.”

The macchiato’s history is often traced to Italy in the early 1930s, when milk was added to espresso to soften its strong flavor. Later variations included the sweeter caramel macchiato, made with espresso, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel drizzle. Accounts of the holiday’s beginning differ: one calendar lists 2014 as its inception year, while other sources identify November 19, 2015, when coffee enthusiasts shared their appreciation for the drink online.

How to Observe National Macchiato Day

Celebrate by ordering an espresso macchiato or latte macchiato at a café, or try preparing one at home with an espresso machine or moka pot. Compare the classic drink with a sweeter variation, such as a caramel macchiato, and invite friends to taste different styles together. You can also learn about the macchiato’s Italian name and the ways espresso and milk are combined in its various forms.

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